Google AI Plus free for one year for university students in 140+ regions outside the US

6-step application process for the Google AI Plus student benefit

Eligible university students in 140 or more regions where Google AI Plus is available, excluding some regions such as the US, must complete both student verification and the subscription process by the benefit expiration date, December 31, 2026, to receive the Google AI Plus student benefit. The free period lasts 12 months from the date the benefit is received, meaning the date the subscription process is completed. To remain eligible, students must meet the eligibility requirements throughout the benefit period.

Benefits provided and usage criteria Includes access to Gemini Omni, a Gemini usage limit twice as high as that of users without an AI plan, 400 GB of storage, and more. Student benefits may have different usage limits from paid plan memberships, and limits may change without prior notice due to capacity constraints and other factors.

Supported regions and availability in Korea The included plan depends on the country or region where an eligible higher education institution is located. The Google AI Plus student offer is for eligible students in the more than 140 regions where Google AI Plus is available, excluding the United States, Bolivia, Albania, Canada, Macao, Hong Kong, and Tunisia. Other requirements must also be met, including being at least 18 years old, using a personal account, and having the country of current residence and study match the country of the Google Play and payments profile. Google determines eligibility at its sole discretion. South Korea is not on the list of excluded regions, and Google AI Plus is generally available there (₩7,500 per month according to the Google One Korea pricing page on November 12, 2026). However, there is no official list that explicitly names South Korea as an eligible country, so check whether the offer applies at one.google.com/ai-student.

Products not available in Korea and application limits The 12-month Google AI Pro free trial available only in the United States and the bundle of Google AI Pro and YouTube Premium student plans are not available to students enrolled at higher education institutions in South Korea. Each student can use the benefit only once.

1. Step 1: Check your personal Google Account, age, and country settings

   Sign in to the personal Gmail account (@gmail.com) you will use to claim the benefit. University or school accounts cannot be used, including school-issued Workspace for Education accounts.

   1. You must be at least 18 years old and verify your Google Account age at myaccount.google.com/age-verification.
   2. Supervised accounts managed through Family Link cannot be used.
   3. If you belong to a family group, you are not eligible, but you can apply if you leave the shared plan first. Members who have not created a shared Google One family plan must leave their current family group or sign up with another personal Google account.
   4. Enterprise buyers and subscribers to discounted Pixel bundles are excluded.
   5. Make sure that your Google Play country (Android and web) or your Google payments profile at payments.google.com (iPhone) matches the country where you currently live and study.
2. Step 2: Check how existing Google One subscriptions and trials are handled

   Both new members and existing Google One members can apply, with the exception of family group members (unless they previously left a shared plan) and members through third-party partners, Pixel Pass, or Google Fi. Existing Google One subscriptions billed through Google Play can be switched directly to the student plan during signup, without canceling first. If you subscribe to Google One through a third-party partner or affiliate, such as the Apple App Store, Google Fi, Pixel Pass, or a mobile carrier, you are not eligible and must cancel your existing plan before signing up.

   1. If you sign up for the student benefit while using another Google One extended trial, your existing benefit will be canceled and replaced with the new membership.
   2. If Google AI Pro members switch to the student Google AI Plus trial, their Google AI Pro membership remains active until the end of the current billing cycle.
   3. If Google AI Ultra members switch to the student benefit, their Google AI Ultra membership remains active until the end of the current billing cycle.
   4. Switching to the trial version of your current Google AI subscription immediately changes your benefits to the trial benefits.
   5. If you are currently using the Google AI Pro student trial offered in 2025 and early 2026, you may be eligible for a limited-time discount on a regular Google AI plan when your 12-month trial ends. Students can check at one.google.com/ai-student, and non-students at one.google.com/ai.
3. Step 3: Select the student benefit at one.google.com/ai-student

   On your device, go to the official benefits page at one.google.com/ai-student to claim the benefit. First, make sure you are signed in to the personal Google Account you will use to sign up, then select the student benefit.

   If you run into problems, try again in another browser, such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. If a weak campus Wi-Fi or mobile signal causes a timeout on the page or during verification, switch networks and open one.google.com/ai-student in a new tab. If the page still will not load on your phone, try a private or incognito window or a desktop computer. When reopening the page in a different browser, window, or device, make sure you are signed in to the same personal Google account before selecting the student offer.

