Get on this: Google offers free AI Premium Plan to college students

Google is offering its premium AI tools to college students for free as part of a strategic push to capture the valuable student market. This move puts Google’s advanced AI capabilities into the hands of future professionals while undercutting competitors like OpenAI and Perplexity who have made similar offers. The limited-time promotion provides significant value to students while helping Google build loyalty among a key demographic.

The big picture: Google is giving all US college students free access to its Google One AI Premium plan, which normally costs $20 per month, until spring 2026.

• Students with valid .edu email addresses can sign up until June 30, 2025, gaining access to Gemini Advanced, NotebookLM Plus, and 2TB of cloud storage.
• The offer positions Google’s AI tools as academic assets that will “help you study smarter” while introducing students to the company’s expanding AI ecosystem.

Key features included: The free subscription provides access to Google’s most advanced AI tools, including several standout capabilities in Gemini Advanced.

• Deep Research generates comprehensive reports on complex topics within seconds, while Gemini Live enables voice conversations with AI where students can point their camera at objects for visual analysis.
• NotebookLM Plus allows students to upload notes and materials to create study guides, mind maps, or even generate AI podcasts from their academic content.
• The package includes Canvas for document and code refinement, Veo 2 for text-to-video generation, and the standard Google Workspace AI integrations.

Fine print: The offer comes with several eligibility requirements and limitations that students should understand.

• Participants must be 18+ US residents who will need to reverify their enrollment by August 31, maintain a Google Payments account with active payment method, and subscribe through Google Play Store (excluding Apple users).
• The promotion excludes existing Google One subscribers on higher-tier plans, users with Pixel bundles, and those who obtained Google One through third-party bundles.
• After the promotional period ends in spring 2026, students will automatically be charged the standard $20 monthly rate unless they cancel.