Body
*Effective Thursday, October 2nd 2025*
We are excited to introduce Microsoft Copilot to the TCNJ community! Copilot is now available to all students, faculty, and staff as part of our Microsoft 365 education license. This powerful AI assistant can help you write, analyze, summarize, brainstorm, and automate tasks, all through a secure, web-based experience.
While the education license does not include integration across Microsoft apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Teams, you can still access Copilot’s full conversational capabilities via the web.
Contents
- What is Microsoft Copilot?
- How to Access Copilot
- Key Features and Examples of Use
- Try GPT-5 Button
- FAQs
What is Microsoft Copilot?
Copilot is an AI-powered assistant developed by Microsoft. It can help you:
-
Draft emails and documents
-
Summarize articles and notes
-
Brainstorm ideas
-
Explain complex topics
-
Generate code and scripts
Copilot is available as a standalone experience, where you can interact with it in a chat-based format similar to other AI tools.
How to Access Copilot
To use Copilot securely and with full access under TCNJ’s license:
1. Go to copilot.microsoft.com and click on the “Sign in” button
2. Click “Sign in” on the secondary pop up
3. Click on the “Continue with Microsoft” button
4. Log in using your TCNJ account (e.g., username@tcnj.edu) and click “Next”
5. When accessing Copilot, you will not be prompted with TCNJ’s standard Single Sign-On (SSO) screen. Instead, you will see the standard Microsoft login page. Be sure to select “Work or school account Created by your IT department username@tcnj.edu”. This will ensure your data is protected within our Microsoft tenant.
6. Enter your TCNJ password.
7. Select the “Go to copilot.cloud.microsoft username @tcnj.edu” button under the “Work: A secure and compliant Copilot integrated with your enterprise account” section. This option will ensure your data is protected within our Microsoft tenant.
8. Finally, select the work account option that has your TCNJ email as the username.
Key Features and Examples of Use
For Academic Work and Research
-
Summarize articles: Paste a long document and ask Copilot to summarize key points.
-
Generate citations: Ask Copilot to format references in APA or MLA style.
-
Explain concepts: Request simplified explanations of complex theories or formulas.
For Communication and Productivity
-
Draft emails: Ask Copilot to write a professional email to a professor or colleague.
-
Create outlines: Provide a topic and let Copilot generate a structured outline for a paper or presentation.
-
Generate code: Ask Copilot to write scripts or troubleshoot programming issues.
For Creative and Everyday Tasks
Special Features Explained
Try GPT-5 Button
When using Copilot at copilot.microsoft.com, you may see a “Try GPT-5” button. This gives you access to the latest and most advanced version of the AI model, offering improved reasoning, creativity, and responsiveness.
Note: GPT-5 access is available when logged in with your TCNJ Microsoft account. This ensures your usage is covered under our education license and data protection policies.
Important Reminders
-
Use responsibly: Copilot is a tool to enhance your work, not replace critical thinking or academic integrity.
-
Avoid sensitive data: Do not input personally identifiable information (PII) or confidential data unless you're logged in with your TCNJ account.
-
Be specific: Clear prompts lead to better results. Include context, desired format, and tone when making requests.
FAQs
Q: Is Copilot the same as ChatGPT?
A: Copilot uses similar underlying technology (OpenAI’s models), but it is integrated into Microsoft’s ecosystem and governed by enterprise-grade data protection when used with your TCNJ account.
Q: Is my data safe when using Copilot?
A: Yes. When logged in with your TCNJ Microsoft account, your data is protected under our Microsoft 365 education license. Your conversations are not used to train public models and are not accessible to external reviewers.
Q: Can Copilot help with homework or assignments?
A: Copilot can assist with understanding topics, generating ideas, and improving writing. However, it should be used ethically and not as a shortcut for completing assignments.
Q: Are there usage limits with the education license?
A: Most core features are available without restriction. However, integration with Microsoft apps like Word, Excel, and Teams is not included in the education license.
Q: What apps support Copilot at TCNJ?
A: You can use Copilot via copilot.microsoft.com. Integration with desktop Microsoft 365 apps is not available under the current education license.
We encourage the campus community to check out the in depth resources provided by the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning about Artificial Intelligence (AI). Additionally, please check out our LinkedIn Learning course designed to provide the campus with some basic knowledge about the AI tools available at the college.
Additional Resources
Need More Help?
If you have questions or want to explore the basics of Copilot, we encourage you to attend one of our upcoming “Open Labs” on Oct 15 2PM-3PM & October 22 from 11AM-12PM in Library 2 computer lab. Seating is limited and registration is required. These sessions will include live demos, Q&A, and hands-on support. You can register by filling out this Google Form.
Visit the Help Desk main webpage for further details and registration.