Microsoft is committed to making its software affordable and available to the largest possible education audience. But we understand that sometimes it can be hard to find the funding for this software, and that in many parts of the world this can be a barrier to the wider use of computers in the classroom. The School Agreement from Microsoft is an annual, subscription-based licensing programme specially created to address the unique needs of primary and secondary educational institutions. It enables you to keep your school's technology up to speed—even on a limited budget.

Reduced Prices on Microsoft Products
School Agreement offers academic institutions price reductions on most Microsoft® desktop and server products within an annual subscription licensing programme. Through Partners in Learning, Microsoft is building relationships with the highest levels of government to ensure key software tools are more affordable for primary and secondary (K-12) schools.

On the basis of economic need*, some schools in high income countries, and all schools in low and middle income countries will also be eligible to obtain Microsoft Windows® Professional upgrade at no cost and Microsoft Office Professional at a special Partners in Learning rate.

Lower Administration Costs, Latest Technology
As well as reducing the cost of technology to schools, the programme cuts administration time for licensing. It only requires schools to deal with licensing matters once a year, instead of on an ad hoc basis. Additionally, schools only need to count the number of computers rather than tracking individual licences.

Schools can reduce administrative, hardware and software costs, while benefiting from the latest technology. The agreement allows schools to upgrade and maintain their technology and provides an easy-to-administer programme for managing software investments over time.

*The World Bank’s Gross National Income (GNI) index was used to establish the criteria for eligibility for reduced price for Windows Professional Upgrade and Office Professional. GNI is an objective measure of wealth that is updated frequently and universally accepted by governments and a variety of international funding organisations.

School Agreement: Your Questions Answered

How Does the School Agreement Work?
It's easy. Count the number of eligible PCs you have (see below for a definition of an eligible PC). Then choose the products you want to be licensed to use. Individual licences are also available for server products.

Your school can run the licensed software for a 12-month period. You're licensed for all upgrades and downgrades of the software during the subscription term. Every year, your school can renew the licence agreement, buy out of the annual subscription by purchasing perpetual licences, or remove the software from machines.

How Much Does it Cost?
Pricing for some School Agreement application and system products is tiered depending on the number of eligible PCs. Server products are priced individually. For exact pricing, please contact an Authorised Education Reseller (AER).

What is an Eligible PC?
Eligible machines include all institution-owned or leased Pentiums, PowerMacs and iMacs. If you run software on 286, 386, 486, Apple, UNIX, or other devices (such as Windows-based terminals), you need to work out the exact number of machines that will be running the software and add that number to the total count.

Example
You have:

• 200 Pentiums
• 100 iMacs
• 100 386 machines
• 100 Windows-based terminals

You will only run School Agreement software on 50 of your 386 machines and 25 of your Windows-based terminals. The total number of machines you must cover is: 200 Pentiums + 100 iMacs + 50 386 machines + 25 Windows-based terminals = 375 total machines. So you must report 375 machines on your School Agreement contract.

Is There a Minimum Requirement to Participate in the School Agreement?
Yes. When submitting a subscription enrolment, it must be for a minimum of 300 units. Total units per order are determined by combining your application, system, and CAL units with your server units. You can choose any individual product or combination of products to meet this requirement.
For more information about School Agreement visit: How To Buy.