How do I sign up as a homeschooler?

[CodeGuyEli]

🏷️ Discussion Type

Question

💬 Feature/Topic Area

Verification Help & Guidance

Hi everyone,

I'm a homeschooler who would like to apply for the GitHub education perks. However, I cannot provide an ID for my school or any documentation. How can I sign up?

[muhammedtuerkmen]

Hi there,

While GitHub strictly requires proof of current student status, you do not necessarily need a traditional school-issued ID card if you are homeschooled. GitHub accepts alternative documentation specifically for homeschooled students.

1. Accepted Alternative Documents for Homeschoolers

You can submit a clear photo of any of the following documents, provided it displays your full name and a current date:

• Notice of Intent / State Registration: An official approval letter or Notice of Intent to Homeschool filed with your local school district, council, or government education department.
• Homeschool Association / Co-op Letter: A membership card or confirmation letter from a recognized homeschool association or co-op.
• Umbrella School Transcript: A current transcript or progress report issued by an umbrella school or online homeschool program.

2. Crucial Verification Rules

• Live Camera Capture Required: You must take a live photo of a printed, physical document using your webcam or phone during the application process (digital PDF uploads or screenshots will be rejected automatically).
• Billing Information Match: Ensure your full legal name under Settings > Billing & plans matches the name on your homeschool documentation.
• Age Limit: You must be at least 13 years old to qualify for the GitHub Student Developer Pack.

3. What to do if you have no documentation at all

Unfortunately, GitHub's automated system cannot grant the Education Pack without a physical document confirming your student status. If you have non-standard proof that the automated system rejects, you can submit a manual review request to GitHub Education Support.

Hope this helps clear things up! If this answers your question, feel free to mark it as the accepted answer.

[zxcvmh]

I think that you cant.
GitHub will not approve any Student Developer Pack application without verifiable documentation.
If you don't have a standard school ID, you must provide alternative official proof gng:

1. State/District Registration: An official homeschool registration or approval letter from your local school board or state department of education.
2. Homeschool Association Letter: Proof of membership or a dated transcript from a recognized homeschool association or co-op.
3. Curriculum Receipt: A dated invoice or receipt for homeschool curriculum purchased in your name for the current academic year.
4. Administrator Affidavit: A signed, dated letter from your homeschooling parent/administrator explicitly stating your full name and current academic enrollment status.
   Submit one of those via the standard application page. If you submit with zero documentation, it will be rejected automatically.

[Kushan20070126]

If you're homeschooled, you should still check whether your homeschool program provides some form of official student documentation.

GitHub Education verification requires proof that you're currently a student. If you don't have a school ID, other documents showing your current enrollment or student status might be accepted.

If you're independently homeschooled and don't have any official documentation showing student status, the verification process might not have a suitable document for you to submit.

I would recommend contacting GitHub Education Support and explaining your situation before submitting unrelated documents. They can tell you what proof they accept for your specific homeschool arrangement.

Don't upload someone else's school ID or create/edit documents to pass verification.

[CodeGuyEli]

Thanks! I will apply soon providing a slightly redacted copy of my Notice of Intent to homeschool. Thanks!

[CodeGuyEli]

Is there somewhere I can email my Notice of Intent to? The automated system does not seem to like it.

[d4vucat]

Yes. If the automated verification doesn't accept your Notice of Intent, you can contact GitHub Education Support and explain that you're a homeschooled student and that the NOI is the official documentation you have available. GitHub's documentation specifically says homeschool students can apply, and Support can help when the automated verification gets stuck.

[CodeGuyEli]

What email can I send it to? The email I found blocked my email.

[d4vucat]

GitHub doesn't appear to provide a separate public email address for submitting homeschool verification documents. If the automated verification is rejecting your Notice of Intent, I'd use the GitHub Education support/request form instead and explain that you're homeschooled and that the NOI is your official enrollment documentation.

I wouldn't send the document to an unofficial GitHub email address, especially if it contains personal information. You can also mention that the automated verifier rejects the document and ask for manual verification.

[CodeGuyEli]

The form says they don't take manual verification requests anymore.