Microsoft U.S. Education Offer Q&A
If you have further questions regarding Microsoft’s ConnectED opportunities, please join
the conversation at the MEPN US ConnectED Yammer site.
Announcement Q&A
Q: What is the offer you are announcing?
A: In support of President Obama’s ConnectEd challenge, mentioned in his State of the Union address,
Microsoft has created an education offer that allows all U.S. public schools access to, and lowers the
cost for, Windows-based devices in the classroom. The offer includes more than $1 billion in savings
applied toward the latest Windows 8.1 devices, as well as essential software and services such as
Microsoft Office 365, Partners in Learning teacher training, Bing for Schools and more.
With this offer, cost is much less of a barrier for schools that want to give their students the best that
technology has to offer. Working with our OEM partners, we’re able to save schools significant dollars.
Microsoft offers the best solution for education at a lower cost. It’s not just the device. It’s how the
device is used with our services and our programs. They map to the needs of our students and of our
future.
Q: Low cost PCs are a start, but what are the full components of this offer?
A: In addition to Windows 8.1 Pro devices at a reduced cost delivered through Microsoft’s OEM
partners, the offer also includes:
 Office 365 Education Communication and Collaboration Tool: Communication, collaboration,
and presentation skills are essential for succeeding in today’s top jobs. Microsoft provides the
tools necessary to create college and career-ready students. US K-12 schools can access Office
365 online for free. And now, with Student Advantage, Office 365 Education customers can
access Office 365 ProPlus, receiving all the familiar, locally-installed full Office applications for
students at no additional cost.
 Partners in Learning Network Teacher Training and Resources: Partners in Learning provides
educators with a network of nearly 1 million educators from 136 countries. It offers them a
forum where they can share ideas, find free lesson plans to inspire classroom learning and
develop professionally.
 Bing for Schools Ad-free Search: An ad-free digital literacy platform aimed at helping students
learn important digital skills based on access to a connected computing device, daily Common
Core aligned lesson plans and a safe, private environment where no student data is mined
 Student Training and Resources: The Microsoft IT Academy provides 2000 high needs academic
institutions and their educators, students and staff with digital curriculum and certification for
fundamental technology skills and donates $1 million towards certifications for students at
these schools. The ITA program, in over 16,000 academic institutions, reaches over 8.5 million
educators and students globally.
 Affordable Broadband from EveryoneOn: A critical component to connected learning,
Microsoft’s non-profit partner EveryoneOn is offering home internet service for as low as $10 to
the 36 million Americans living in low-income communities.
Q. How does this help reach ConnectED’s goals of connecting U.S. schools to the digital age within five
years?
A. The President’s ConnectED program aims to connect 99% of America’s students to the internet
through high-speed broadband and high-speed wireless within five years. The President also directed
the federal government to make better use of existing funds to get internet connectivity and
educational technology into classrooms and into the hands of teachers trained on its advantages.
As a corporate partner who is very supportive of this vision, Microsoft is stepping up to do our part.
First, we believe part of our role here is to lower the barriers to access to the best technology – and its
cost – for ALL U.S. schools. The device progress is a key component of solving the challenge.
The other component is broadband access to schools, as well as low-income families, which we believe
is a critical component of connected learning. That’s why we work with Microsoft’s non-profit partner
EveryoneOn to offer home internet service for as low $10 to the 36 million Americans living in lowincome communities.
Q: Who are Microsoft’s partners in this offer?
A: All OEMs will be able to fulfill this offer and provide a Windows device to a school. Two of our
partners, Dell and Lenovo, are joining us in this announcement today.
Q: Is Microsoft Surface included in the offer?
A: No, Surface is not part of this offer, but Microsoft offers education discounts on Surface products, and
is proud to partner with America's schools.
Q: How do schools qualify for this offer?
A: The Federal Government identifies all public K-12 schools on its site, the National Center for
Education Statistics. Every public K-12 school on that list is eligible for the offer. There are about
100,000 such schools in the U.S.
Q: Will Microsoft determine who is eligible or will it be the US Department of Education?
A: The Federal Government identifies all public K-12 schools on the National Center for Education
Statistics website. Every public K-12 school on this list is eligible for the offer.
