Summary
This article explains Adobe licensing changes at USNH as of September 28, 2025. It also contains frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding the transition to the new licensing arrangement.
What's Changing
Adobe licensing options at the University System of New Hampshire (USNH) are being updated for students, faculty and staff. See Adobe Applications: Signing In for instructions.
Classroom Podium Computers & Computer Labs (ET&S-managed):
- No changes – full Adobe licensing remains available on these managed devices.
Faculty & Staff:
- Access to Acrobat Sign and Adobe Acrobat Pro continues (via Company Portal / Self Service) for all faculty and staff – no need to request this access.
- Adobe Express Premium is available to all at express.adobe.com
- Full Creative Cloud desktop software licensing is limited to faculty and staff with academic or business needs. Request must be made by your supervisor using the Accounts Management System. See instructions below
Students:
- Adobe Express Premium is available to all at express.adobe.com
- Creative Cloud desktop software is available to select students based on course enrollment in specific courses. Your professor should know if Adobe Creative Cloud is part of your course or not.
Transition Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1 - Why is Adobe Licensing Changing?
Q2 - When do these Adobe license changes take effect?
Q3 - Will I lose access to my Creative cloud files?
Q4 - Will I lose my current Creative Cloud software access?
Q5 - How do faculty/staff request a full Creative Cloud license?
Q6 - Can I still access full Creative Cloud software somewhere?
Q7 - How can my student workers have access to Adobe Creative Cloud apps for their job?
Q8 - How do I request to have Adobe software added to a shared computer?
Q9 - Will these changes affect Adobe access in classrooms or computer labs?
Q10 - How do I sign into Adobe software?
Q11 - What can I do with free Acrobat Reader?
Q12 - What happens when I graduate or leave USNH?
Answers
A1 - Why is Adobe licensing changing?
Adobe has changed its licensing model. These modifications are designed to align resources with usage patterns while continuing to support academic and professional needs.
Back to Questions
A2 - When do these Adobe license changes take effect?
Adobe license changes take effect on September 28, 2025.
Back to Questions
A3 - Will I lose access to my Creative Cloud files?
No, you can still access your files and libraries online through adobe.com .
Back to Questions
A4 - Will I lose my current Creative Cloud software access?
Most faculty and staff will lose full access to Creative Cloud software applications on September 28, 2025. When you sign into an Adobe software application, you will see a message that you no longer have access.
Faculty and staff will retain full access to Adobe Acrobat Pro and Adobe Sign – no request needed to use these products.
Faculty and staff will have full access to Adobe Express Premium .
Faculty/staff with a demonstrated academic or business need for the full desktop version of Adobe Creative Cloud software apps may request a full Creative Cloud license.
Back to Questions
A5- How do faculty/staff request a full Creative Cloud license?
If you need a Creative Cloud license for a demonstrated academic or business need, please have your supervisor or department chair apply using the AMS: Accounts Management System.
Step 1 - Go to ams.usnh.edu
Step 2 - Login
Step 3 - Go to Add/Edit Access for Existing User
Step 4 - Input the employee’s information
Step 5 - Choose Adobe Desktop Client from the list and click Next
Step 6 - Fill in the required fields: Institution, Department, and Business Reason for needing the software
Step 7 - Click Submit Request
Back to Questions
A6 - Can I still access full Creative Cloud software somewhere?
Yes! You can use the full Adobe Creative Cloud suite of applications in any computer lab managed by ET&S.
Back to Questions
A7 - How can my student workers have access to Adobe Creative Cloud software apps for their job?
Student workers are not eligible for a faculty/staff license, but you can request to have the software installed on a shared computer in your office for them to use when they are at work.
Back to Questions
A8 - How do I request to have Adobe software added to a shared computer?
If you have a computer shared by various people (such as student workers, research lab workers) who need to use Adobe apps beyond Acrobat Pro, you can request that ET&S install the software on the computer for use by anyone when they are logged in on that device. Submit a USNH Provided or Licensed Software support ticket for Help with installing software/admin credentials.
Back to Questions
A9 - Will these changes affect Adobe access in classrooms or computer labs?
No. Full Adobe Creative Cloud desktop applications will remain installed on classroom podium computers and on computers in labs/clusters managed by ET&S.
Back to Questions
A10 - How do I sign into Adobe software?
To sign into any Adobe software, first identify yourself with your campus email address (firstname.lastname@campus.edu, like Jim.Doe@unh.edu), then sign into your USNH account with your username@usnh.edu (like jbd2519@usnh.edu). For detailed instructions, see Adobe Applications: Signing In .
Back to Questions
A11 - What can I do with free Acrobat Reader?
Free Adobe Acrobat Reader lets you open, view, print, share, annotate, and digitally sign a PDF form or document without the need of Acrobat Pro or Creative Cloud.
Back to Questions
A12 - What happens when I graduate or leave USNH?
You need to copy/move your files outside of Adobe Cloud. Once your USNH account is no longer functional, you will lose access to your Adobe Cloud files tied to your USNH account.
You can find more information about what happens to your Adobe Cloud files once you graduate at graduation.adobe.com .
Further Readings
Adobe Applications: Signing In
Adobe Acrobat Sign: Getting Started
Computer Labs
Accounts Management System - https://ams.usnh.edu
Adobe Support Links
Need additional help?
Submit a USNH Provided or Licensed Software support ticket or visit the Technology Help Desk Support page. For password issues you must call or visit the Help Desk in person.