Overview
The 2026 Back to School offer provides eligible students with four free monthly billing periods of ChatGPT Plus, including access to ChatGPT Work and other Plus features. Eligible students verify their enrollment through SheerID and claim the offer while signed in to the ChatGPT account where they want it applied.
Eligibility
The offer is available to current full-time and part-time college and graduate students enrolled at eligible U.S. degree-granting institutions. SheerID determines whether your institution and enrollment are eligible.
Depending on your school, SheerID may verify your enrollment through trusted records, ask you to sign in through your school's single sign-on system, or request supporting documentation.
Claim the offer
Open the Back to School offer page in a web or mobile web browser.
Sign in to the ChatGPT account where you want the offer applied.
Follow the SheerID prompts to verify your current enrollment.
Return to the offer flow after verification and complete activation. If you are starting a new Plus subscription, add a valid payment method when prompted.
The email address you use with SheerID may be different from the email address on your ChatGPT account. The offer is applied to the ChatGPT account that is signed in during the claim flow, so confirm that you are using the intended account before you begin.
Billing and subscription eligibility
New users and existing monthly Plus subscribers billed directly by ChatGPT can claim the offer if they meet the student eligibility requirements.
Subscriptions billed through the Apple App Store or Google Play are not supported while they remain store-billed. The offer cannot be applied to a store-billed subscription.
A valid payment method is required to activate the offer. You will not be charged for the four free monthly billing periods. After the promotional period, the subscription renews at $20 per month unless you cancel.
Offer terms
Claim the offer by October 31, 2026.
Redeem the offer once.
Receive four free monthly billing periods beginning on the claim date.
Provide a valid payment method when required during activation.
Continue at $20 per month after the promotional period unless you cancel.
If you cancel, your Plus access continues through the end of the current monthly billing period. Any remaining promotional months are forfeited when the cancellation takes effect.
FAQ
Does my ChatGPT account need to use my school email?
No. The email address you use with SheerID may be different from the email address on your ChatGPT account. Complete verification while signed in to the ChatGPT account where you want the offer applied.
Can I claim the offer if I already have ChatGPT Plus?
Yes, if your monthly Plus subscription is billed directly by ChatGPT and you otherwise meet the eligibility requirements. Subscriptions billed through the Apple App Store or Google Play are not supported while they remain store-billed.
Can I claim the offer if I used a previous student promotion?
Yes, if you otherwise meet the current eligibility requirements. Participation in an earlier student promotion does not by itself prevent you from claiming this offer.
Do I need to enter a payment method?
Yes. A valid payment method is required to activate the offer. You will not be charged during the four free monthly billing periods. After the promotional period, the subscription renews at $20 per month unless you cancel.
What happens if I cancel before the four free months are over?
Your Plus access continues through the end of the current monthly billing period. After the cancellation takes effect, you will not receive any remaining promotional months.
Can I redeem the offer more than once?
No. The offer can be redeemed once.
What should I do if SheerID cannot verify my enrollment?
Visit the SheerID support form for help with verification, school listings, or document review.
What should I do if SheerID verified me but the offer was not applied?
Confirm that you are signed in to the same ChatGPT account that entered the offer flow. Then, visit the offer link and click Claim free offer. This will take you to the checkout step if you have not previously completed checkout, or show you the account info that the promo is currently applied to.
How can I change the account the promo was applied to?
We are unable to change the account the promotion was applied to.