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Google Cloud for Students - Free Learning Credits & Cloud Resources

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✓ checked Jul 23

Students get 200 free Google Skills credits for hands-on cloud labs, plus access to GCP credits through faculty-led programs for coursework and projects.

How to claim it

  1. Open the offer. Visit cloud.google.com/edu/students to access the student learning program
  2. Join Google Skills. Sign in with your Google account and click the call-to-action to join Google Skills
  3. Claim Skills credits. Apply directly through the form and confirm your email to receive your 200 free Google Skills credits for labs and training. Review can take up to two weeks
  4. Ask faculty to apply. For GCP billing credits: Ask your instructor to apply for Teaching & Learning credits at edu.google.com/programs/credits/teaching
  5. Get the verify link. Once your faculty receives credits, they'll email you a verification URL
  6. Verify your status. Click the URL and confirm your school or college email address to verify your student status
  7. Receive your code. Receive your coupon code via email after verification
  8. Redeem your code. Sign into the Google Cloud console and redeem your coupon code under 'Coupon code', then accept the terms

Who's eligible

Who can get the Google Cloud for Students - Free Learning Credits & Cloud Resources student discount?
Students enrolled at non-profit, regionally-accredited institutions in the US, or degree-granting higher education institutions in eligible countries outside the US. For-profit institutions are not supported. The 200 Google Skills credits are claimed directly by the student via a form (review takes up to two weeks). Faculty-distributed GCP billing credits are separate and require enrollment in a course where the instructor has applied for and received credits.
How long does Google Cloud for Students - Free Learning Credits & Cloud Resources student access last?
Google Skills credits expire 1 year after issuance. Faculty-distributed GCP credits can be redeemed within 16 weeks and used for 12 months after the course start date. New credits may be available through subsequent courses.
Is the Google Cloud for Students - Free Learning Credits & Cloud Resources student discount available worldwide?
Available to students in the United States at regionally-accredited programs. Outside the US, available at higher learning institutions and universities that award degrees in eligible countries. Specific country list not publicly detailed.

What's included

Google Cloud offers students two main pathways to free cloud resources. The Google Cloud for Education - Students program provides 200 free Google Skills credits for hands-on labs, skill badges, and learning paths, which you claim directly by applying with a form. Separately, students can access GCP billing credits through faculty-led programs for coursework and projects; the amount is set by the faculty request, often around $50. These programs help students build real-world cloud skills without any cost. The credits also cover Google's AI tooling on the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform, which is the new name for Vertex AI since Google's April 2026 rebrand, so AI and ML coursework runs on the same credits.

  • 200 Google Skills CreditsFree credits for hands-on labs, courses, and skill badges on the Google Skills platform. Credits expire one year after issuance.
  • No-Cost Hands-On LabsAccess to practical labs where you can build real-world Google Cloud skills using actual cloud infrastructure.
  • Skill Badges & CertificationsEarn shareable digital credentials and skill badges that you can display on LinkedIn and work toward Google Cloud Certificates.
  • Google Skills ArcadeGamified learning challenges with badges, prizes, and swag rewards to make learning cloud skills more engaging.
  • GCP Credits via Faculty ProgramsGoogle Cloud Platform credits for coursework when your instructor applies for the Teaching & Learning credits program. The amount is set by the faculty request, often around $50.
  • Access to Most GCP ProductsFaculty-distributed credits can be used on most Google Cloud Platform and Maps Platform products for educational purposes.
  • Curated Learning PathsFollow structured learning paths designed to build your cloud expertise from beginner to advanced levels.

Fine print & gotchas

  • GCP billing credits need a faculty member to apply first. You can't request the GCP billing credits directly, though the 200 Skills credits you can.
  • For-profit institutions aren't supported. Eligibility is limited to non-profit, accredited/degree-granting schools.
  • Skills credits expire 1 year after issuance; faculty GCP credits redeem within 16 weeks, usable for 12 months.
  • Credits are for learning only. No commercial or personal use of GCP credits is allowed.

Common questions

Can I apply for GCP credits directly as a student?
No, GCP billing credits are distributed through faculty. You'll need to encourage your instructor to apply for the Teaching & Learning credits program. However, you can directly access 200 Google Skills credits for training and labs without faculty involvement.
What's the difference between Google Skills credits and GCP credits?
Google Skills credits are for training, labs, and earning skill badges on the learning platform. GCP credits are actual billing credits you can use on Google Cloud Platform services for your coursework and projects.
How long do the credits last?
Google Skills credits expire 1 year after issuance. Faculty-distributed GCP credits can be redeemed within 16 weeks and used for 12 months after your course start date.
Can I use GCP credits for personal or commercial projects?
No, GCP credits must be used in your capacity as a student for learning purposes. They cannot be used for commercial or personal use.
Are for-profit institutions eligible?
No, the program does not support for-profit institutions. Students must be enrolled at non-profit, regionally-accredited programs in the US or degree-granting institutions in eligible countries.
What can I build with the credits?
You can use GCP credits for most Google Cloud Platform products including Compute Engine, Cloud Storage, BigQuery, and Maps Platform products. There are quotas on projects, CPUs, and GPUs.
Can I use the credits on Vertex AI?
Yes, under its new name. Google renamed Vertex AI to the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform in April 2026, and the old cloud.google.com/vertex-ai address redirects there. Education credits work on the renamed platform the same way, so you can use them for model training, inference, and other AI workloads in your coursework.
Is there a new user trial I can also use?
Yes, all new Google Cloud users (including students) get $300 in free credits for 90 days plus access to the always-free tier on 20+ products. This is separate from the education credits.

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