OU students now have free access to Microsoft Office 365, which normally costs students $79.99
This fall, Ohio University is saving all students up to $80 with access to a free download of Microsoft Office 365.
Microsoft Office 365 Pro Plus Student Advantage is now available to OU students free of charge through the Bobcat Depot.
This software package is a cloud subscription that includes Microsoft Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word for MacOS and Windows. The programs OneNote, Publisher and Access are additionally available for Windows. Versions of the programs can also be downloaded on iPads and other mobile devices, such as iPhones and Androids.
“It is a new feature offered through Microsoft Office to schools that already have a site license for its employees,” said Sean O’Malley, information technology communications manager.
The download is available at www.ohio.edu under the students tab, or through a link provided in an email sent out to all students, which is how most students have found out about the free download.
Any student currently taking classes can download and use the software for free, and it will remain active up until a year after having enrolled in classes.
Many students have taken advantage of the free software download.
“Within the first two days of having sent the announcement out, we saw 7,500 unique visits to the download page,” O’Malley said.
Madelon Dickerson, a freshman studying in University College, was paying out of her own pocket to buy Office 365. She said it’s “extremely helpful” that she can download the software for free.
On Microsoft’s website, Office 365 costs $79.99 to use for four years, even at a discounted student price. “This is a great service for students to get access to without having to pay cash up front to do it,” O’Malley said.
“It hasn’t been available since I’ve been at school here, and if I didn’t have it on my computer, I would definitely want to be a part of it seeing how expensive it is,” said Jessica Wuertz, a fifth-year senior. “A lot of people don’t know about it so (OU) should definitely spread the word.”
Taylor Lucas, a junior, said she wishes OU would’ve allowed students to start downloading Office 365 before school started. OU announced students could start downloading on Aug. 27, two days after classes began.
“They sent it out (too) late because most people already need it by (the start of college),” she said.
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