How to Use GitHub Copilot for Free (Student Discount Guide)

If you're a student learning how to code, you've probably come across GitHub Copilot—an AI tool that helps you write code faster, smarter, and with fewer errors. It acts like an intelligent pair programmer that can suggest entire lines or blocks of code as you type. But like many premium tools, GitHub Copilot normally comes with a monthly subscription fee.

If you're diving into development tools as a student, it’s not just GitHub Copilot you should check out. Apidog is another must-have for your toolkit — especially if you're working on APIs.

Luckily, if you’re a student, you can use GitHub Copilot completely free through the GitHub Student Developer Pack. In this article, we’ll explain what GitHub Copilot is, how to apply for the student pack, and how to make the most of Copilot once you have access.

What is GitHub Copilot?

GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered code assistant developed by GitHub in collaboration with OpenAI. It uses machine learning models trained on vast amounts of public code to suggest relevant code snippets, entire functions, and even documentation as you type.

It works seamlessly in editors like:

• Visual Studio Code (VS Code)
• Visual Studio
• Neovim
• JetBrains IDEs (like IntelliJ, PyCharm, WebStorm)

Whether you’re building a Python project, developing a React app, or experimenting with C++, Copilot can save you time by reducing repetitive tasks and helping you understand new coding patterns.

How to Use GitHub Copilot for Free as a Student

Step 1: Create a GitHub Account

If you don’t have one already, go to https://github.com and sign up for a free account. Be sure to use your school-issued email address if you have one—it helps GitHub verify your student status faster.

Step 2: Apply for the GitHub Student Developer Pack

Visit the Student Pack page at:🔗 https://education.github.com/pack

Click the “Get student benefits” button and follow the prompts:

• Submit proof of enrollment (school ID, class schedule, or transcript).
• If possible, verify using your student email (ending in .edu or your school’s domain).
• Wait for approval. This may take a few hours to a few days.
• Once approved, you’ll gain access to dozens of free developer tools, including GitHub Copilot.

Step 3: Enable GitHub Copilot

Now that you're verified as a student:

• Go to https://copilot.github.com/
• Click “Start for free” and select the Student Developer Pack option.
• Follow the instructions to enable Copilot for your GitHub account.
• Install the GitHub Copilot extension in your preferred code editor (e.g., VS Code).
• Sign in and start coding with AI support!

What Do You Get with the Student Pack?

With the GitHub Student Developer Pack, you’ll get free access to GitHub Copilot pro, renewable for as long as you remain eligible. This is a full-featured version of Copilot—nothing is locked or limited.

In addition to Copilot Pro, the Student Pack includes perks from over 100 companies, like:

• Replit (Hacker plan)
• Namecheap (domain credits)
• MongoDB Atlas (free database cluster)
• Canva Pro, Educative, DigitalOcean credits, and many others

Why Students Should Use Copilot

Using GitHub Copilot as a student can help you:

• Learn faster: See examples of real-world code as you type.
• Write better code: Reduce syntax errors and follow best practices.
• Build confidence: Tackle coding challenges with an AI assistant by your side.
• Save time: Let Copilot handle repetitive code so you can focus on logic and structure.

It’s especially useful for learning new programming languages, practicing algorithms, or working on school projects and personal portfolios.

Tips to Use Copilot Effectively

Start with comments: Describe what you want in plain English. For example:"// Create a JavaScript function that returns the factorial of a number"Copilot will instantly generate the correct function.

Understand the code: Don’t blindly copy suggestions. Use Copilot to learn, not just to finish work.

Edit and refine: Sometimes Copilot needs a little help—feel free to tweak its suggestions.

Pair it with documentation: Copilot is smart, but combining it with official docs will make you smarter.

Final Thoughts

GitHub Copilot is more than just a code completion tool—it’s a learning companion. As a student, getting free access to such a powerful resource can make a huge difference in your learning journey.

So if you're serious about becoming a developer, don’t wait—apply for the GitHub Student Developer Pack, activate Copilot, and start writing cleaner, faster code today—all for free.