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How to activate GitHub Copilot Student

Copilot Student is activated through GitHub Education, not by completing a normal paid checkout. Verification approval and Copilot activation can be separate steps.

Published September 20, 2026 · 4 min read · For verified github education students · Source verified 2026-09-20

Who qualifies

GitHub’s current documentation says verified GitHub Education students receive free access to Copilot features. You first need a GitHub Education student verification, and GitHub reevaluates eligibility every month. The public documentation does not promise that every Copilot model or feature is permanently included.

  • Use the GitHub account that holds your Education benefit.
  • Keep your student verification current.
  • Treat the live Copilot plan screen as the source of truth for the models, limits, and features currently available.

Claim steps

GitHub separates Education approval from Copilot activation. Follow these steps in order so you do not accidentally subscribe to a paid plan.

  1. 1Open GitHub Settings → Education benefits and start or complete the student application if you are not already verified.
  2. 2Under Free GitHub developer resources for students and teachers, choose Learn more for Copilot Student.
  3. 3Follow the activation prompts and configure the Copilot use policies for your needs.
  4. 4Open Copilot settings and confirm the active plan before installing or relying on the extension.

If it still shows Free or paid checkout

GitHub says the benefit can take several days to apply after Education approval. You can try the Copilot settings page or GitHub’s direct free-signup page, but do not enter payment details or complete a purchase when only paid options appear. If the problem continues after several days, contact GitHub Support.

  • Check that you are signed into the verified GitHub account.
  • Wait for the monthly eligibility state and activation state to synchronize.
  • Recheck the official plan page before describing a particular monthly quota as current.

Common questions

Is Copilot Student a paid trial?

GitHub documents it as a free student benefit for verified GitHub Education students. The exact feature set remains subject to the live plan and eligibility state.

What if GitHub asks me to pay?

Do not complete the checkout. GitHub says approval and activation can be separate and recommends waiting or contacting Support if the benefit does not appear.