Navigation
Select a link below to jump to that section:
Summary
Copilot Agents—created through Microsoft Copilot Studio—allow MSU users to build AI-powered assistants that automate workflows, answer questions, and retrieve institutional information. Integrated within MSU’s secure Microsoft 365 environment, Copilot Agents can support students, faculty, and staff by streamlining routine tasks and enabling department-specific automation.
Copilot Studio includes two levels of capability:
- Copilot Studio Lite – Included with Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses; allows users to build and share lightweight agents inside MSU.
- Full Copilot Studio – A premium, subscription-based platform enabling advanced automations, connectors, publishing options, and enterprise-level agent deployment.
Back to Top
Description
Microsoft Copilot Studio provides a visual, no-code environment for building custom AI agents that integrate directly with Microsoft 365 and institutional systems.
Copilot Agents can:
- Answer questions using organizational data sources, SharePoint sites, or uploaded content.
- Automate processes such as onboarding, scheduling, routing requests, or retrieving forms and guides.
- Interact with users through Microsoft Teams, websites, and other Microsoft 365 channels (deployment options depend on license type).
- Perform actions or workflows using Power Automate, APIs, or system connectors (full Copilot Studio required for advanced logic and integrations).
Back to Top
Copilot Studio Lite (Included with Microsoft 365 Copilot)
All MSU users licensed for Microsoft 365 Copilot can:
- Build lightweight agents using natural-language prompts, templates, and guided configuration tools.
- Test and iterate on agents directly within Microsoft 365.
- Share agents with other MSU users who have M365 Copilot licenses or departmental groups for internal tasks such as FAQs, document lookups, or workflow shortcuts.
Lite capabilities are limited to internal Microsoft 365 data and do not support external publishing, advanced connectors, or multi-channel deployment.
Back to Top
Full Copilot Studio (Premium Subscription)
MSU departments may purchase full Copilot Studio licenses to unlock additional functionality:
- Deploy Copilot Agents across Teams, websites, and Microsoft 365 apps.
- Connect to external systems, APIs, databases, and enterprise applications.
- Perform autonomous actions and advanced reasoning.
- Access detailed analytics, monitoring, and lifecycle management.
- Use message-pack licensing for high-volume interactions (25,000 messages per month per license; additional usage billed per message).
Full Copilot Studio follows Microsoft’s enterprise security and compliance model and operates within MSU’s existing Microsoft 365 tenant.
Back to Top
Data Classification and Acceptable Use
Use of Copilot Studio and Copilot Agents must comply with MSU’s data governance policies and acceptable use standards.
For permitted data classifications: Technology at MSU - AI Security | Michigan State University
For AI governance and responsible use guidelines: https://ai.msu.edu/guidelines
Agents may only access data for which the creator and users already have authorization. Sensitive or restricted institutional data should not be used unless explicitly allowed by MSU’s data governance framework.
Back to Top
Common Use Cases
Copilot Agents can support many MSU workflows, including:
- Automated responses for departmental FAQs (admissions, HR, advising, service requests).
- Student onboarding workflows—routing new students to forms, deadlines, or resources.
- Document retrieval agents that surface policies, procedures, or knowledge-base content.
- Task automation using Power Automate flows (full Copilot Studio required).
- Classroom-support agents that help faculty share materials or answer course-related questions.
- Internal support bots for IT, finance, research administration, or operational processes.
- Multi-step workflows that reduce email volume and manual intake work.
The system is designed so non-technical users can create agents while still enforcing MSU’s security and compliance boundaries.
Back to Top
Initial Purchase and Ongoing Costs
Copilot Studio Lite
Included with any Microsoft 365 Copilot license. No additional cost.
Full Copilot Studio (Premium)
Available through the MSU Tech Store as an annual subscription. To purchase, visit: Microsoft Copilot Studio Agents - Education - Subscription license | MSU Tech Store
Each license includes:
- 25,000 agent messages per month
- Monthly refresh of message capacity
- Additional usage billed at $0.01 per message
Back to Top
How to Request Assistance
For technical help, licensing questions, or guidance on building agents:
Back to Top
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How is Copilot Studio different from Microsoft 365 Copilot?
Microsoft 365 Copilot enhances productivity inside Office apps. Copilot Studio provides tools for building standalone agents that automate processes or answer organizational questions. Copilot Studio Lite is included with Microsoft 365 Copilot; full Copilot Studio requires a separate license.
Do Copilot Agents store MSU data externally?
No. Agent data is processed within Microsoft’s secure cloud environment. Neither prompts nor responses are used for model training.
Who can use agents I create?
Creators can share agents with individuals or groups inside MSU. Access depends on both the agent’s configuration and whether the user holds the required Microsoft 365 Copilot or Copilot Studio license.
Can agents access confidential or restricted data?
Only if MSU governance permits that data type and if both the agent creator and the agent user already have authorized access to the information source.
What happens if my department exceeds its monthly message allocation?
Usage beyond the 25,000-message monthly allotment is billed at Microsoft’s per-message rate. Departments can monitor usage through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
Can Copilot Studio be used for research or academic projects?
Yes, as long as all data and interactions comply with MSU data classification policy and AI governance guidelines.
Back to Top
Related Services / Offerings
Back to Top