Q: Where can I find more information about Microsoft’s ConnectEd offer?
A: Schools can visit www.microsoft.com/education/ConnectEd
Q: How does a school prove they are entitled to the discounted offer?
A: The Department of Education has identified all public US K-12 schools on the National Center for
Education Statistics website. Every public U.S. K-12 school on this list is eligible for the offer. Districts
and schools should contact their local Microsoft or reseller representative to assist in obtaining a copy of
the offer Letter of Eligibility.
Q: Are private schools eligible for this offer?
A: This offer is for government-funded schools only.
Q: Are public charter schools eligible for this offer?
A: The Department of Education has identified all public K-12 schools on the National Center for
Education Statistics website. Every public K-12 school on this list is eligible for the offer.
Q: Do schools need to conduct a formal RFP to get the devices?
A: No, with the Letter of Eligibility that a school or district can obtain from Microsoft, schools can go
directly to their OEM partners and purchase devices in any quantity. Schools can continue to purchase
through tender, RFP or their existing methods.
Q: Is there a minimum quantity for ordering?
A: No, a school can purchase as many devices as needed. There is no minimum or maximum.
Q: How does the OEM choose what device is best for this offer?
A: We expect our OEM partners to make a number of diverse devices eligible for this offer, giving
schools multiple choices for different needs at a variety of price points.
Q: Is this offer limited to any specific type of device?
A: The OEMs will select and bring to market great devices. We believe our OEMS will deliver a range of
devices including tablets, PCs and laptops.
Q. How much will schools be paying for each device?
A. We don’t have exact dollar amounts. Those final decisions will be up to the hardware partners like
Dell, Lenovo, etc. However, we expect a range of prices, all significantly decreased, of which schools can
take advantage to place these very powerful tools in the hands of students.
Q: Is this the $1 Windows offer we’re hearing about?
A: We do not disclose pricing between Microsoft and the OEMs. We have significantly lowered the cost
of the Windows operating system for our OEM partners in order to accomplish our vision of increasing
access to technology in the classroom.
Q: How much is the investment?
A: With Windows alone, we estimate K-12 school savings (and investment/reduction in our profits
around the amount) of $1 billion.
Q: What is the timeline of that investment? Is it one year?
A: Currently, the offer extends for one year. However, Microsoft continues to invest in education,
building upon the nearly $750 million in education investments and programs over the last 15 years.
Q: Are you committing to do this for the full five years of the President’s program?
A: Currently, the offer extends for one year. However, we will continue to evaluate its results, and we
will continue to support the President’s initiative through its five-year period.
Q: How can Microsoft and its OEM partners afford to sell devices at such a low cost?
A: As part of the offer, Microsoft and its partners are both investing heavily, issuing price reductions
both in Windows and in the OEM hardware in an effort to lower the barriers toward bringing PCs and
devices to classrooms nationwide.
We are investing in the future of America.
Q: How is this saving schools over $1 billion dollars?
A: Our estimates are conservative. We see it as a combination of expanded access to a program of
incredible value and a significantly lowered cost of the Windows operating system for our OEM
partners. This will inject $1 billion in savings into the system, allowing us to achieve our vision of
increasing access to technology in the classroom.
Q: With this offer, what are schools actually paying for a device and the package?
A: We expect our OEM partners to make a number of devices eligible for this offer, giving schools
multiple choices for different needs. It will be the OEMs role to set the pricing of the different devices,
but we are confident that there will be a number of incredibly affordable options.
Q: How much money is Microsoft committing to this initiative in the U.S.? / world?
A: Microsoft is providing a combination of reduced pricing for our software, training and certification
resources for teachers, Bing for Schools and more. This will easily be more than a $1 billion value.
Q: How much are you willing to discount your Windows license to schools?
A: We are working closely with our OEM partners and we do not disclose financial specifics.
Q: How long is this offer good for?
A: Each OEM offers its own device pricing. The Letter of Eligibility issued by Microsoft is valid for one
year. Microsoft maintains a long-standing commitment to education and will evaluate the program at
the end of the year.
Q: Why is this US only?
