Overview
There are two options available for OpenAI's ChatGPT.
Note: Review the university policy which outlines expectations for ethical use, data privacy, and compliance: AI Acceptable Use policy.
ChatGPT (individual license)
ChatGPT is a generative AI tool available directly from OpenAI through individual free and paid subscription plans. Features and usage limits vary by plan, and personal accounts are managed by the individual user.
ChatGPT Edu
ChatGPT Edu is a university-managed version of ChatGPT designed for students, faculty, and staff. It provides enhanced security and privacy, higher usage limits, institutional account management, and a secure university workspace. Information submitted within the university workspace is not used to train OpenAI’s models. It is a tool that can help summarize readings, generate ideas, assist with tutoring and writing help, provide coding support, and create custom GPTs for your department or courses.
Visit Special License Requests for more details on how to acquire this type of license.
Difference between ChatGPT and ChatGPT Edu
| ChatGPT individual account |
ChatGPT Edu |
| Created and managed by the individual |
Provided and managed by the university |
| Available through Free, Plus, or Pro plans |
Purchased institutionally for students, faculty, and staff |
| Personal workspace |
Secure university workspace |
| Individual settings and controls |
Central administrative controls and permissions |
| Standard plan usage limits |
Generally higher or institutionally configured limits |
| Limited organizational governance |
SSO, automated account provisioning, role-based access, audit logs, usage reporting, and retention controls |
| Personal GPTs and content |
GPTs and resources can be shared within the university workspace |
| Consumer data settings apply |
University workspace data is not used to train OpenAI models by default |
While ChatGPT EDU aligns with FERPA, it is not approved for sensitive data like:
- Student financial aid records (GLBA)
- Billing or personally identifiable financial info
- Protected Health Information (PHI)
How to Access
Who is eligible?
Any university user can use ChatGPT.
Individual users with approved requests for a special license have access to ChatGPT Edu. To request a license, please visit Special License Requests.
All students currently enrolled in the MBA program are automatically granted access to a ChatGPT Edu license.
How do I access it?
To access ChatGPT, follow these steps:
- Visit ChatGPT
- Log in with your personal email account (may be your SHU email account if that was used upon initial sign up)
- In the lower left hand corner, the Free or Upgraded Individual license will be displayed
To access ChatGPT Edu, once your license has been provisioned by IT, follow these steps:
- Check your email for an invite from ChatGPT, use the link provided in the email. Alternatively, you can visit https://auth.openai.com/log-in-or-create-account
- Enter your SHU email and click Continue
- When prompted for "How do you want to login?", select "Sacred Heart ChatGPT Edu"
- Sign-in using your SHU full email and password to authenticate
- In the lower left hand corner, the following will appear confirming the special license
Need Assistance?
Contact the PioTech Center
For technical support with access or to report an issue, contact the PioTech Center.
Visit PioTech Training
To access self-help resources or to sign up for training, visit PioTech Training.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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How do I acquire a license for ChatGPT Edu?
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Is it safe to use ChatGPT Edu?
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Yes, ChatGPT Edu has been configured according to security, privacy, identity, and compliance policies.