Who Qualifies for the Veo 3 Student Discount
Before starting the sign-up process, confirm whether you meet all eligibility requirements. Google’s student trial program has specific criteria you must satisfy to claim free access.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Google AI Pro student trial:
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Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
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Student Status: You must currently be enrolled at a recognized higher education institution where the offer is available. This includes colleges and universities; eligibility is verified through SheerID.
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Residency and Regional Offer Availability: You must be a resident of a country or region where the student trial is offered. Although the trial is currently officially offered in the United States, users in other countries who already claimed the offer may continue to retain benefits until their eligibility period ends.
Account and Payment Requirements
To successfully sign up:
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Personal Google Account: Use a personal Google account (not a school-issued Google Workspace account).
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Qualified Payment Method: You must have a Google Payments account with a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, etc.). Google will not charge you during the free period, but payment setup is required to activate the offer.
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Google Play Subscription Flow: The trial must be completed through the Google Play purchase flow.
SheerID Verification
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Verified Student Status: Your enrollment must be verified through SheerID. This may include uploading proof of current enrollment if requested.
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Verification is Mandatory: Without SheerID confirmation, you will not be eligible for the trial.
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Assistance: For help with verification, Google directs users to the SheerID support center or to email customerservice@sheerid.com.
Exceptions and Exclusions
Even if you satisfy the eligibility criteria above, the following do not qualify:
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Students who are part of a Google One family group plan (you cannot use the discount while attached to a family subscription).
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Users with higher-tier plans than the Google AI Pro plan already active.
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Subscribers through third-party partners, including Pixel Pass or Google Fi.
Revised Quick Eligibility Checklist
Before starting the student trial sign-up, confirm you meet all of the following:
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You are 18 years or older.
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You are currently enrolled at a qualifying higher education institution.
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You reside in a region where the student trial is offered (currently the United States for new sign-ups).
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You use a personal Google account (not a school Google Workspace account).
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You have a valid payment method configured through Google Payments.
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You complete SheerID student status verification.
Step-by-Step Guide to Claim Your Veo 3 Student Discount
Follow these steps carefully to activate your free 12-month Google AI Pro trial with Veo 3 access.
Step 1 – Visit the Official Student Offer Page
Navigate to gemini.google/students/ and look for the “Free for students” promotion on the page and click “Get Offer”.
Or open the Google One student trial page, and start it directly through this portal. Always verify you’re on an official Google domain (google.com) to avoid phishing scams.
Step 2 – Sign In with Your Personal Gmail Account
Log in using your personal Gmail account. Do not use your university-issued email address, even if it’s a Google account.
If you don’t have a personal Gmail, create one for free at gmail.com before continuing.
Step 3 – Start the Student Verification Process
Click the “Verify eligibility” button to begin verification. This initiates the SheerID verification process—Google’s third-party partner for confirming student enrollment.

Step 4 – Complete SheerID Student Verification
Enter your details in the SheerID form:
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University name: Select your school from the dropdown
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Student email: Your .edu or university email address and your personal information
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Enrollment details: Current enrollment status
Verification is usually instant. If SheerID cannot verify you automatically, you may need to upload documentation (student ID, enrollment letter). Manual review can take up to 48 hours.

Step 5 – Add a Payment Method
Add a credit card, debit card, or PayPal to your Google Payments account. You will not be charged during the 12-month trial period.
Google requires a payment method to prevent abuse and enable automatic renewal after your trial ends. You can cancel anytime before the trial expires to avoid charges.
Step 6 – Confirm and Activate Your Trial
Review the offer terms carefully. Confirm your subscription through Google Play Store and activate your Google AI Pro student trial.
You’ll receive a confirmation email at your personal Gmail address. Your free access begins immediately.
Troubleshooting Common Sign-Up Issues
“Not eligible” error: Ensure you’re using a personal Gmail, not a university Google Workspace account. Verify your school is in SheerID’s database.
Payment method rejected: Try a different card or PayPal. Some international cards may not be supported. Ensure your billing address matches your card.
Verification delayed: If instant verification fails, upload clear images of your student ID or enrollment letter. Allow 48 hours for manual review.
Geographic restrictions: Some countries have limited access. VPN use may violate Google’s terms of service and could result in account issues.
Existing subscription conflict: If you have an active Google One or AI Pro subscription, cancel it first, then sign up for the student offer.
What’s Included in Your Free Veo 3 Student Access
Your student discount provides full Google AI Pro benefits worth $19.99/month—completely free for 12 months.
