Microsoft Word is one of the most popular word processing programs available. As part of the Microsoft Office suite, it offers robust tools for creating professional documents.
However, Microsoft Office and Word do not come cheap. A standard Microsoft 365 Personal subscription costs $69.99 per year. For students, this recurring expense can really add up.
Fortunately, Microsoft offers generous student discounts to make its products more affordable for learners. With a valid school email address, students can obtain Microsoft Word at heavily reduced prices or even for free.
This article will explain who qualifies for Microsoft student discounts, what discounts are available, and step-by-step instructions for claiming an academic discount on Word.
Who Qualifies for a Microsoft Student Discount?
Microsoft student discounts are available to a wide range of academic community members, including:
- K-12 students aged 13 and older
- Higher education students
- Faculty and staff at accredited academic institutions
- Parents purchasing for a qualified student
To qualify, you must have a school-issued email address from an eligible academic institution. This .edu email will be used to verify your current student or academic status when claiming the discount.
What Discounts Are Available?
The main student discounts Microsoft offers are:
- Up to 10% off Microsoft 365 subscriptions and Office products
- Free access to web-based Office apps
- Free 1-year subscription to the full Microsoft 365 suite
With a student discount, you can obtain a personal Microsoft 365 subscription with access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and more for only $59.99 per year.
Meanwhile, Office 365 Education is entirely free for students with a school email address. This includes web access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Get Microsoft Word Student Discount
Follow these simple steps to score academic savings on Microsoft Word:
Step 1: Verify Your School Email
Go to Microsoft Office 365 Education and enter your valid school email address, then select Get started.
This will confirm you are eligible to access Office 365 for free as a student.
Step 2: Access Web-Based Office Apps
Once your school email is verified, you can access free web-based versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote online.
Start using them right away to process, analyze, and present data for your schoolwork.
Step 3: Install Full Office Suite (Optional)
For the full-featured Office experience, you can download and install Office desktop apps on up to 5 PCs or Macs and on other mobile devices.
The apps will automatically connect to your free Office 365 Education subscription.
Step 4: Get Microsoft 365 Subscription (Optional)
In addition to free Office web apps, students can save up to 10% on a Microsoft 365 subscription. This grants access to full Office apps on multiple devices, 1 TB cloud storage on OneDrive, and advanced security features.
To get the subscription discount:
- Go to the Microsoft Store education offers
- Sign in with your Microsoft account
- Click the “Shop Now” button
- Find the Microsoft 365 subscription option and add it to your cart
- Proceed through checkout and the student discount will apply automatically
And that’s it! With these simple steps, you can access Microsoft Word for free or at a major discount thanks to Microsoft student promotions.
Renewing After Graduation
Unfortunately, most Microsoft student discounts and free offers expire shortly after you graduate. However, Microsoft does offer some alumni discounts to extend savings as you transition out of school.
The Microsoft Alumni Network grants continued access to free Office web apps, 5GB OneDrive storage, and a 10% discount on Microsoft 365 after graduating.
To qualify, join the alumni network using your school email address before you graduate. You can then keep accessing alumni offers for one year after you leave your academic institution.
Alternative Free Options
In addition to Microsoft Word, there are several other word processors offering free versions for students, including:
- Google Docs: Entirely free word processor with 15GB cloud storage
- WPS Office: Free lightweight Office suite for Windows and Mac
- LibreOffice: Open source Office suite similar to Microsoft Office
While Microsoft Word remains the most popular and advanced word processing software, these alternatives work well for basic document creation and editing needs. They can serve as free or low-cost options once your academic discounts expire.
Get Microsoft Office Word at Discounted Student Pricing
Taking advantage of special academic savings, students can access Microsoft Word at little to no cost. With a suite of step-by-step instructions provided here, qualifying students can verify eligibility and claim Microsoft Office deals for Word and other Office apps.
Microsoft offers unbeatable discounts on Word and Office products to remove financial barriers limiting access to essential productivity software for students. So be sure to take advantage of these exclusive promotions during your academic years.
