Overview
University of Alaska (UA) Adjunct/Temporary Faculty and Crafts & Trades Staff may have recently seen a pop-up in their Microsoft 365 applications (such as Word or Excel) stating that their license is expiring or has been downgraded. This is the result of a mandatory, system-wide change by Microsoft, which has discontinued the M365 A1 Plus license.
Affected users will continue to have full access to the online versions of Microsoft 365. You can still create, edit, and view all your documents directly in your web browser, and can access them by reviewing the M365 Online Web Apps section.
Departments that need to maintain desktop Microsoft 365 access for impacted users can purchase Microsoft 365 A5 licenses by reviewing the steps below.
In this article:
What materials do I need?
- Internet access
- Web browser (i.e. Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, etc)
- Department approval
- Department billing info
- Name(s) and UA username(s) needing a license
- Quantity of licenses
How do I use this technology?
To restore access to Microsoft 365 desktop applications, departments must purchase Microsoft 365 A5 for Faculty licenses for affected users.
Licensing Cost
As of November 2025:
- Annual Cost: $115.32 per user
- Prorated Cost (through June 30): $67.27 per user
- Co-terming: All licenses renew on June 30 to simplify budgeting and renewals.
Submit a Request
- Go to the Support For Office 365 @ UA form.
- Enter the following info in the following fields:
- Additional Contacts (Any other person(s) to be contacted regarding this request.)
- Enter the UA email address of the department approver and billing contact (fiscal technician)
- Title to Identify this Request by
- For example, "Requesting M365 licenses for adjunct" will suffice
- Is this to report that something is not working as it is supposed to?
- Provide any additional information about this request that you think will be helpful.
- Quantity of licenses
- Name(s) and UA username(s) needing a license
- Name of department approver
- Billing contact (fiscal technician)
- Org and Fund number
- Submit the ticket form once you are finished.
- Stand by for phone call or email updates from the ticket.
Is there any additional information I should know about?
M365 Online Web Apps
To create, edit, and view all your documents directly in your web browser, and can access them in two ways:
- In your preferred web browser, go to m365.cloud.microsoft/apps (requires UA login), or
- For files located in your OneDrive folder:
- Right-click your file.
- Hover over OneDrive.
- Select View Online to open them in the web app associated with their file type.
UA Emeriti
Emeritus who are working for any UA department in the capacity of an Adjunct Professor or Temporary employee may have access to a Microsoft M365 A5 license that must be approved and purchased by the department.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The following FAQs are answered in the Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise article.
- Is Microsoft Copilot available with my account?
- Can I continue to use the applications after I graduate or leave the University?
- Do I need a license key for Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise applications?
- How many devices can I install Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise on?
Need additional help or have issues
For departments needing assistance purchasing a M365 license, please review your Support For Office 365 @ UA ticket and submit a notified comment.
For M365 app support or licensing questions, requests may be submitted anytime using the appropriate Support For Office 365 @ UA form. Requests generate a Ticket which will be worked in order received and urgency by UAA Employees with the knowledge and permissions to assist with the request.
For immediate assistance please review the Contact Us page for the appropriate support group.