Student application(s) keeps getting rejected within seconds

[nikitos-ctrl]

Hi everyone,

Hello everyone,

I’ve submitted several student applications, but they keep getting rejected within seconds.
A couple of issues on my side:

• When uploading the school certificate, the interface only lets me use the camera—no option to upload a file or photo. My certificate is digital, so I’m forced to take a picture of my screen.
• I’m traveling and not on campus yet, so I also attached screenshots of my academic calendar to explain that courses haven’t started. That didn’t help either.

What’s odd is that I do have the official email and documents to prove enrollment. From what I’ve read here and on Reddit, others are facing the same problem. I’m new to GitHub, so maybe this is normal—but it might also be a bug. Friends who applied before didn’t run into these issues.
If there’s a known workaround (e.g., acceptable file types, how to submit a digital certificate properly, or whom to contact for a manual review), any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks for your considerence!

[davevad93]

Hi @nikitos-ctrl,

If you aren't part of a distance learning program and aren't currently on campus (or in the same area), your application will be automatically rejected due to a location mismatch.

Student Developer Pack Application FAQs:

In order to qualify for the GitHub education program, we must be able to verify that you are either located close to your campus, or that you are a part of a verifiable distance learning program.

You must also fill in your billing information and your GitHub profile with your full name exactly as it appears on your academic transcript. I recommend that you try again once you return to school.

[nikitos-ctrl]

Hello @davevad93, appreciate your answer. Okay, will resubmit it in few days once I am back. Thanks a bunch!

[davevad93]

You're welcome @nikitos-ctrl 👍

[asimhusain-ai]

1. Fix the Upload Issue
   Do not use the GitHub mobile app or mobile browser.
   Instead, open education.github.com
   in a desktop browser (Chrome or Firefox).
   On desktop, you’ll see the option to upload a file (PDF, PNG, JPG) instead of being forced to use the camera.

2. Prepare Your Documents Properly
   Preferred format: Save your certificate as a PDF.
   Avoid: Uploading photos of your screen (often rejected by the system).
   Better option: Print → scan → upload, if a PDF export isn’t possible.
   Ensure the certificate or enrollment proof clearly shows:
   ✅ Your full name
   ✅ School/university name
   ✅ Valid/current dates (semester or enrollment period)

3. Add Supporting Evidence (If Needed)
   If your semester hasn’t started yet:
   Combine your academic calendar + enrollment certificate into one PDF.
   Upload this as a single document to reduce confusion.

4. Contact GitHub Support for Manual Review
   If your application is still rejected instantly:
   Go to GitHub Education Support
   Submit a ticket with:
   Your official school email address.
   Certificate (as PDF).
   Academic calendar (if needed).
   Clearly explain that the web form only allowed camera upload on your side, which forced low-quality submissions.

5. Wait for Manual Verification
   Automated checks often fail for non-standard documents.
   Once reviewed by the GitHub Education Team, valid applications usually get approved.

[nikitos-ctrl]

Thanks for your answer. I am following the steps you advised me to take, and still the only option I got is taking a picture (especially doing it with the webcam feels so unpractical, that's why I thought it is a bug). Bellow you can see the screenshot:

Also, on point 4, there is no way I can contact GitHub support on that. They are no longer providing manual support or any kind of the assistance related to education applications. My kind of last resort is posting a thread in the community.

[potato7YT]

Same problem here and I also can't upload the document to the website only start camera option

[AED-IUE]

To be fair, I only tried this with Chrome. It's possible the issue isn't present in Firefox or some other browser, but I didn't have an option for actually uploading documents and tried submitting the application with webcam photos.

[LNBGitHub]

Hi,

I have updated the billing information and two-factor authentication. I am unable to submit a new application, the supporting attachment fails without any reason with an exclamation mark.

[LNBGitHub]

I tried again and get the following error:

[asimhusain-ai]

Can Anyone tell me as I am verified student so how I can get Github Foundation Cerificate for free