Unable to verify my student status in a university for Github Education

[danzal2006gg-dev]

🏷️ Discussion Type

Question

💬 Feature/Topic Area

Verification Help & Guidance

Hi everyone,

For some reason after setting up my billing information in my Github profile I am unable to change it, specifically I can't change my name to use russian letters, since my actual name and the one used in my university's transcript letter is in russian. The automated Github Education submissions review seems to not understand russian at all, since when having the university's name right there in the submitted letter, I am being told that my 'school' name isn't on the photo. I am also unable to get a hold of a transcript in english from my university. Am i supposed to change my profile's name to english and create a university letter that's in english myself in this situation?

[rohanjoshi7]

Hi there,

First and most importantly: Do not create an English university letter yourself. GitHub's verification system is very strict about document authenticity. Submitting a self-made or modified document is considered forgery and will almost certainly result in a permanent ban from GitHub Education.

Dealing with non-Latin characters in the automated system is a known headache. Here are the safest steps you can take to get verified:

• Transliterate Your Name: Since the system won't accept Russian characters in the billing section, use the standard English transliteration of your name (exactly as it would appear on a passport or international document).

• Submit the Original Document: GitHub actually requires you to upload the original document. Do not submit an unofficial translation. Make sure the photo of your Russian transcript is exceptionally clear, high-resolution, and well-lit so the automated system has the best possible chance of reading the text.

• Layer Your Evidence: If the transcript alone keeps failing, try taking a photo that includes your transcript alongside another piece of evidence, like your physical student ID card.

• Request Manual Review: If the automated loop keeps rejecting the Cyrillic text, you will need human intervention. Go to the main GitHub Support portal (outside of the automated Education flow) and open a direct ticket. Explain that your official documents are strictly in Russian, the university does not provide English copies, and the automated system is failing to read the Cyrillic text.

Hang in there; it usually takes a manual support review to get past this specific language barrier!

[Madhumathi-2009]

Hi @danzal2006gg-dev

I understand the issue - this happens a lot with non-English documents.
Please do NOT create a fake English letter yourself. That will get your application rejected for forgery.

Do this instead:

1. For GitHub Education verification:

• Upload your original transcript in Russian - that's okay.In the same image/PDF, add a small English translation below by yourself :
• e.g., University: [English Name] = [Russian Name], Student: [English Name] = [Russian Name].
• Keep original Russian visible.If you have a Student ID card with both Russian and English, upload that too.Use your university email (.edu / university domain) if you have one - it verifies automatically without needing transcript.

2. For Name Mismatch (Billing Name):

• GitHub billing name doesn't have to be Russian. Keep it in English for now. In your GitHub Profile, set your display name to English (transliterated)
• e.g., if your name is Даниил, write Daniil. This helps the automated system match.In the "Additional information" box during application,
• My legal name is in Russian Cyrillic: [Your Russian Name], transliterated as [English Name].
• My university document shows it in Russian. University name in Russian is [XXX], in English it is [XXX].

3. If still rejected:

Go to: support.github.com > Choose GitHub Education > Verification Help .
Don't worry, you don't need to get an English transcript from your university. Many Russian students get approved with Russian documents + short English explanation.

Good luck!

[danzal2006gg-dev]

Thanks a lot! This actually helped me.