A: While initially only available in the U.S., Microsoft is taking a thoughtful approach to extending this
offer globally. As such, we are currently meeting with governments around the world to discuss how we
can work together to address their education and technology challenges.
Q: Are similar announcements planned in other parts of the world?
A: Today’s announcement is a major step forward in Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to equip students
worldwide with the technology required to ensure their future success. The offer announced today is
unique to the U.S. because we are working with the federal government to make sure the offer is
available to all U.S. K-12 schools. We meet regularly with governments around the world to discuss how
we can work together to address their education and technology challenges. Together with our OEM
partners we have offerings in many markets and are looking forward to further discussions with
government partners. We have nothing further to share at this time.
Q: How should I take part if I am not in the United States?
A: Government officials should contact their Microsoft Education or Public Sector team for more
information on partnering with Microsoft and its ecosystem of partners on affordable computing in
education.
Q: Are there any initiatives underway currently to provide students outside of the U.S. access to
Microsoft’s technology in the short term?
A: Yes. In addition to our efforts to make our technology accessible to students and educators around
the world, we’ve invested heavily in programs and offers that give students and educators the tools they
need to succeed in today’s workforce. In fact, our investment in education programs to date is more
than $750 million. Some examples include:
 Student Advantage: Helps address the issue of preparing students for the skills needed in the
workplace. With Student Advantage, schools that license Office 365 Professional Plus or Office
Professional Plus for faculty and staff can provide Office 365 Pro Plus to students at no
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additional cost, providing millions of students worldwide access to the best productivity tools
available today.
One of the greatest Student Advantage successes to-date includes four million sets sold as part
of a deal between Microsoft and the Sao Paolo State Department of Education (SEE)
DreamSpark: Gives students professional-level developer and design tools at no cost
Partners in Learning Network: Helps educators successfully incorporate technology in the
classroom to enhance the learning experience for their students. We’ve reached more than 207
million students and 12 million teachers across 119 countries over 10 years.
The Partners in Learning network currently has 800,000 active global members and is growing
30% month-over-month.
Student training and certification: With the Microsoft IT Academy (ITA) program, nearly seven
thousand academic institutions across the U.S. alone reach over 35,000 educators and over 1
million students who receive training and certifications for technology skills critical for success in
today’s workforce
YouthSpark: A global initiative aimed at creating opportunities for 300 million youth worldwide
by 2015. This initiative includes programs like:
o Imagine Cup: Ignites students’ passion in science, technology, engineering and math
(STEM)
o Innovative Schools and Innovative Educator programs: Provides research, professional
development and community support to schools and educators
o Bing for Schools: Provides the education community ad-free search in the U.S. and
advanced filtration for children
Teaching with Technology: Helps support classroom teachers as they integrate more ICT into
their teaching and learning. The curriculum will soon be available in Mandarin, Arabic, Spanish,
Brazilian Portuguese and Indonesian.
In Russia, the Open Education Institute of Moscow successfully trained more than 5,000
educators using the Microsoft Teaching with Technology curriculum. They now plan to certify
50,000 additional educators over the next three years.
4Afrika: Engages Africa’s economic development with devices and partnership
o 4Afrika Youth Device Program: As part of this program, students and faculty enrolled in
participating universities (4Afrika Premier Universities) get advanced, state-of-the-art
devices like tablets, smartphones and laptops at an affordable price or through smart
financing via Microsoft partners
o 4Afrika Scholarship Program: Helps develop Africa’s future leaders by ensuring they
have access to the education and skills they need to succeed. Together with our
partners, our goal is to deliver mentorship, training, certification and university-level
education and employment opportunities to promising young African leaders at no cost.
Q: Does this affect global OEMs? How can OEMs in different countries/regions gain access to the same
reduced price as U.S. OEMs?
A: We have significantly lowered the cost of the Windows operating system for our OEM partners in
order to accomplish our vision of increasing access to technology in the classroom. We’re continuously
working with our global OEM partners to identify new opportunities to provide the latest and greatest
technology solutions to today’s students and educators. As additional opportunities arise both within
and beyond the U.S., we’ll work closely with local governments to ensure we’re taking a thoughtful
approach to making similar offers available around the world.
