Adobe Creative Cloud - Student Subscription FAQ
Graduating students or students losing access after the semester
If you are graduating or losing access, you will receive a notification email ahead of time. Please make sure you transfer any files from your Adobe account ahead of time. Adobe no longer offers a tool to automatically transfer your assets to a personal account. To transfer your assets to a personal account, please see: https://helpx.adobe.com/enterprise/kb/transfer-assets.html
We strongly recommend that you keep a backup of any files stored in Adobe cloud storage.
If you will still need Adobe Creative Cloud after you graduate, Adobe has a reduced pricing offer for graduating students:
Summer 2025 semester access
Students (for classes)
Summer semester access sign-ups are available now. Your professor will need to enroll your class for fall before you can sign up. They can do so now.
Previous semester access will be removed a week after the semester starts. If you are in an eligible class and re-enroll, you will regain/continue access.
Directions to activate your Adobe subscription for a class:
Before you can access your subscription, you'll need to go to the Campus Software Library, log in, click on Adobe for Students, and follow the directions (including completing the short form and checking the check box) to activate your subscription. You will need to do this even if you requested access last semester. After that is complete, please login to your UW account: Adobe Creative Cloud - Logging in with Your UW-Madison Account
Grad students
Please request access on this page for the academic year: Adobe Creative Cloud - How Instructors, Student Supervisors, and Faculty Can Provide Student Access for Classes or Campus Jobs.
Student Workers
Please have your supervisor request access on this page: Adobe Creative Cloud - How Instructors, Student Supervisors, and Faculty Can Provide Student Access for Classes or Campus Jobs.
Faculty/Staff Class Registration
Please visit this page to register your class: Adobe Creative Cloud - How Instructors, Student Supervisors, and Faculty Can Provide Student Access for Classes or Campus Jobs.
If your professor says your class has been added, follow these directions to get access:
Before you can access your subscription, you'll need to go to the Campus Software Library, click on Adobe for Students, and follow the directions to activate your subscription. You will need to do it for every semester. NOTE: only Fall 2024 access is available right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
I was in a class last year that gave me Adobe access. What happens for summer semester?
Previous access will be discontinued a week after the semester starts. You will keep access to any previously uploaded cloud items for 90 days after you lose access. Please download them before that 90 days expires or they will be removed by Adobe. If you are graduating, you can migrate your files using the link above. If you re-enroll, you will have regain access.
We strongly recommend that you always back up any files stored in the cloud.
I am a grad student who does not have Adobe access through an assistantship or other employment and need Adobe access for research, scholarship, and/or preparing my thesis/dissertation. How do I get access?
Campus is funding a limited number of licenses for grad students who need access to Adobe software on their personal devices. Fill out the form in the grad student section at this link: Adobe Creative Cloud - How Instructors, Student Supervisors, and Faculty Can Provide Student Access for Classes or Campus Jobs
If you only need short-term access, Adobe products are available in computer labs across campus.
I lost access to Adobe after signing up in a previous semester and I'm in an eligible class. What happened?
We removed access from previous semesters. Re-enroll through the directions above and your access will be restored.
I'm graduating/not enrolled in an eligible class this semester. How can I migrate my files from a UW account to my personal account?
Adobe provides directions on how to transfer your assets at this link: https://helpx.adobe.com/enterprise/kb/transfer-assets.html
We strongly encourage you to keep a separate backup of any files stored in the Adobe cloud storage at all times to prevent loss of access to your files.
Who can get these licenses?
Students enrolled in courses requiring CC or Acrobat can get access to the software if their instructors have requested it. Please see the instructions above.
How do I know if my instructors have requested CC or Acrobat subscriptions for students in my class?
Ask your instructor, or, if you haven't already done so, you can go to the Campus Software Library, click on the Adobe for Students link, and follow the instructions.
I've filled out and submitted the form linked from the Campus Software Library, how do I actually get the software on my computer?
You can follow the instructions in this KB doc to log into your UW account: Adobe Creative Cloud - Logging in with Your UW-Madison Account.
How does my instructor get CC or Acrobat access for the students in their course?
Instructors can follow these instructions to submit their courses: Adobe Creative Cloud - How Instructors, Student Supervisors, and Faculty Can Provide Student Access for Classes or Campus Jobs
I am a graduate student teaching a class. How do I get access for myself?
Please see this KB page: Adobe Creative Cloud - How Instructors, Student Supervisors, and Faculty Can Provide Student Access for Classes or Campus Jobs
Q: I am working a campus job and need Adobe software access as part of that job. How do I get access?
Have your supervisor fill out the form at this link: Adobe Creative Cloud - How Instructors, Student Supervisors, and Faculty Can Provide Student Access for Classes or Campus Jobs
What is Creative Cloud?
Adobe Creative Cloud is a set of applications and services that gives subscribers access to a collection of software used for graphic design, video editing, web development, photography, along with a set of mobile applications and also some optional cloud services.
How long do these subscriptions last?
These typically last for the duration of the semester. Grad student and student workers can request access for the current academic year (running fall to summer)
I'm not enrolled in any courses that require CC or Acrobat Pro, but I still want to use it. What's my best option?
You will be able to access Adobe Creative Cloud, Acrobat Pro and a variety of other software in computer labs across campus. For students interested in purchasing Adobe Creative Cloud for their own personal computer, Adobe offers a discounted price.