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How to Access ChatGPT with Your BYU-Idaho CES Subscription

Audience: BYU-Idaho employees who have been provisioned a ChatGPT Edu license through the Church Educational System (CES) Prerequisites: You must have an active CES ChatGPT license assigned to your BYU-Idaho account before following these steps. If you're unsure whether you've been provisioned, contact your department administrator or the BYU-Idaho IT Help Desk.

Step 1: Go to ChatGPT​

Open your browser and navigate to https://chatgpt.com. You'll land on the ChatGPT homepage, which has a dark theme and a left sidebar showing options like New chat, Search chats, Images, Apps, and Deep research.

In the top-right corner, click the "Log in" button.

Tip: Even if you see an "Ask anything" prompt, do not start typing there. You must be logged in to access your institutional subscription.

Step 2: Enter Your BYU-Idaho Username​

A dialog will appear titled "Log in or sign up". You'll see several authentication options (Google, Apple, Microsoft, phone) as well as an Email address input field.

Do not use the Google, Apple, or Microsoft buttons. Instead, click the Email address field and type your BYU-Idaho username in this format:

username@byui.edu

Replace username with your BYU-Idaho username (the same one you use to log in to BYU-Idaho systems, not your email address). Then click Continue.

Important: This is your username, not your email address. It is used as your identifier in the authentication system. If a dropdown appears suggesting saved addresses from openai.com, ignore those and do not select them.

Step 3: Choose "Church Educational System"​

After entering your @byui.edu address, you'll be taken to a page asking "How do you want to log in?" with several method buttons listed vertically.

Click "Church Educational System". It will typically appear as the first or top option when your @byui.edu address is recognized.

Step 4: Select "Use BYU-Idaho" on the CES Sign-In Page​

You'll be redirected to the BYU Church Educational System sign-in page, which displays logos for all CES institutions horizontally at the top: BYU (navy), BYU-Hawaii (red), BYU-Idaho (blue), BYU-Pathway (gold), and Ensign College (green).

Under the "Sign In" heading, click the bright blue button labeled "Use BYU-Idaho". It's the third option in the list and matches BYU-Idaho's brand color.

Step 5: Complete BYU-Idaho Authentication​

After clicking "Use BYU-Idaho," you may be redirected to the Church login page. Depending on your session state, you may:

  • Be signed in automatically if you already have an active BYU-Idaho SSO session in your browser
  • Be prompted to enter your Church credentials and complete multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Follow the prompts to enter your Church credentials and complete Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) if prompted.

Step 6: Confirm You're in the CES Workspace​

Once authentication is complete, your browser will return to chatgpt.com. You'll know the institutional login was successful when:

  • The page greets you with "Where should we begin?" (the authenticated homepage)
  • The bottom-left corner of the sidebar shows your name and "CES ChatGPT" beneath it
  • You see access to GPTs, Projects, and your chat history in the sidebar
  • An "Organization knowledge" button is visible on the main screen

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Returning Users: Faster Login​

If you've logged in before, ChatGPT may show a "Welcome back" dialog with your @byui.edu account listed. Simply click your account tile to skip re-entering your email and go directly to the "How do you want to log in?" screen (Step 3 above).

Requesting a ChatGPTEdu License​

In order to get access to CES ChatGPT, you will need to fill out a form through the BYU Provo website to request a license. This is due to a limited license availability.

  1. Go to this site: https://genai.byu.edu/obtaining-a-chatgpt-edu-license
  2. Click the blue button that says "Apply for a ChatGPT Edu License Here"
  3. You will be directed to a Microsoft form to fill out. Read through questions, clicking the button indicating you understand and agree to each one
  4. When you get to the page asking for your "CES Institution NetID or Username", enter your BYUI username (i.e. what you use to log in to your computer) + @byui.edu, not your BYUI email address!
  5. Select BYU-Idaho as the institution, and finish filling out the form

If a license is available, you will be notified by email that you have received a CES ChatGPT Edu license.

Troubleshooting​

I don't see "Church Educational System" as an option. This usually means your @byui.edu address wasn't entered correctly, or your account hasn't been provisioned yet.

I'm being asked to create a new OpenAI account. You've likely landed in the standard consumer sign-up flow. Close the dialog, click "Log in" again, and make sure to use your username@byui.edu address, not a personal email.

The CES page redirects to an error or "access denied" screen. Your license may not be active. Contact the BYU-Idaho IT Help Desk or your department's ChatGPT license administrator for assistance.

I'm signed into a personal ChatGPT account and don't see the CES workspace. Click your profile icon (bottom-left corner), select Log out, then follow this guide from Step 1 to sign in with your BYU-Idaho credentials.