ChatGPT Edu FAQ

Below are answers to frequently asked questions about ChatGPT Edu.

ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot technology developed by OpenAI that can process natural human language and generate a response, enhancing personal productivity and can assist with teaching and learning activities. ChatGPT Edu is a specialized version of ChatGPT designed specifically for educational institutions. It is tailored to academic environments to make it particularly useful for educational purposes.

ChatGPT Edu will be available for Cal State LA's state employees starting Wednesday, March 26, 2025, and for currently enrolled students starting Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Campus members can first join Cal State LA's ChatGPT Edu Workspace by following the instructions in the email invitation sent by OpenAI. View a video on how to accept the ChatGPT invite. 

ChatGPT Edu is available to current CSU students, faculty, and staff. Licensing was not purchased to cover alumni and emeritus faculty.

After the initial sign-up for ChatGPT Edu through the email invitation from OpenAI ([email protected]), you can log in anytime using your MyCalStateLA ID account credentials through one of the following options:

  1. Web browser:

    1. Visit https://chat.openai.com and type your full email address in the "Email address" field, then click "Continue."

    2. Click the "Cal State LA SSO" button on the next screen. Enter your full email address and password in the next Cal State LA log in screen.

  2. Log on to the MyCalStateLA Portal (https://my.calstatela.edu) using your username and password, then click the ChatGPT icon under the Software & Tools quick launch section.

The Edu plan includes access to GPT-4o, advanced capabilities like data analytics, web browsing, document summarization, the ability to build and share custom GPTs, higher message limits, support for over 50 languages, and robust security and administrative controls.

While the Edu plan offers extensive features, GPT-4o usage is limited to 10 messages every 5 hours although the user can switch to GPT-4o mini which allows for unlimited messages. The contract includes pricing to "step-up" that adjusts the GPT-4o use cap to that of other ChatGPT Edu plans at a rate still lower than other ChatGPT Edu customers. Details for how to purchase this additional licensing are expected to be available around May 2025.

Yes, ChatGPT Edu includes web search, allowing users to access and retrieve up-to-date information from the internet to enhance their queries and research.

Once ITS enables ChatGPT Edu, you will receive an email invite from OpenAI to join the Cal State LA’s ChatGPT Edu Workspace. You will be prompted to decide how you want to transition your existing data. 

  1. Transfer your existing chat history and GPTs - This option will merge your current chat history and settings into the new university-provided workspace. 

  1. Export and delete your existing chat history - This option allows you to export your data and start fresh, making it easier to create a separate personal account if desired. 

  2. If you do not need to save any chat history you have in your current ChatGPT profile with calstatela.edu email, no action is needed. Note that all your chat history will be deleted. 

Important note for advanced users: 

  • If you’ve created Custom GPTs, they will not transfer during migration. Please document and export any important data beforehand.

  • Selecting option 2 will result in the loss of access to your Custom GPTs after migration. 

The CSU’s investment in AI tools will enable greater opportunities for our students and help prepare significant numbers of educated, responsible people to contribute to California’s schools, economy, culture, and future. The CSU is committed to closing digital equity and accessibility gaps, providing access to high-quality AI tools to support academic achievement.

AI is not going away. It will become more and more prevalent, and the CSU must continue to prepare our students for the future in the face of new technology. This is an opportunity to lead in educational innovation, and the path forward includes working closely with faculty to navigate this new terrain for the benefit of our students and the broader academic community.

Existing CSU policies on privacy and responsible use have been/are being refined to reflect the use of AI. Ethical frameworks and usage guidelines have been drafted and will be made available for campuses to serve as a ready foundation for any campuses that do not already have their own frameworks and guidelines already developed. The CSU's GenAI Committee, comprised of key stakeholders and leaders, including representatives from the CSU’s Faculty Senate, will develop and provide the ongoing guidance for AI in the CSU.

OpenAI's ChatGPT Edu agreement is tailored specifically for the CSU system to provide advanced AI capabilities for all employees and students while protecting CSU data. OpenAI does not use CSU workspace data to train its large language models. Additionally, the CSU ChatGPT Edu plan includes enterprise commercial data protection features like SAML Single Sign-On (SSO), domain verification, custom data retention windows, SOC 2 Type 2 compliance, and data encryption at rest and in transit.

The CSU has a policy on responsible use of technology resources, as well as existing standards on student conduct and defined student conduct process for addressing issues that may arise. The CSU will continue to update policies, procedures and guidelines as necessary to enable the safety of our community.

Individual user interactions and conversations with ChatGPT are not monitored. The CSU will only collect basic use statistics to understand the extent of adoption.

No. The CSU's agreement with OpenAI includes language that ensures your ChatGPT interactions and data are not used to train their underlying large language models or improve their services.

One of the benefits of an enterprise agreement is that OpenAI commits to data privacy and security by ensuring that conversations and data are not used to train their models. The Edu plan includes commercial data protection features like SAML SSO, domain verification, custom data retention windows, SOC 2 Type 2 compliance, and data encryption at rest and in transit.

Yes, the ChatGPT Edu plan allows institutions to build custom GPTs tailored to specific courses or administrative functions, which can be shared within campus workspace to enhance learning and operational efficiency. Custom GPTs require use of the GPT-4o model.

Yes, OpenAI provides applications for various platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, and MacOS, ensuring that users can access ChatGPT across different devices. Additionally, the applications can be configured for platform specific integrations.

Exporting chat history and GPTs from a ChatGPT personal account to the Cal State LA ChatGPT Edu workspace is not supported. Users may copy chat history from their personal account and paste it to the Cal State LA ChatGPT Edu workspace. Users need to recreate GPTs in the Cal State LA ChatGPT Edu workspace.

The CSU Chancellor’s Office has signed an 18-month (February 2025 - July 2026) contract for ChatGPT with an option to extend the agreement.

There are 500,000 user licenses available systemwide. These licenses were purchased to cover employees and students only. Licenses are not intended for alumni; auxiliary; continuing education students, continuing education faculty, and auxiliary staff; or other campus community members and partners.