If you’re a student looking to dive into coding, development, or launching a side project, GitHub has your back. With the GitHub Student Developer Pack, you get free access to premium tools and resources used by professionals — from cloud credits to design tools, domains, and more.
But before you start, it’s important to complete all the required steps, including setting up your GitHub account properly. In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through everything — from account setup to final approval.
What is GitHub Education?
GitHub Education is an initiative by GitHub to empower students and educators by offering free access to development tools and resources. The crown jewel is the Student Developer Pack, which includes:
- GitHub Pro (private repositories + advanced features)
- Free cloud credits (DigitalOcean, Heroku, Microsoft Azure, etc.)
- Free domains (Namecheap)
- Premium tools (Canva Pro, Notion, MongoDB Atlas, etc.)
- Learning platforms (Educative, JetBrains, etc.)
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for GitHub Education, you must:
- Be enrolled in a degree or diploma-granting course (high school, college, or university)
- Be at least 13 years old
- Have a GitHub account
- Be able to verify your student status
- Have Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) enabled on your account
Full Step-by-Step Guide to Join GitHub Education
Step 1: Create a GitHub Account
- Go to https://github.com
- Click Sign Up
- Enter your email address, username, and password
- Choose your preferences and complete CAPTCHA
- Submit to create your account
Step 2: Verify Your Email Address
After signing up:
- Check your inbox for an email from GitHub
- Click the confirmation link inside to verify your email
This is mandatory before applying to GitHub Education.
Step 3: Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
GitHub requires you to enable 2FA to apply for the Student Developer Pack.
- Go to your profile picture > Settings
- Navigate to "Password and authentication"
- Under Two-factor authentication, click "Enable two-factor authentication"
- Choose your method:
- Authenticator App (e.g., Google Authenticator, Authy)
- SMS (less secure, but accepted)
- Scan the QR code or enter the key manually in your app
- Enter the generated code to verify
- You’ll also receive backup codes. Store them securely.
Step 4: (Optional but Recommended) Add Billing Address
While GitHub doesn’t require a billing address, some third-party tools in the pack (like DigitalOcean or Namecheap) may need one.
- Go to Settings > Billing and plans > Payment information
- Add your name and address
- No credit card is required unless a specific service asks for one
Step 5: Visit GitHub Education Portal
- Go to https://education.github.com
- Click “Get benefits” under the Student section
- This will redirect you to the application page for the Student Developer Pack
Step 6: Start Your Application
- Click “Get Student Benefits”
- Sign in with your GitHub account
- Fill out the application form:
- Institution name (GitHub will auto-suggest as you type)
- Student email (preferably your school-issued email)
- How you’ll use GitHub (learning, building a portfolio, hackathons, etc.)
- Expected graduation date
Step 7: Verify Your Student Status
You can verify your student status in one of two ways:
Option 1: School Email Address
- If you have a school-issued email (like yourname@university.edu):
- Enter it in the form
- GitHub will send a verification email
Option 2: Upload Documentation
- If you don’t have a school email, upload one of the following:
- Student ID card with current term/year
- Official enrollment letter
- Class schedule or transcript
- Make sure your document includes:
- Your full name
- Institution name
- Enrollment period (must be current)
- Document must be in English or have a translated copy
Step 8: Submit Your Application
Double-check all the details and click Submit application.
You’ll receive a confirmation email saying your application is under review. GitHub usually takes 1 to 5 business days to process it.
Step 9: Approval & Access Perks
Once approved:
- Visit https://education.github.com/pack
- Browse the list of available tools and services
- Click “Get access” or “Activate offer” on any tool you want
- Follow each provider's instructions (some may ask for additional verification or setup)
Common Issues and Fixes
| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
| Didn’t receive email verification | Check spam folder or request a new one |
| Application rejected | Ensure documents are clear and up to date |
| No school email | Use the document upload method |
| 2FA not enabled | Go to Settings and set it up before applying |
| Offers not working | Some services require a separate sign-up on their site |
Final Thoughts
Joining GitHub Education as a student is one of the smartest things you can do early in your tech journey. Not only do you get free access to premium tools, but you also get real-world resources to build and launch your ideas — all at zero cost.
Whether you're learning to code, building your portfolio, or starting your first side project, the GitHub Student Developer Pack has what you need to succeed.