The annual back-to-school season has arrived again, and as usual, Google is rolling out student plans. But this year, when this offering reaches students in Taiwan, it has clearly shrunk. American students still get the top-tier Google AI Pro free for a year, but students outside the US, including Taiwan, can only get the mid-tier Google AI Plus this year. Storage has been cut from 2TB to 400GB, usage limits have been cut from 4x to 2x, and last year’s integration with Gmail and Google Docs is no longer included in the plan description.
What exactly does the Google Student Plan 2026 offer?
On August 19, Google announced in its official blog that it will offer a one-year free AI subscription plan to eligible college students worldwide. However, the plan varies by region:
- American studentGoogle AI Pro (originally $19.99/month), includes 4x higher Gemini usage limits, Gemini Spark model, Gmail and Google Docs integration, 5TB storage, Google Health Premium
- Non-American student(Including Taiwan): Google AI Plus (original price $4.99/month, Taiwan NT$165/month), includes 2x Gemini usage limit, Gemini Omni model, and 400GB storage space.
Google Taiwan also followed suit on August 20.Released the local version.explaining that eligible Taiwanese college and university students can use Google AI Plus for free for one year. The redemption deadline is December 31, 2026, and a valid payment method must be linked when applying. If not canceled after the free period ends, the system will automatically charge NT$165 per month.
Compared to last year’s plan: what’s been cut back is more than just a little.
Looking back at October 2025, Google also onceIntroducing AI Pro free plan for Taiwan students.At that time, Taiwan got the highest-tier Google AI Pro, exactly the same plan as US students, but the perks were reduced.
Compare the two-year plans side by side, and the difference is clear:
- Solution level2025 Google AI Pro (top-tier) vs 2026 Google AI Plus (mid-range)
- Cloud storage2 TB vs 400 GB (only one-fifth left)
- Usage limit4x vs 2x (halved)
- Google Applications IntegrationGmail, Docs, Sheets, and Meet can all use Gemini, vs. other countries where this isn’t available.
- NotebookLMAdvanced features vs not mentioned
- Health Premium: Existence vs Non-existence
- Monthly fee after expiration: At that time, it showed $19.99/month vs NT$165/month (about $5/month)
Google itself has clearly stated this difference in its official English blog: students in the U.S. get AI Pro (valued at $19.99/month, roughly NT$650), while students in other markets get AI Plus (valued at $4.99/month, roughly NT$165), and this is not specific to Taiwan. The company has not explained why this gap exists between the U.S. and other markets.
Pro is exclusive to the US; the rest of the world gets Plus.
In response to this phenomenon, foreign media directly used “Google Gives Students a Free Year of Gemini, but Not the Same Plan EverywhereAs a headline, point out this inequality. The report mentions that the two plans are not the same product with different labels; AI Pro has 5 times the storage of Plus, twice the usage cap, and also includes Google app integration and Health Premium.
The list of excluded countries is also worth a look. Google’s terms state that the non-US plans apply to “over 140 markets,” but exclude the US, Bolivia, Albania, Canada, Macau, Hong Kong, and Tunisia. Canadian students have it worst—they miss out on both ends, unable to get the US AI Pro, and also unable to apply for AI Plus because they’re on the exclusion list.
What are the application requirements?
Whichever option you choose, the application process and requirements are basically the same:
- College students aged 18 and above (some markets indicate 18-24 years old)
- Use a personal Google account (cannot use the school’s Workspace for Education account)
- To verify student status through SheerID, Google may require a valid school email address.
- You need to have a Google Payments account with a valid payment method linked.
- If you have already subscribed to Google One or are a member of a family group, you may not be eligible.
The application process is also very straightforward—just go to one.google.com/ai-student or gemini.google/tw/students/ (Taiwan) After logging into your personal Google account, just follow the instructions. Note that the offer does not apply to Workspace for Education accounts provided by schools; the school email is only used for SheerID identity verification, and Google AI Plus is activated on your own personal account.
The automatic renewal trap one year later.
Finally, there’s the usual issue with Google’s student plan: after the free year ends, if you don’t manually cancel, the system will automatically switch you to a paid subscription. In Taiwan, the plan is NT$165 per month. However, Google allows you to cancel at any time during the promotional period, and your membership will remain active until the original 12-month promo period ends. Just remember that you can even cancel on the very day you sign up without losing your free eligibility—this way you won’t forget later and get charged.
What other AI learning features are available in the new semester?
In addition to the plan itself, Google has also rolled out a series of new learning features available to all Gemini users:
- Study NotebookAfter uploading classroom materials, Gemini will automatically generate a study plan, complete with diagnostic tests and progress tracking.
- Student Zone (Student Hub)Course Management Center, which consolidates materials and learning progress across all subjects.
- Interactive VisualizationsCan generate 3D dynamic models and interactive charts, such as a rotatable DNA structure.
- Deep Research integrates with Gemini LiveVoice-activated multi-step research reports, with notifications after closing the app so you can come back to discuss the results.
- Solve problems with Smart LensTake a photo to get step-by-step problem-solving guidance.
These features are indeed practical for students, especially the study notebook, which can turn a whole semester’s lecture handouts into structured review material. However, note that Gemini will read your syllabus and automatically add exam and assignment dates to Google Calendar. Google says it needs user authorization, but you’re essentially giving Gemini write access to your course documents and calendar, so whether to enable it is your call.
Should I apply or not?
If you’re already a student paying for an AI subscription, a free year is obviously a good deal—you’d save nearly NT$2,000. If you had no intention of paying in the first place, this is a one-year lead-gen offer, with your card number waiting on the other end. Whether you get charged after a year is entirely up to you. The safest move is to cancel the subscription on the day you sign up.
As for the gap compared to last year’s plan, to be honest, it doesn’t affect most students much—the free AI Plus is already more than enough for studying, organizing notes, and putting together reports.Honestly, it’s still pretty generous.However, Google’s differential treatment—a full American meal for the US, but a simple meal for other markets—is bound to leave a bad taste in the mouths of Taiwanese students who got the Pro last year.
Source: KOCPC Chinese