Buying Microsoft Copilot? Watch the New Usage Billing and Check the Nonprofit Discount

Microsoft 365 Copilot, the AI assistant built into Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams, is getting real interest from small businesses. Two recent Microsoft changes are worth knowing before you buy.

1. Usage-based billing will be on by default

New Microsoft 365 Copilot Business subscriptions bought through a Microsoft partner will come with pay-as-you-go billing already set up. Microsoft first announced this for November 2 and has since moved it to December 1, 2026.

Your monthly per-user license still covers everyday Copilot use. The pay-as-you-go part covers some advanced features (Microsoft names Copilot Cowork, Work IQ APIs and GitHub Copilot Harness) plus future pay-as-you-go services, charged to a connected Azure subscription.

That doesn’t mean surprise charges are automatic, but it does create a path for them. Before buying:

• Set a monthly spending limit and budget alerts.
• Decide who is allowed to approve usage charges.
• Review the preset settings instead of accepting the defaults.

2. A bigger discount for nonprofits and churches

Microsoft announced on September 24 that eligible nonprofit customers can now combine Copilot promotions of 15%, 20%, 30% or 40% with the existing 15% nonprofit offer, through December 31, 2026. Before, it was one or the other. Eligibility depends on the specific plan and promotion, so get a real quote before deciding.

Before you turn on Copilot anywhere

Copilot can find and summarize anything a user already has access to in email, OneDrive, SharePoint and Teams. If old folders are shared too widely, such as payroll, HR files or board minutes, Copilot will happily surface them. A quick permissions cleanup first is the most important step, and it is good security even if you never buy Copilot.

Is Copilot worth it for you?

For some teams it saves hours a week; for others it’s an expensive novelty. We will give you an honest answer, set up spending controls and clean up permissions first. Call us at 620-960-8711 or see our managed IT services.

Sources: Topedia: Copilot Business PAYG preconfigured (updated Oct. 3) · Microsoft Partner Center: September 2026 announcements