New Microsoft Exchange Online email rate limits for students

From: Division of Information Technology

Virginia Tech is implementing new email sending limits for Exchange Online users. These new limits will allow the university to get ahead of similar limits that Microsoft is planning to impose sometime this year. The new limits enable most normal email usage while limiting the ability of attackers to use compromised VT email accounts at the university to spread phishing attacks.

On March 10, 2025, at 10 a.m., the following limits to sending email from student accounts will go into effect:

• Recipients per hour: 300

• Recipients per day: 2,000 

If you hit one or both limits, you will be added to Microsoft’s Restricted Users list, which will block your ability to send emails. Administrative intervention will be needed to reinstate your email sending privileges. Contact 4Help IT Support online at 4help.vt.edu or by phone at 540-231-4357 to have your email privileges reinstated.

If you frequently send bulk email, plan your sends so that they don’t exceed this limit.  If you have a recurring need to perform bulk email sending using your Virginia Tech Exchange Online account, you have options. Please see Understanding Bulk Email (vt.edu) for details.