Microsoft is giving away a full year of Microsoft 365 Personal, including its AI-powered Copilot assistant, to every college student in the United States.
TLDR:
- US college students can get Microsoft 365 Personal free for one year, including AI Copilot and Office apps.
- After the first year, students are eligible for a 50% discount, cutting the monthly cost to around $3.50.
- The offer is part of a larger AI education push tied to the White House’s AI Education Task Force.
- Students must sign up by October 31, 2025 using a verified .edu email or student ID.
What Happened?
Microsoft has announced a major education initiative, offering all US college students a free one-year subscription to Microsoft 365 Personal, including access to Copilot, the company’s AI-powered assistant. The offer, unveiled at the White House AI Education Task Force meeting, is aimed at expanding access to AI tools and boosting digital skills among young learners.
AI is the defining technology of our time, and how we empower people to use it will shape our nation’s future.
— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) September 4, 2025
Thank you to @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS for making this a national priority.
At Microsoft, we’re committed to doing our part, with new initiatives to empower… pic.twitter.com/2MBnge2CHx
A Big Win for Students: What’s Included?
This special offer is available to any college student in the US, including those at community colleges. To get the free subscription, students simply need to verify their eligibility using a .edu email address, student ID, or school transcript.
Once enrolled, students gain access to:
- Full desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook
- 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage
- Copilot, Microsoft’s AI assistant integrated across Office apps
- Microsoft Defender for added security
The AI Copilot is the standout feature here. It can summarize documents, generate content, assist in emails, and even analyze data in Excel. These tools are designed not just for schoolwork but to help students develop job-ready AI skills.
Strategic Timing and Competitive Pricing
Microsoft is offering the promotion until October 31, 2025, which ties into the back-to-school season. Once the free year ends, students can continue their subscription at 50% off, reducing the price from $6.99 to just $3.50 per month. This undercuts competitors like Google Workspace and appeals directly to budget-conscious students.
For context, Microsoft 365 Personal typically costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually, making this a high-value giveaway. Unlike the education versions tied to school domains, this offer applies to personal Microsoft accounts, giving students flexibility and ownership.
Tied to a Bigger AI Education Push
CEO Satya Nadella made it clear this move is more than a giveaway. “AI is the defining technology of our time, and how we empower people to use it will shape our country’s future,” Nadella said during the announcement.
This rollout is part of Microsoft’s commitments under the Presidential AI Challenge and Executive Order on AI Education. Other related efforts include:
- $1.25 million in educator grants
- Free LinkedIn AI courses for teachers, students, and job seekers
- Broader integration of Copilot into educational platforms
The company has also partnered with universities to bring Copilot into classrooms, helping students build skills that are increasingly valuable in the workplace.
What TechKV Thinks?
I think this is a brilliant and strategic move by Microsoft. Giving away their flagship productivity suite and AI tools is not just generous – it’s smart. They’re building early loyalty among millions of students who will soon enter the workforce. And by tying it to personal accounts, Microsoft ensures these students take their tools with them even after graduation.
Plus, the timing is perfect. The education sector is finally embracing AI, and Microsoft is positioning itself at the heart of that shift. If you’re a college student, there’s no reason not to grab this. Just be sure to sign up before October 31.
