Google AI Pro for Students (Gemini Membership): Eligibility, Deadline and What to Know (2026)
8 min read
What people call "Gemini membership" or "Gemini Pro" is officially named Google AI Pro. Google offers students enrolled at US colleges a student deal: Google AI Pro for free, for up to 12 months. This article covers who qualifies, when the offer ends and what you have to do yourself afterwards, then explains which step Xingqiao handles, what it costs and when you get a refund.
The short version: if you are not a student at a US college, don't buy. Google decides who qualifies, and Xingqiao cannot unlock the offer for anyone who doesn't.
Who this article is for
- Chinese-speaking students at US colleges who want Gemini membership (Google AI Pro) but keep getting stuck on student verification.
- People who know there is a student offer but aren't sure whether they qualify, when it ends, or whether they will be charged later.
Not for: students in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau or any other country or region; graduates without a school email; anyone planning to use someone else's school details or someone else's Google account.
What is Google AI Pro, and is it the same as "Gemini membership" or "Gemini Pro"?
Yes, it's the same thing. Google AI Pro is Google's paid Gemini membership, officially $19.99/mo. It gives you stronger models and higher limits in the Gemini app, plus extra Google storage and other perks; check one.google.com for what is currently included.
"Gemini" on its own is the model name. "Gemini membership" and "Gemini Pro" are what people call the paid plan, and searches for either almost always mean Google AI Pro.
Who qualifies for the student offer
Under Google's student offer terms, you must meet all of the following:
- You are enrolled at a US college (currently studying at a university or college in the US).
- You are 18 or older.
- You have a school email and can complete student verification with your own school details.
- You use a personal Google account (not a school-issued Workspace account, and not someone else's account).
A few more things to know:
- Only students at US colleges get Google AI Pro. In some other countries and regions Google's student offer is Google AI Plus, not AI Pro, with fewer perks; check Google's local page.
- Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau are not covered. Students there don't qualify, so please don't buy.
- Google makes the final call on eligibility. The offer is tied to your own account and cannot be transferred.
Deadline: December 31, 2026
Google's student offer ends on December 31, 2026. Xingqiao's "Google AI Pro for students, 12 months" is a limited-time offer and comes down automatically at the deadline. If you can still see the card on the pricing page, you can still order.
Student verification takes time, so order early and submit your student verification link soon after paying. Don't leave it to the last few days.
Three things you do yourself after activation
Once activated (your Google account shows the student Google AI Pro plan as active), the following are up to you:
- Add your own Visa or Mastercard in Google. Google requires a payment method on the account and may make a small verification charge that is refunded later.
- Cancel auto-renewal. Cancel the subscription in your membership settings at one.google.com. You keep using it until the end of the offer period (the date Google shows), and you won't be charged $19.99/mo afterwards. It's worth putting the end date in your calendar.
- Re-verify your student status every year. Google will ask you to verify again; once you graduate or stop studying, the offer no longer applies.
Membership lasts up to 12 months, as actually applied by Google. If Google changes or ends the promotion early, or you fail re-verification, the actual period may be shorter.
Which step Xingqiao handles
Xingqiao does the upgrade: after paying, you submit your student verification link and the email of the Google account to upgrade, and Xingqiao completes the student verification by hand so your account gets the student Google AI Pro plan. No Google password is needed at any point, and we never sign in to your account.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Plan | Google AI Pro for students, 12 months (Gemini membership / Gemini Pro) |
| Price | ¥99/yr (site price as of 2026-10-20; official price $19.99/mo) |
| Payment | WeChat Pay at the RMB list price; or Alipay, bank card or Apple Pay (Stripe checkout, charged in HKD; your statement shows the actual amount) |
| You submit | Your student verification link and Google account email, and tick "I am a student at a US college using my own school details" |
| Delivery | Activation: your Google account shows the student Google AI Pro plan as active |
| Membership | Up to 12 months, as actually applied by Google |
| Refunds | Full refund if verification fails; no refund or exchange after activation |
How to get your student verification link
Do this after paying. The version with screenshots is on the Google AI Pro for students service page.
- In a computer browser, sign in to the personal Google account you want to upgrade, open https://gemini.google/students/ (the Taiwan page https://gemini.google/tw/students/?hl=zh-TW also works), and click the button to apply for the free student plan.
- On the university student offer page, check that it shows Google AI Pro, free for 12 months, then click the button to get the student offer.
- In the dialog, click Continue. You are taken to SheerID's "Verify your student status" page.
- Don't fill in the form on that page and don't click Verify. Copy the full URL from the browser address bar (it starts with https://services.sheerid.com/verify/ and contains verificationId) and paste it into the student verification link box on your Xingqiao order page.
The student verification link is used only for this upgrade. Please submit the link from your own account.
How to order
- Open Google AI Pro for students, 12 months on the pricing page and read the eligibility and deadline notes first.
- Choose a payment method and pay.
- After paying, get your student verification link with the 4 steps above, then submit it with your Google account email on the order page and tick the eligibility confirmation. Each order accepts only the first successful submission, so double-check before submitting.
- Verification usually takes 3–5 minutes after you submit (actual time may vary). When you get the notice, go back to the Google One page, continue confirming and add your own Visa or Mastercard (an international card) as prompted; Google may make a small verification charge and refund it. Once your account shows the student Google AI Pro plan, activation is complete.
- After activation, cancel auto-renewal in Google One subscription management so you aren't charged US$19.99/mo after 12 months.
Refund rules
- Verification fails: full refund. Any order that isn't activated, including when student verification isn't approved, is refunded in full.
- No refund or exchange after activation. No refunds or exchanges because you stop using it, change your mind or Google changes the offer later.
- If you neither submit a student verification link nor request a refund within 30 days of paying, the order is treated as abandoned and is no longer refundable.
Full terms are in the refund policy.
Limited time, for students at US colleges
Google AI Pro for students, 12 months ¥99/yr
Full refund if verification fails, ends 2026-12-31
FAQ
I study in mainland China (or Hong Kong or Macau). Can I buy?
No. The offer is only for students at US colleges; students in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau are not covered. Students in other countries and regions mostly get Google AI Plus, not AI Pro. Please don't buy.
Is membership guaranteed to last 12 months?
No. What we promise is up to 12 months, as actually applied by Google. If Google changes or ends the promotion early, or you don't pass the yearly re-verification, the actual period may be shorter; there is no refund or exchange after activation.
Why do I need to add my own card? Will I be charged?
Google requires a payment method on the account. Adding a card may trigger a small verification charge that is refunded. As long as you cancel auto-renewal before the offer period ends, you won't be charged $19.99/mo afterwards.
Do I need to give you my Google password?
No. Xingqiao only needs your student verification link and the email of the Google account to upgrade. We don't sign in to your account.
What if verification fails?
Any order that isn't activated gets a full refund.
Can I still buy after the deadline?
No. Google's student offer ends on December 31, 2026. Xingqiao's plan comes down automatically at that point, disappears from the pricing page and can no longer be checked out.
Can I keep using it after I graduate?
The student offer requires you to be enrolled, and Google asks you to re-verify your student status every year. Once you are no longer studying, the offer no longer applies.