I’m a student developer working on multiple coding projects, and I’ve heard wonderful things about GitHub Copilot’s AI features. However, I can’t afford the monthly fee right now. I believe there might be ways to access Copilot for free, especially for students or people contributing to open source. Has anyone here successfully accessed GitHub Copilot for free in VS Code? I’m particularly looking for student programs, effective free trials, or other methods that don’t require entering a credit card. I’ve already tried the basic free trial, but it ended too soon. Any suggestions or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated since I’m eager to enhance my coding abilities without overspending.
GitHub Education offers free Copilot access through their Student Developer Pack. You need to verify your student status with a valid .edu email or student ID documentation. I got mine approved within 48 hours last semester. The verification process is straightforward - just go to education.github.com and apply. Once approved, you get Copilot Pro for free as long as you maintain student status. I’ve been using it for about 8 months now and it’s been incredibly helpful for my coursework and personal projects. The key is having proper documentation ready when you apply, whether that’s your student email, enrollment certificate, or current class schedule.