Copilot is Microsoft's AI-powered productivity service that uses large language models (LLMs) to help you create content, analyze information, summarize documents, and complete tasks more efficiently. It draws on models such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and DALL·E to generate text, images, data explanations, and more based on your prompts.
Copilot can also access up-to-date internet information to provide timely and relevant responses.
Microsoft offers two Copilot experiences at Northwestern: Microsoft Copilot Chat, which is available at no additional cost, and Microsoft 365 Copilot, which requires a paid license and provides in‑app Copilot features and advanced agents.
When you sign in with your Northwestern NetID, your data is protected. Microsoft does not use your prompts or Copilot’s responses to train or improve AI models. More information is available in Microsoft’s data protection disclosure:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/privacy-and-protections
Microsoft Copilot Chat (no additional license required)
Microsoft Copilot Chat is a secure, chat‑based AI experience available to Northwestern students, faculty, and staff as part of their existing Microsoft 365 access. Copilot Chat is accessed outside of Microsoft 365 applications and does not provide in‑app Copilot functionality in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or OneNote.
When signed in with a Northwestern NetID, Copilot Chat applies Northwestern data protections and can respond to prompts using information users explicitly provide or reference during the chat.
To learn more Article - Microsoft Copilot Chat (Free Version) ...
⚠️ Starting April 15, 2026, users at Northwestern without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license subscription will no longer have Copilot access within Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or OneNote.
Microsoft 365 Copilot (licensed, subscription‑based)
Microsoft 365 Copilot is a yearly, subscription‑based service available to faculty and staff that integrates AI capabilities across Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and email. The service enables licensed users to work with Copilot across Northwestern Microsoft 365 files and communications, supporting advanced tasks and collaboration across multiple documents and sources.
This license also provides access to Microsoft 365 Copilot agents, such as Researcher and Analyst, which are not available with Microsoft Copilot Chat. For more information about Microsoft 365 Copilot capabilities, see Get started with Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat - Microsoft Support*. Additional details about how the service works at Northwestern are available in the Related Articles section.
Key capabilities include:
- Advanced Copilot agents that support complex, multi‑step work
- AI assistance grounded in Northwestern Microsoft 365 content
- Support for content creation, analysis, and collaboration within Microsoft applications
Note: Microsoft documentation is being updated to reflect recent Copilot experience changes. Some public Microsoft help content may not yet reflect current functionality.
Available to
Availability / Eligibility
- Students: Access to Microsoft Copilot Chat only
- Faculty and Staff: Eligible for Microsoft 365 Copilot, which requires a paid subscription license
In‑app Copilot features in Microsoft 365 applications are available only to users with an active Microsoft 365 Copilot license.
Cost
A Microsoft 365 Copilot license costs $213.84 per year. License costs are prorated based on the remaining portion of the license year at the time of purchase. Purchases made through iBuyNU will automatically display the prorated cost.
For additional details about licensing and billing, see the Copilot @ Northwestern FAQ in the Related Articles section.
How to Request Service
To view current costs or purchase a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, please visit iBuyNU Marketplace: Procurement and Payment Services - Northwestern University or select the appropriate request button on this page.
Support Resources
It may take up to 72 hours for Copilot features to appear after a Microsoft M365 Copilot license subscription has been applied.