Recently, ChatGPT has gained significant attention in the field of research due to its novelty and popularity. As a language model trained on large-scale datasets from various sources and designed to interact in a conversational way, ChatGPT is used across different domains. One such domain where ChatGPT could be applied is higher education. To explore the familiarity, potential uses, and ethical concerns surrounding ChatGPT among higher education students, we collected questionnaire survey responses from 325 students at Mohammed First University. Survey data revealed that a significant portion of participants (52.3%) use ChatGPT frequently, with daily or weekly usage, indicating its integration into study routines. Familiarity with ChatGPT varied across study levels and fields, with higher usage among master’s, doctoral, and engineering students, and those in Sciences and Technology. Students reported using ChatGPT for tasks such as explaining concepts, research assistance, and creative idea generation. Additionally, ChatGPT served as a source of emotional support, with 163 students using it for advice related to studies. Regarding the ethics of employing ChatGPT, the results show uncertainty among students, particularly for certain academic tasks.