How to upload document directly to application #172849

Nuckerr · 2025-09-08T22:06:47Z

Nuckerr
Sep 8, 2025

Hi everyone,

I am trying to reverify my github education status after I changed school. I have added my new email address from the school (and verified it). Following the form, I share my location (I am not at my new school yet since the term has not started yet).

It then asks for a photo proving that I am a student at the school, but I only have the option to verify by taking a picture. I do not have a physical document for this, but I have a PDF on my phone which I have tried showing but comes out blury and unreadable. I have the same problem proving why I am not at the school campus yet. I have a document showing when my term starts, but I can only take a picture on my camera.

So how do I either upload a photo, or the PDF directly, or is there another way to verify that doesnt involve photos.

VictorMoni · 2025-09-08T22:38:40Z

VictorMoni
Sep 8, 2025

Hi @Nuckerr

For me, when I was making the application for the GitHub Student Pack, after few failed attempts, GitHub gave me the option to upload my documents directly instead of only using camera capture.

If you still don’t see this option, the best step is to contact GitHub Education support so they can review your case: GitHub Education Contact

3 replies

Nuckerr Sep 9, 2025
Author

Thanks. The only other problem is making contact with their support is near impossible. You have to categorise your request to a limited number of topics, and half of those topics then say that you can't use them to make a support ticket.

VictorMoni Sep 13, 2025

You're welcome @Nuckerr, sorry I couldn't get the best response for you. Try to use the 'other' category for your ticket while you contact the GitHub Education Support, and I know is kind frustrating to wait the response of them, but if you be patient, you will get the reponse soon

Good luck my friend 🍀🙂

Nuckerr Sep 13, 2025
Author

Okay, thanks for your help 😀

elmobark · 2025-09-08T22:39:24Z

elmobark
Sep 8, 2025

Hi @Nuckerr

Right now the GitHub Education verification system only supports photo uploads taken directly in the form — there isn’t a way to upload a PDF or attach files directly. A few workarounds you can try:

Convert your PDF to an image:

On your phone or computer, take a screenshot of the PDF (make sure text is clear and readable).

Use that screenshot when the form asks you to take/upload a photo.

Print and photograph:

If you have access to a printer, print the PDF and then take a clear photo of it.

Contact GitHub Education Support:

If your PDF contains information that can’t be captured well in a photo, you can open a ticket with GitHub Education support
and explain your case. They can manually review your documents.

Unfortunately, there’s no direct PDF upload option at the moment — the system is designed around photo verification. The screenshot method usually works best.

1 reply

Nuckerr Sep 9, 2025
Author

I will contact gitbub about this, but I didn't have any option to upload an image.

davevad93 · 2025-09-09T12:07:34Z

davevad93
Sep 9, 2025

Hi @Nuckerr,

The upload option is not always available, in which case you'll need to take a photo with your device's camera:

In addition, if your term hasn't started yet, you should submit your application when you return to campus, otherwise it will be rejected again due to location mismatch, as stated in the 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.

Your first and last name, complete school name, and a date demonstrating current academic affiliation must appear in your document.
Make sure the image is clear and easy to read; if it looks blurry, please take a new photo. 👈

Try using a tool such as OBS Studio's virtual camera system to display your academic proof in OBS. I'm not sure if it will work, but it's the only way I can think of to submit the documentation in digital format to apply for the Student Developer Pack.

If you wish to contact support, you can do so by opening a ticket here, select "Other" and explain your problem.

1 reply

Nuckerr Sep 10, 2025
Author

Okay I tried with OBS and got this response:

Please use your device camera to submit your academic affiliation documents. If you’re having trouble using your device camera, please allow camera access for the application website on your browser. The steps for this will vary depending on which browser you are using. Information on browsers supported by GitHub can be found [here](https://docs.github.com/en/get-started/using-github/supported-browsers). You may also try applying from a different computer or mobile device.

As well as claiming that the name on the document did not match my billing details (they do), or that they do not contain the term dates (it does). I think this might be because the picture taken was still reduced to an unreadable quality.

So it feels like GitHub have just made this process impossible.

comprodigy · 2025-09-09T12:51:00Z

comprodigy
Sep 9, 2025

The verification process has gotten extremely ridiculous, which is understandable as I imagine the cost of the free AI is extremely high due to people abusing the system.

That said though, it shouldn't be impossible which it feels like. I keep getting emails replying saying my name doesn't match my profile/billing information (which it does). With no option to manually upload the documents, and no manual review anymore, I feel like a lot of us are going lose the benefit which is unfortunate.

1 reply

Nuckerr Sep 9, 2025
Author

Yeah it has gotten ridiculously difficult. I'd rather loose the AI benefits than having to go through this mess of an application

HPD666 · 2025-09-10T16:38:03Z

HPD666
Sep 10, 2025

Hi,
GitHub Education’s verification system mainly expects a photo of a student ID or official document, which can make PDFs or digital documents tricky to submit. Since your PDF comes out blurry when photographed, the best approach is to contact GitHub Education Support directly. Explain your situation, that your new term hasn’t started yet, and that your proof is in PDF form. They can usually provide guidance or manually verify your account.
You can reach them here: https://education.github.com/contact
In the meantime, if possible, try:
Zooming in or printing the PDF before taking a photo to improve clarity.
Including a note in your submission explaining that your term hasn’t started yet.
This usually helps the support team verify your status more quickly.

0 replies

IMBoBx · 2025-12-10T19:04:54Z

IMBoBx
Dec 10, 2025

Hello! Did you find a solution to this yet? I'm in a similar situation. Away from college for a month because vacations. On top of that, I forgot my student ID in my dorm room and the best I have is a photo of it. Any idea how I could upload that directly?

1 reply

TheGiraffe3 Dec 13, 2025

Hi, I also had the same problem and found this: https://github.com/orgs/community/discussions/174812#discussioncomment-14765170
Text of that comment for reference:

In the school field, instead of choosing the official entry from the dropdown, type a different name (I typed in “Maestro AI University” instead  of choosing "Maestro University" from the dropdown).

The modal will now show an option to upload a file (instead of only showing the “Start Camera” button).
Upload your file and submit.

I am not sure it works yet, but I thought it might be helpful 🙂

How to upload document directly to application #172849

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Nuckerr Sep 9, 2025 Author

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