Microsoft is offering students a $610 discount.

In a campaign called “The Ultimate Steal,” the computer software company is offering the Microsoft Office 2007 Ultimate Edition for $59.95, slashed down from the original price tag of $679.

The offer is valid until April 2008.

Students must be enrolled in at least .5 course credit hours at the time of purchase to qualify and are asked to use their NIU e-mail address to prove they are college students.

Microsoft reserves the right to request a current class schedule from the university, and if the student cannot produce one, they will be forced to pay the full retail price.

Some think the promotion is a good opportunity.

“I would buy it because it will help me succeed in school and give me the resources that other companies and businesses are looking for,” said junior English major Danielle Anderson.

The discount is a relief for Anderson.

“Saving that much money is a very good deal and very affordable for college students,” Anderson said.

The Ultimate Edition includes Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, the new OneNote and Publisher.