Department of Education Partnership Q&A
Q: What is the Department of Education’s (DOE) role in this offer?
A: The DOE has a goal of connecting U.S. schools to the digital age within five years by providing costefficient devices and services. We have a mutual interest in offering the best education experience
possible to students nationwide. This is a bold commitment on our part and we are pleased to be
partnering to achieve the President’s vision.
Q: Is this program an extension of your Shape the Future program?
A: Yes. Our Shape the Future offer is a global effort aimed at enabling access to affordable computing
for students around the world. To date we have reached over ten million students and families in
countries including Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Portugal, United Kingdom and Argentina among others. As a
way to support the US ConnectED initiative, we worked with partners to create a specific offer.
Q: What else is Microsoft doing to support President Obama’s ConnectED initiative?
A: Microsoft has many programs that complement or support the ConnectED initiative, and we believe
strongly in supporting the U.S. administration’s aspirations to connect U.S. schools to the digital age,
upgrade connectivity, train educators and build on private-sector innovations. Our programs and
partnerships include:
 TEACH.org
 EveryoneOn partnership
 Partners in Learning
Q: We’re coming up on the end of Microsoft’s commitment at CGI in 2011 to provide one million
students and families with access to affordable technology, what’s the status?
A: Shape the Future is the program that enables access to affordable computing for students around
the world. Our Shape the Future offer is global and to date we have reached over ten million students
and families in countries including Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Portugal, United Kingdom and Argentina among
others. To support the US ConnectED initiative, we’ll be further fulfilling the goals we made on Shape
the Future as part of the Clinton Global Initiative and we’ll be working with partners to ensure this offer
also accrues to the goal of broadening access to affordable technology.
Q: How does this tie into Microsoft’s corporate citizenship commitment and philanthropy?
A: This effort is part of Microsoft YouthSpark, a global, company-wide initiative that aims to create
education, entrepreneurship and employability opportunities for 300 million youth around the world by
2015. YouthSpark is central to our overall approach to education and goes beyond Microsoft’s
philanthropy and social investments, as it provides additional offerings specific for teaching and learning
alongside our partners.
Partner Q&A:
Q: How are device orders processed?
A: Customers interested in ordering qualified devices are asked to provide you with their letter of intent
(LOE) for proof of validation. If the customer does not have the LOE, Resellers are asked to contact the
OEM for validation and pricing. The OEM validates that the end customer is eligible to procure the
National Academic Offering sku. Upon validation the OEM provides the LAR/Disti/etc. with the devices
with the Windows 8.1 Pro National Academic Offering
Q: I am an OEM. How do I process customer orders?
A: Once the customer is qualified/eligible, which is easy to determine via the list of all U.S. Public
Schools on the list on MyOEM, orders can be processed as per normal process.
Q: I am a Reseller. What is my responsibility for qualifying customers?
A: All K12 public schools in the US are eligible, but the final validation process is at the OEM level, not
with the reseller. Resellers can ask customers for the LOE if available, but if the customer does not have
the LOE, the OEM can validate.
Q: If we validate and sell this offer to a customer that turns out NOT to be qualified, what is the
impact?
A: Only the OEM can validate qualified customers.
Q: What OEMs participate in this program and what are their offers?
A: Right now we have commitments from Dell and Lenovo, but we anticipate more will join and we’ll
have a number of devices to offer.
Q: Will this reduced price device offer be available to sell through Microsoft Reseller Partners?
A: The device price inclusive of Windows 8.1 is only provided by the OEM.
Q: My customers are asking for Chromebooks, can you provide me with selling points of your value
over Chrome?
A: A Chromebook is for surfing the web and using web apps.
A Windows device is for surfing the web and using web apps. And getting things done with Microsoft
Office, connecting to workplace networks, using rich tools to edit your photos and videos online and
offline, calling your friend in Paris with Skype, saving your resume to either SkyDrive or your desktop,
downloading Angry Birds from the Windows Store, using both the Start screen and the familiar Windows
desktop, organizing your files on your laptop for easy access even when you're offline, playing Halo,
working both online and offline, using iTunes and Photoshop, and countless other things you get only
with a full-powered PC.
