Adobe Creative Cloud Student License

Owned by Andrew Molloy
Last updated: May 06, 2024
3 min read
If you're looking for SU's main Adobe page, go here.

The School of Architecture provides Adobe Creative Cloud licenses for all students in the Architecture program, with the cost covered by the existing program fee. We intend to offer this software in future years as well if costs remain stable.

Why is the school purchasing student Adobe licenses?

We are able to get a dramatically lower price on student licenses. The Adobe license is the most expensive software requirement for the program, and the school had been looking for ways to reduce that cost.

Are there limitations to the school license?

  • When you switch to the school-provided license, content stored in your personal Adobe account (if you have one) will not migrate over. For example: files stored in Adobe's Cloud, web pages set up in Portfolio, prototypes created in XD, etc. Be sure to download any content before canceling your personal Adobe subscription.
  • In most cases, you can reupload your content after switching to the school license.

How do I use the school license if I already have Adobe CC installed?

  • If you already have the Adobe Creative Cloud installed, and are currently signed in using your own personal subscription, sign out of the apps first, before completing the next step.
  • Sign into the Adobe apps using your SU Adobe ID, which is your SU email address. 
  • After entering your @syr.edu address, you may see a choice between ‘Personal’ and ‘Company or School Account'. 
  • Pick Company/School Account and go through the authentication process, which involves entering your SU email and SU password, and entering a text message code.
  • More info on the sign-in process is available on the ITS Adobe page.

How do I use the school license if I have never installed Adobe CC?

  • Download and install the Adobe Desktop app by following the Adobe Creative Cloud download instructions.
  • Sign into the Adobe Desktop app using your SU Adobe ID, which is your SU email address. 
  • After entering your @syr.edu address, you may see a choice between ‘Personal’ and ‘Company or School Account’ account. 
  • Pick Company/School Account and go through the authentication process, which involves entering your SU email and SU password, and entering a text message code.
  • More info on the sign-in process is available on the ITS Adobe page.

What if I already purchased my own Adobe license?

  • You may wish to disable auto-renewal or cancel your personal subscription. 
  • There may be opportunity for a refund. 
  • Adobe's Customer Service number is (800) 833-6687.
  • A student reported that Adobe said a personal subscription can be canceled at any time once the initial 1-year contract has been satisfied. The student had to call back twice to get an Adobe representative that knew about this, but was then able to get a refund.

I'm having trouble canceling my personal license since I used my @syr.edu email address with my personal Adobe ID.

  • In a web browser, open a Private/Incognito browser window.
  • Sign into your personal Adobe account at https://account.adobe.com/.
  • Use your @syr.edu email address but make sure to pick Personal and *not* school/work when asked.
  • Now that you are logged in as your personal account, you should see your paid plan and be able to click it to cancel.
  • While you are logged in, also change the email address on your personal account to something different than your @syr.edu. This will help reduce confusion in the future and you won’t have to constantly pick between personal and company/school.
  • Make sure to logout of your personal account when done.

Will I have access to the software over the summer, and between the fall and spring semesters? What about when I'm abroad in Florence, London or elsewhere?

  • Yes, as long as you are still enrolled in the degree program, you will have access to the software.

What happens when I graduate or am no longer enrolled?

  • Your license will revert back to a personal free Adobe license (without access to the paid apps). You will have 90 days to remove any content stored in the Adobe Cloud.
  • Transfer all your saved Adobe assets to your Adobe personal license using their migration tool. You can transfer many assets automatically, including Portfolio websites. Assets that must be transferred manually include Lightroom photos and fonts.

Are there alternatives to Adobe once I leave the program?

Here are a few alternatives that may be worth looking into:

Need help? Contact archit@syr.edu.