Veo 3.1 Video Generation Access
Access Veo 3.1 Fast through the Google Flow platform. Create AI-generated videos up to 8 seconds long with synchronized audio. This is the same video generation technology available to paying subscribers.
Gemini 3 Pro and AI Features
Full access to Gemini 3 Pro model for text, code, and multimodal tasks. Additional features include:
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Deep Research: Advanced research assistance
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NotebookLM Plus: Enhanced note-taking with AI
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Unlimited image uploads: No restrictions on image analysis
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AI in Google Workspace: Smart features in Docs, Sheets, and Slides
Storage and Additional Benefits
Your subscription includes 2 TB Google One cloud storage across Drive, Gmail, and Photos. You also get access to Whisk and Flow creative applications for AI-powered content creation.
Limitations of the Free Student Tier
Understanding these restrictions helps set realistic expectations for your free access.
Video Generation Limits
The student tier has specific constraints on Veo video generation:
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8 seconds maximum video length per generation
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720p resolution output (not 1080p or 4K)
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3 videos per day through Gemini direct interface
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1000 credits/month on the Flow platform
These limits are designed for personal and educational use, not commercial production.
Trial Duration and Auto-Renewal
Your free trial lasts 12 months from activation date. After the trial ends, your subscription automatically renews at $19.99/month.
Key Takeaway: Set a calendar reminder 2-3 weeks before your trial expires. You can cancel anytime through Google One settings to avoid charges.
Feature Restrictions vs Paid Plans
The student tier includes Veo 3.1 Fast, not the full Veo 3.1 model. For higher limits and full model access, Google AI Ultra costs $249.99/month—but this plan is not available with the student discount.
For most student projects and personal use, the Pro tier provides more than enough capability.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify
If you can’t access the student discount, these options provide Veo 3 access at different price points.
30-Day Free Trial for All Users
Google offers a standard 30-day free trial for Google AI Pro. No student verification required—anyone can sign up. You get full Pro features during the trial, but it’s shorter than the student offer.
Visit the standard Google AI Pro page to activate this trial.
$300 Google Cloud Credits
Sign up for Google Cloud’s free tier and receive $300 in credits. Apply these credits to Vertex AI Veo 3 API for direct video generation access.
The rate is approximately $0.75 per second of video generated. This option works best for developers comfortable with API integration.
Third-Party API Providers
Several platforms offer Veo 3 access at competitive rates:
| Provider | Veo 3 Fast Price | Savings vs Google |
| Kie.ai | $0.30/8s video | Up to 70% |
| Replicate | $6.00/8s video | — |
| Fal.ai | $6.30/8s video | — |
These providers offer pay-as-you-go pricing without monthly subscriptions.
FAQs About Veo 3 Student Discount
Why does it ask for a payment method if it’s free?
Google requires a payment method to prevent abuse of the free trial and to enable automatic renewal after your 12-month trial ends. Your card is not charged during the trial period—only a small verification hold may appear temporarily. According to Google One Help, you can cancel anytime before the trial expires to avoid any charges.
Can I cancel before being charged after 12 months?
Yes, absolutely. Google sends a reminder email before your trial expires. You can cancel at any time during the trial through your Google One settings (one.google.com/settings). According to Google’s student trial documentation, cancellation takes effect immediately, but you keep access until your trial end date.
How do I verify my student status without a real .edu email?
SheerID verification doesn’t strictly require a .edu email—it verifies your enrollment status through institutional databases. If your school uses a different email format (like .ac.uk or country-specific domains), enter that email. If automatic verification fails, SheerID allows you to upload documentation: a student ID card, enrollment letter, or class schedule showing your name, school, and current term. Manual review typically completes within 48 hours.
Why does the official page show another expiration date as late as April 30, 2026?
There are two distinct deadlines for this offer. January 31, 2026, is the Redemption Deadline—the last day for new students to sign up and verify their status. April 30, 2026, is the Offer Validity Period, which is the final date the promotion exists in its current form. Basically, you must join by January to enjoy the benefits that the program supports through April and beyond.
Conclusion
The Veo 3 student discount offers 12 months of free Google AI Pro access—a $240 value—but only until January 31, 2026. With the deadline approaching, now is the time to act.
Verify your eligibility, complete SheerID verification, and activate your free access before the offer expires. Even if you don’t qualify, alternatives like the 30-day trial or Google Cloud credits can still get you started with Veo 3.
Claim Your Free Access: Visit gemini.google/students/ now to start your verification and secure free Veo 3 access before time runs out.

