---
title: 'Getting free access to Copilot Pro as a student, teacher, or maintainer'
shortTitle: Get free access to Copilot Pro
intro: 'Learn how to use {% data variables.copilot.copilot_pro_short %} for free as a student, teacher, or open-source maintainer.'
versions:
  feature: copilot
topics:
  - Copilot
redirect_from:
  - /copilot/managing-copilot/managing-copilot-as-an-individual-subscriber/getting-free-access-to-copilot-as-a-student-teacher-or-maintainer
  - /copilot/managing-copilot/managing-copilot-as-an-individual-subscriber/managing-your-copilot-subscription/getting-free-access-to-copilot-as-a-student-teacher-or-maintainer
  - /copilot/managing-copilot/managing-copilot-as-an-individual-subscriber/managing-your-github-copilot-pro-subscription/getting-free-access-to-copilot-pro-as-a-student-teacher-or-maintainer
  - /copilot/managing-copilot/managing-copilot-as-an-individual-subscriber/getting-started-with-copilot-on-your-personal-account/getting-free-access-to-copilot-pro-as-a-student-teacher-or-maintainer
  - /copilot/how-tos/manage-your-account/getting-free-access-to-copilot-pro-as-a-student-teacher-or-maintainer
contentType: how-tos
---

## About free {% data variables.copilot.copilot_pro %} access

There are three ways to qualify for free access to {% data variables.copilot.copilot_pro_short %}:

* **As a verified student on {% data variables.product.prodname_education %}.** To learn about becoming a verified student, see [AUTOTITLE](/free-pro-team@latest/education/explore-the-benefits-of-teaching-and-learning-with-github-education/github-education-for-students/apply-to-github-education-as-a-student).
* **As a verified teacher on {% data variables.product.prodname_education %}.** To learn about becoming a verified teacher, see [AUTOTITLE](/free-pro-team@latest/education/explore-the-benefits-of-teaching-and-learning-with-github-education/github-education-for-teachers/apply-to-github-education-as-a-teacher).
* **As a maintainer of a popular open-source repository.** To determine if you are an eligible maintainer, see [Accessing {% data variables.copilot.copilot_pro_short %} for free](#accessing-copilot-pro-for-free).

{% data variables.product.company_short %} reevaluates your eligibility every month.

## What if I don't qualify for free access to {% data variables.copilot.copilot_pro_short %}?

If you do not meet the previous criteria, you can either:

* <a href="https://github.com/github-copilot/signup?ref_cta=Copilot+trial&ref_loc=about+github+copilot&ref_page=docs" target="_blank"><span>Try {% data variables.copilot.copilot_pro_short %} for free</span></a> with a one-time 30-day trial. After the free trial, you will need a paid plan for continued use.
* Set up {% data variables.copilot.copilot_free_short %} to get a limited experience of {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} without a paid plan. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/managing-copilot/managing-copilot-as-an-individual-subscriber/about-github-copilot-free).

## Accessing {% data variables.copilot.copilot_pro_short %} for free

{% data reusables.copilot.your-copilot %}
1. If you qualify for free access to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}, you will see a page titled "{% data variables.copilot.copilot_pro %}" informing you that you are eligible. Click **Get access to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}**.
1. On the page that appears, configure the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} use policies to meet your needs, then click **Save and complete**.