Student Developer Pack Application only allows camera input, no file upload option on Desktop

[vinnie0110]

Hi everyone,

Hello everyone,

I am a university student from Brazil trying to apply for the Student Developer Pack. I'm facing an issue where I cannot upload my proof of enrollment because the application flow only offers the option to use my webcam.

Expected Behavior:
I expected to see an "Upload a file" or "Upload an image" button, especially since I am using a desktop computer.

Actual Behavior:
The application page directly activates my webcam and asks me to take a photo. There are no visible links or buttons to switch to a file upload method. This happens even on a desktop computer.

troubleshooting Steps I've Already Taken:

Tried on multiple desktop browsers (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge).

Tried using Incognito/Private mode.

Confirmed the issue happens on both mobile and desktop.

Blocked camera permissions in the browser settings. After blocking and reloading the page, the application still tries to access the camera instead of providing an upload alternative.

Tried selecting different types of proof from the dropdown menu, including "Other". The result is the same.

My proof of enrollment is a digital screenshot from my university's portal, so I need the file upload functionality to submit it.

Is this a new, intentional change in the application flow, or is it a potential bug? Is there a known workaround?

Thank you for your help!

[Lamikad0v2]

Hi, i have the same problem. Do you find a solution for this case ?

[Towa-1]

Try using a Desktop Computer. I used One in the IT lab in my college and the upload option finally appeared

[Lamikad0v2]

Try using a Desktop Computer. I used One in the IT lab in my college and the upload option finally appeared

Hello, thanks for the advice it worked! The button never appeared on my laptops, but when I tried on a desktop computer, it finally showed up.

[m6lvink]

Hi there!

I've seen a few cases like this and it seems to be related to how the verification window handles the upload interface. In some setups, the option to upload a file is hidden or not rendered correctly, especially when the modal defaults to camera input.

From what I’ve gathered, the issue usually comes down to a layout or permission bug rather than an intentional design change. Here are a few things that have helped others:

1. Try zooming out your browser window to around 80–90% and scroll inside the verification box itself. Sometimes the upload button is there but out of view.

2. Drag and drop your proof of enrollment file directly into the camera box or paste it with Ctrl/Cmd+V. In several cases, the system accepts files this way even when the button isn’t visible.

3. Turn off any ad blockers, privacy extensions, or strict tracking protection for the site. These can block the upload control from loading.

4. If the page keeps forcing the camera, go into your browser site settings, block camera access for that page, and refresh it completely. This should trigger the file upload fallback, though it doesn’t always work on the first try.

5. As a last step, try a clean browser profile or a different browser entirely. Some people have had success using Firefox or Safari when Chrome and Edge fail.

If none of this works, it’s likely a bug with the current education verification flow. You can reach out directly to GitHub Education Support with your proof file attached and ask them to process it manually or switch your verification path to file upload.

Hope this helps someone running into the same problem.

Refs:

• GitHub Docs – Apply for the Student Developer Pack: https://docs.github.com/en/education/explore-the-benefits-of-teaching-and-learning-with-github-education/apply-for-the-student-developer-pack
• GitHub Support – Education benefits: https://support.github.com/request/education

Hopefully this helped :)