College students enjoying reduced prices on AI software such as Gemini and Grammarly for their back-to-school needs.
In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI), major colleges and universities are integrating AI tools into their academic landscape. One such institution is The Ohio State University (OSU), which has launched the AI Fluency Initiative. This programme requires all undergraduate students, starting from the class of 2029, to develop skills in effectively applying AI in their fields [2][5].
The AI Fluency Initiative aims to equip students with AI competencies that will support their academic and professional success while monitoring the educational impacts of AI usage [1]. OSU does not endorse or approve specific AI tools by name for mandatory use; instead, it encourages student engagement with AI under faculty guidance and research to evaluate benefits and risks [1][5].
Companies like Google offer advanced AI tools tailored for students. The Google AI Pro plan, for instance, features models like Gemini 2.5 Pro, NotebookLM (an AI thinking companion), and coding assistants like Jules, and is available for free to college students in certain countries [3]. These tools enhance research, writing, organization, and coding activities but are not specifically affiliated with or mandated by OSU.
Other universities, such as Boise State, Wake Forest, and San Diego State, have been using Google's NotebookLM and Gemini [6]. Microsoft 365, with its Office apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, along with 1TB of cloud storage, and Copilot, also caters to students. Microsoft offers a 50% discount on Office 365 subscriptions for students, including access to Copilot [7].
Grammarly, Adobe, and Otter.ai also offer discounts for students. Grammarly provides a 40% discount, Adobe a 57% discount, and Otter.ai a 20% discount on its Pro monthly and annual plans for nonprofit educational institutions, accredited colleges, and most school districts [8].
In addition to these tools, some colleges may offer certain Adobe apps, like Photoshop, for free as part of the curriculum. Otter.ai, marketed as a business solution for collaborating, recording, and summarizing meetings, can also be useful for students in a lecture-heavy environment [9].
OpenAI currently offers GPT-5 for free to everyone, and it's possible for some colleges to provide students with access to ChatGPT [10]. However, OpenAI's two-month free subscription for students that ran from March to May of 2025 is no longer valid [11].
Notion AI, another AI tool, offers a 50% discount on Notion AI for eligible students, but the process to apply the discount can be complicated [12]. Notion AI operates as a workspace assistant that helps users summarize, organize, and remember data.
As AI tools become more prevalent in education, it's important to assess the need and only get the AI tools that are necessary. When using AI for educational purposes, it's crucial to ensure that the tools align with the educational objectives and are used in a manner that supports, rather than hinders, learning.
- The Google AI Pro plan, which includes models like Gemini 2.5 Pro, NotebookLM, and coding assistants such as Jules, can enhance research, writing, organization, and coding activities for students at a discounted rate in certain countries, though it is not specifically endorsed by The Ohio State University's (OSU) AI Fluency Initiative.
- Microsoft 365, with its Office apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 1TB of cloud storage, along with the Copilot tool, offers a 50% discount on subscriptions for students, catering to their academic and research needs.
- Other universities, such as Boise State, Wake Forest, and San Diego State, have been using Google's NotebookLM and Gemini, demonstrating the increasing use of AI tools in education across institutions.
