Unable to access Copilot Pro for free as a maintainer of a popular open-source repository

[Yan-Muzi]

🏷️ Discussion Type

Question

💬 Feature/Topic Area

Copilot Coding Agent

Body

Recently, the open-source repository XiangShan seems to have been marked as "popular" by Github. Some of my colleagues have been notified that they are eligible for Copilot Pro. However, as a maintainer myself, I don’t seem to be eligible. Is it because I’m currently using Copilot Pro as a student? Do I need to quit Github Education to get access to Copilot Pro through this program?

I have read the official documentation, but I don’t see the relevant options in my settings. I did find this discussion, which might be similar to my situation.

[ytaxx]

Yes, that is likely the issue.
The "Copilot Pro for OSS maintainers" program and the Student Pack are mutually exclusive. You cannot stack both benefits on the same account.
If you are currently on the Student plan, GitHub will not show you the OSS maintainer option because you already have active Copilot access through a different program.
To switch:
First, cancel or let your Student Pack Copilot benefit expire
Then apply for the OSS maintainer benefit at github.com/github-copilot/free-for-open-source-maintainers
Important: Do not leave the Student Pack entirely if you still need other benefits like GitHub Pro features. You only need to remove the Copilot portion, or wait for the current student term to end.
If you recently became eligible for the OSS program but do not see the option, it may also be a rollout delay. The maintainer detection is not instant and can take days or weeks after a repo hits the popularity threshold.

Check your Copilot settings page directly. If it still shows "Student" as the plan type, that confirms the conflict.

[Gauravjangra2003]

It’s likely related to how GitHub handles Copilot eligibility across different programs.

If you’re already using GitHub Copilot through GitHub Education (student pack), you may not be eligible to receive Copilot Pro again via the “popular open-source maintainer” program at the same time. GitHub typically allows only one active benefit per account.

A few things you can check:

Go to Settings → Copilot and verify which plan is currently active
Try logging out and back in, or refreshing your eligibility status
Check if your repository actually meets the “popular” criteria (stars, contributors, activity, etc.)
Ensure you are listed as a maintainer/admin of the repository

If your colleagues are eligible but you’re not, it could be due to:

Different account status (not using Education pack)
Different role/permissions in the repo
Gradual rollout by GitHub (not everyone gets it at the same time)

👉 You usually don’t need to quit GitHub Education, but benefits don’t stack—so GitHub may prioritize one over the other.

If the issue persists, it’s best to contact GitHub Support with:

Your repo link
Your role in the repo
Screenshot of your Copilot settings

[Yan-Muzi]

Thank you all for your replies! I am indeed currently using Copilot through the GitHub Student Pack. Here’s what my Copilot settings page looks like:

However, I didn’t find a way to remove only the Copilot part. Should I switch my GitHub base plan to Free?

It's about a month from now before the switch takes effect, so I’ll just wait and see what happens then.

[ytaxx]

Honestly, no problem at all! That's why we are here.

[isHarryh]

Same problem. I've deeply engaged in MaaEnd/MaaEnd and some other >1k star repositories where other contributors have already obtained OSS Pro.

I'll downgrade my edu plan and wait to see what will happen then.