Additionally, findings from a recent IDC Government Insights white paper entitled "Demonstrating the
Value of PCs in the Education Industry" are promising. This study, done in partnership with Microsoft,
looked at 11 schools and focused specifically on desktops, laptops and "hybrid" tablet PCs. The results
support our belief that what matters most is a device that is full featured enough to allow students to
consume information, collaborate with their peers and teachers and create great content. Here's what
the study found:
 The schools favored PCs over media tablets primarily for their ability to generate content,
especially in the higher grades
 Although PC devices cost more than media tablets, the costs of the additional technology
required for tablets to meet the needs of education, including management and security
software, maintenance and warranty packages and additional bandwidth, close the gap
considerably
 PCs are optimized for organizations rather than individuals, and as such are easier to deploy and
manage, resulting in annual maintenance costs that are 26 percent lower than those of media
tablets
 The schools in this study felt that the PC's usability and fit with their educational goals more
than outweighed the initial cost advantage of media tablet devices
For more great comparisons visit http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/comparechromebook
Q: How do I find out more about how to sell the Student Advantage program?
A: We have a set of downloadable resources available on our Microsoft Education Partner Network,
including:
 Sales Discussion Guide.
 Step by Step how to License
 Partner Business Opportunities
 Partner FAQ
 Partner Licensing
 Partner Business Opportunities
Q: I need to understand more about the components of the offer. How do I learn how to position this
to my customers?
A: The device offering is enhanced with the Office, teacher training, Bing for Schools, and broadband
components. These represent multiple resources from Microsoft that work with the device, further
extending our value and integrated approach to immersive learning. Contact your Microsoft Partner
lead to explore these further.
Q: Where do I go for more information and updates?
A: Partner content can be found at: https://www.mseducommunity.com/US/Pages/default.aspx
Our public customer site is www.microsoft.com/education/ConnectED.
Microsoft Education Q&A
Q: How do I find more information on all those great programs?
A: Go to Microsoft.com/education/ConnectED
Q: What is Partners in Learning?
A: Microsoft Partners in Learning is a 15-year, $750M global initiative aimed at supporting schools and
educators use technology to help every student receive an excellent education and gain the skills they
need in work and life.
With governments, academic institutions and NGOs, Partners in Learning has invested in a
comprehensive research program, a vibrant community of education stakeholders and specific Educator
and Schools programs to improve teaching and learning and optimize the use of technology within
pedagogy. Thus far, the program has trained more than 11 million educators and reached more than
207 million students in over 35,000 schools in 119 countries.
Q: What is Bing for Schools?
A: Bing for Schools is an ad-free digital literacy platform aimed at helping students learn important
digital skills based on access to a connected computing device, daily Common Core aligned lesson plans,
and a safe, private environment. Since launch, Bing for Schools has enabled more than eight thousand
reward donations to schools, digital literacy lesson plans have been downloaded over 40 thousand
times, and more than 14 million ad-free, private search results have been served to children in nearly
four thousand schools.
Q: What is EveryoneOn?
A: EveryoneOn is a national nonprofit that aims to eliminate the digital divide by making high-speed,
low-cost Internet, computers and free digital literacy accessible to all unconnected Americans. Through
partnerships with leading internet providers and device refurbishers, EveryoneOn is able to offer options
of home Internet service for $10 or less a month and $150 computers for low-income individuals and
families.
Q: What is YouthSpark?
A: Announced in 2012, YouthSpark is our global, company-wide initiative that aims to create
opportunities for 300 million youth around the world by 2015 through partnerships with governments,
nonprofit organizations and businesses. The goal of the initiative is to address the opportunity divide
facing young people around the world, a gap between those who have the access, skills and
opportunities to be successful and those who do not.
The launch of Microsoft YouthSpark marked a new focus of our philanthropy efforts in which we commit
the majority of our corporate cash giving to support nonprofit organizations that serve youth. We do
this by providing them with enhanced technology and business training to help them pursue additional
education, obtain employment or start a new business or social venture.
If you have further questions regarding Microsoft’s ConnectED opportunities, please join
the conversation at the MEPN US ConnectED Yammer site.