I have never had to pay $69.99 or $6.99 a month for word. WHAT is going on?

I have been using word document on my previous laptop for years and never has it asked me to subscribe to word or to reactivate word again. Now that I have a new laptop and went through the same process as with my previous one, after one year of using word, it all of a sudden is asking me to reactivate word. I have never had to pay $69.99 or $6.99 a month of word. WHAT is going on?
It has the options to BUY, to HAVE PRODUCT KEY, and ADD THIS COMPUTER TO ACTIVE ACCOUNT.

I have already tried the last option mentioned above but that did not work. I entered my email and password but it denies me entrance. I'm not sure if or where I have the product key. Please Help! I'm a college kid, and I do not have $70(plus tax) to be throwing away.

Not that it matters but if it helps, my laptop is:
Lenovo purchased 2016 in August

Thank you in advance to the computer genius that can help me without paying.

This is your special Billgatesey Tax you pay for not using linux and other open source things.

~
Go here:

https://www.libreoffice.org/

Ask your college - they may have a license for you to use.
ALL software has to be properly licensed…

Word was never free. You bought new computer with 60 days Word trial version. After 60 days you have to buy Word to own it. You can buy Word on amazon.com.It, probably, will be cheaper.
Monthly payment is for Office 365