Microsoft Is Offering Microsoft 365 and LinkedIn Premium Free for One Year: Check Eligibility & How to Get It

Microsoft is offering eligible students a way to access two commonly paid tools for free for an entire year. If you’re currently enrolled in higher education, you can unlock Microsoft 365 Premium and LinkedIn Premium Career at zero cost, as long as you sign up before the deadline.

Here’s how the offer works, who it’s meant for, and what you should keep in mind before signing up.

Step 1: Check If You’re Eligible

This offer is only for higher education students. To qualify, you’ll need:

• A valid college or university email address
• A Microsoft account linked to that email

Microsoft uses your academic email to verify student status. If verification fails, the offer won’t activate. The deal is also not available in all countries, so availability depends on where you’re signing up from.

Step 2: Sign Up Before the Deadline

Once eligibility is confirmed, students can activate both subscriptions for 12 months. Sign-up must be completed by February 28, and Microsoft notes that availability is limited.

After activation, you’ll get immediate access to both services without being charged upfront.

Step 3: Use Microsoft 365 for Coursework and Daily Tasks

The Microsoft 365 Premium plan covers the tools most students already use for day-to-day work. That includes apps for writing assignments, building presentations, managing notes, and storing files in the cloud.

Beyond the core apps, the plan also includes security features across devices and access to AI-powered tools like Copilot, which can help with drafting, summarising, and organising work.

For students juggling multiple classes and projects, having everything under one subscription can simplify things.

Step 4: Use LinkedIn Premium for Internships and Job Applications

The LinkedIn Premium Career subscription focuses on job search and early career planning. Once activated, students can:

• See who’s viewed their profile, including recruiters
• Compare their profile with other applicants
• Access company insights across hundreds of thousands of listings
• Message recruiters or hiring managers using monthly InMail credits
• Use AI-assisted tools to draft outreach messages

This is especially useful for students actively applying for internships, placements, or entry-level roles.

Step 5: Decide What to Do After 12 Months

This is a free trial period, not a lifetime student benefit. After 12 months, both subscriptions will automatically switch to paid plans unless cancelled.

If you don’t plan to continue, you’ll need to cancel both subscriptions separately through your Microsoft and LinkedIn account settings before the renewal date.

Who This Offer Makes Sense For

This bundle is most useful for students who are:

• Writing frequent assignments or research papers
• Preparing presentations and group projects
• Actively applying for internships or jobs
• Building a professional profile while still studying

If you’re not using these tools regularly, the free year still gives you a chance to test them without committing to a monthly fee.