OpenAI has announced it will provide free access to its premium AI service, ChatGPT Plus, to eligible college students in the US and Canada for a limited time. The offer, available from March 31 through May 31, 2025, is aimed at helping students navigate final exams, with the company positioning ChatGPT as a study companion capable of aiding in research, summarization, brainstorming, writing, and editing.

Students at accredited, degree-granting institutions can redeem a two-month subscription to ChatGPT Plus, which includes access to OpenAI’s latest and most powerful model, GPT-4-turbo. According to OpenAI, around one-third of college-aged users in the U.S. are already using ChatGPT, with approximately 25% of their messages related to academic tasks.‍

AI Use in Education on the Rise

ChatGPT’s growing role in academia is reflective of a larger trend. A 2024 study found increased reliance on generative AI tools among students, particularly non-native English speakers and older learners. 

While the tools can be helpful in boosting productivity, researchers have urged universities to establish clear guidelines and provide training to ensure responsible use.

A separate 2025 Microsoft study echoed those concerns, warning that overdependence on AI may reduce critical thinking and problem-solving skills over time. The findings suggest that while AI tools like ChatGPT offer immediate benefits, they could have long-term implications on student learning and independence if not integrated thoughtfully.

A newly uploaded academic paper by Lee and colleagues supports this view. Their 2025 survey of US college students revealed that those who frequently used AI tools for academic tasks reported lower levels of critical thinking engagement. The paper recommends structured interventions by educators to promote reflective AI use and preserve essential cognitive skills.‍

Disparities in Access and Workforce Implications

OpenAI’s recent report also points to uneven adoption of ChatGPT across US states. States like California, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia lead in AI usage among college students, while others—such as West Virginia, Wyoming, and Alaska—lag behind. These disparities, OpenAI warns, could eventually contribute to unequal workforce readiness and economic outcomes.

In response, OpenAI has updated its “Economic Blueprint” with proposals aimed at making AI literacy more accessible. Recommendations include expanding 529 college savings plans to cover AI-related apprenticeships, integrating AI education into school curricula, and fostering public-private partnerships to support AI training programs.

Only one in four colleges currently offers formal AI training, despite three-quarters of higher education students expressing interest. OpenAI advocates for subsidized access to tools like ChatGPT Plus and targeted programs to address academic integrity, real-world applications, and job preparedness.

As AI becomes more entrenched in everyday life and future job markets, ensuring students from all backgrounds can access and responsibly use these tools is becoming a policy priority. By waiving fees for ChatGPT Plus during a crucial academic period, OpenAI is making a strategic push to reduce those gaps—while also gaining valuable feedback on how students are using AI to support their education.