This article applies to licensing Microsoft 365 Education suites through OETC. Learn more about M365 or request a quote.
Formerly known as Full-Time Equivalent (FTE), Education Qualified User (EQU) is the new way that Microsoft calculates how many M365 licenses your institution will have to purchase.
What is an EQU?
Microsoft defines EQU as:
"An employee or contractor (except students) who accesses or uses an Education Platform Product for the benefit of the institution."
Note: Microsoft 365 A3 and A5 are the only Education Platform Products available on EES.
Who qualifies as an EQU?
- If an employee or contractor needs access to products or features from the M365 A3 or A5 suites to do their job, they are counted as an EQU.
- Student workers are not counted as EQUs and are covered by Student Benefit Licenses.
Light Users
All other staff who do not fit the EQU description such as cafeteria or facilities staff are classed as light users and can be licensed with the free Office 365 A1 suite.
Learn more about M365 licensing through OETC