4. Step 4: Verify your student status with SheerID and submit proof of enrollment if requested

   If prompted, verify your enrollment at a higher education institution through SheerID, a third-party verification service. Google may request specific information for verification purposes. The date of birth entered in SheerID must match the date of birth on your Google Account.

   SheerID document reviews usually take a few minutes, but may take several days during the back-to-school season. The number of verification attempts is limited, so do not resubmit the form repeatedly. If you still cannot verify your documents after 3 attempts and see the error “Maximum number of verification attempts reached,” trying again with the same account will not help. For further assistance, contact SheerID customer support using the email address or support form listed under “Maximum number of verification attempts reached” in the Google One student benefits help article (support.google.com/googleone/answer/17422238?hl=ko).

   1. If SheerID asks you to upload proof of enrollment, the document must clearly show your full name matching the name entered on the form, the university name or official logo, and a date showing your current enrollment status. The full list of acceptable proof of enrollment documents is available in the SheerID student FAQ or from SheerID customer support.
   2. If your student ID has no expiration date (the “does not meet date requirements” error), upload a document showing a date from the current academic year instead, such as a tuition receipt, class schedule, or student portal screenshot. You can also upload multiple documents together, such as a photo of your student ID and a class schedule, to prove your current-year student status.
   3. If your student ID only shows your initials (the “name does not match” error), re-enter your name on the SheerID form exactly as it appears on the card, or upload an enrollment certificate or tuition payment receipt showing your full name.
   4. The original file is best. Place physical documents flat in a bright spot without glare, with all four corners visible, and take a photo. If camera photos won’t upload from your phone, upload a screenshot or use a laptop.
   5. If your student details have already been used to claim the benefit on another Google Account, you will see a “Verification limit exceeded” error. Sign in to the Google Account you used to claim the benefit the first time.
5. Step 5: Add a payment method and complete the subscription process

   After verifying your student status, you must sign up for Google One using the Google Account you used for verification with SheerID. Student verification cannot be transferred to another account. If an error occurs when you apply for the benefit, you may be signed in to a different Google Account from the one you used before verifying your student status. Sign in with the Google Account you used when you first selected the student plan and were redirected to SheerID, then apply.

   To sign up, you need a Google Payments account with an eligible payment method registered. If you have not added a payment method yet, complete the subscription process by adding one and taking any other required steps.

6. Step 6: Check for automatic conversion and manage cancellation before the end of the 12-month period

   On the day the 12-month benefit period ends, you will automatically switch to the regular paid Google AI Plus plan, except where applicable laws require consent. You will be automatically charged the standard monthly subscription price for your country each month until you cancel the subscription. The regular price of Google AI Plus in South Korea is ₩7,500 per month, based on the Google One Korea pricing page as of November 12, 2026 (officially announced as $4.99 per month or the equivalent in local currency). Any planned changes will be notified before the switch.

   You can cancel your subscription at any time. To avoid being charged the standard monthly subscription fee, cancel before the benefit period ends. If you cancel during the benefit period, your membership may remain active until the period ends.

   1. If you switch to a paid plan yourself during the 12-month trial period, you will be upgraded to the new paid plan immediately and cannot downgrade your membership back to the trial plan.
   2. If you exceed your Google Account storage limit during the benefit period and cancel your subscription, you cannot save new items until you delete files or purchase a Google One membership.
   3. Benefits may not be transferred to others or resold, and cannot be used with other Google One benefits except as specified in the terms. If you violate the terms, the benefit will be void and Google may cancel your trial subscription.

Items to check before completing your subscription

1. Make sure you’re signed in to a personal Gmail account (@gmail.com), not a school account
2. Make sure this is the same Google Account you used for SheerID verification
3. Make sure the country in Google Play (Android or web) or your Google payment profile at payments.google.com (iPhone) matches your current country of residence or study
4. Confirm that after the benefit period ends, you will be charged the standard monthly subscription price in Korea at that time each month until you cancel, except where consent is required under applicable laws (the standard list price is ₩7,500 per month, according to the Google One Korea pricing page as of November 12, 2026)
5. Confirm that you must cancel before the 12-month benefit period ends if you do not want to be charged.