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Instructional and Information Technology Services (IITS)

ChatGPT

ChatGPT Edu Access
CSUSM stateside students, faculty, and staff have access to the ChatGPT Edu as part of the CSU's initiative to become the first and largest AI-empowered university system. Signing up is optional and is not required or automatic. 

To request your license, please complete the ChatGPT Edu License Request form.You will receive an email asking you to activate your license.

Once you activate your license, visit ChatGPT to access the tool. 

Important Note:

On September 1, OpenAI implemented an update to ChatGPT Edu, the version of ChatGPT used across the CSU system. This update has introduced different usage limits (a cap on how much certain features can be used before individuals must wait for those limits to reset), bringing ChatGPT Edu in line with the commercial version of ChatGPT Plus. 

If you experience any issues using ChatGPT EDU, please submit a support ticket to OpenAI. 

 

ChatGPT Logo

ChatGPT allows users to:

  • generate creative content such as narratives, poems, etc.
  • generate business and education content such as reports, emails, assignment prompts, etc.
  • generate images
  • summarize or analyze text
  • analyze images
  • create custom GPTs (chatbots) for specific purposes

ChatGPT Edu licenses offer more powerful tools, higher usage limits, and enhanced privacy and security features. Conversations and data shared with ChatGPT Edu are not used to train OpenAI's models.  

Activating your License

  1. Complete the request form
  2. Once you receive the invite email, select "Join Workspace." You can also visit ChatGPT directly. 
  3. Select "Log in" (not sign-up because your license already exists)
  4. Click on the top box that says San Marcos
  5. Use your campus username and password to log in to ChatGPT Edu.

Important Notes on ChatGPT Edu

  1. Users who already have ChatGPT paid or free accounts with their CSUSM email and choose to utilize the Edu workspace will have to migrate to ChatGPT Edu. Content that is not migrated over will be deleted. 
  2. GPTs created using ChatGPT Edu accounts CANNOT be shared with non-CSUSM users. 
  3. CSUSM Edu users CANNOT use external GPTs (GPTs created by users not part of CSUSM ChatGPT Workspace)

CSUSM ChatGPT Account to ChatGPT Edu Migration Information

If you already have a ChatGPT account tied to your campus email: 

    1. Once you request your Edu license, you’ll receive an email invitation to join the Edu workspace.
    2.  The next time you login to ChatGPT, you will be prompted to decide how you want to transition your existing workspace. You will have two options: 
      1. Transfer existing chat history and GPTs 
        This option will merge your existing chat history and settings into the new university-provided workspace.  
         OR
      2. Export and delete your existing chat history.               
        This option will delete all your content from your current CSUSM account, will not migrate any data into your Edu account, but it will allow you to more easily create a new personal account using the exported chats.  
Important Notes
  • If you do not migrate your existing content when prompted to do so, your content will be lost and cannot be recovered.
  • If option b is selected, any custom GPTs you have created will be deleted and cannot be recovered. 
  • If you have a paid subscription, it will be automatically canceled when you join the Edu workspace and you will receive a pro-rated refund.  

 

ChatGPT Edu Plus Usage Rates

Starting September 1, 2026, ChatGPT EDU applies usage limits to most features. If you reach a limit, IITS cannot reset it. You'll need to wait for the specified reset period before using that feature again.

 

 

Models

GPT-5.x Auto
160 messages / 3 hours

GPT-5.x Reasoning
3,000 messages / 7 days
10 credits / message​

GPT-5.x Reasoning Mini
200 messages / day

GPT-5.x Pro
Not included
50 credits / message

o3 — scheduled for deprecation
200 messages / 7 days
10 credits / message​

ChatGPT Tools

Deep Research
25 requests / 30 days
50 credits / request

Agent
40 requests / 30 days​
30 credits / request

Image generation
120 requests / day; DALL·E unlimited
5 credits / request

Files and tab context
File upload: 80 / 3 hours​
Tab context: 160 / 3 hours

Python, browse, and search
Unlimited​

CODEX

(currently unavailable)

Codex usage
22,400 token chunks / 7 days
0.05 credits / token chunk

Code Review
4,000 token chunks / 7 days
0.05 credits / token chunk

Security Review
4,000 token chunks / 7 days


How to check your limits

  1. Click on Cougars EDU tab on bottom left
  2. Click Settings
  3. Click Usage

 

ChatGPT Resources & Guides

Sharing your GPTs
When sharing your GPTs, pick the appropriate permissions based on your purpose. Cougars Edu sharing settings will make your GPT available to either everyone at CSUSM or anyone at CSUSM who clicks on the sharing link. Share with caution.    

  1. Private
    • Invite-only
      • Share your Custom GPT directly with specific users at CSUSM.You will have to add each user individually.
        • Ideal for controlled access, ensuring only those you choose can see or use the GPT. 
    2. Public
    • Cougars Edu
      • Anyone at Cougars Edu with the link: Accessible only to members of CSUSM workspace who have the link.
      • Cougars Edu: All CSUSM workspace members can discover and use the GPT via the built‑in GPT Store.
        • The GPT will be visible through the search function and the GPT Store under the GPT menu.