Question about copilot cancellation and billing when academic status is approved

[aaronbienbenoliraoscc-lab]

🏷️ Discussion Type

Question

💬 Feature/Topic Area

Billing & Payment Issues

Hi everyone,

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some clarification on GitHub Copilot billing and subscriptions.

I started my 1-month free trial on February 27, which was supposed to end around March 29. I only noticed on March 30 that the trial had moved into a paid subscription showing access until April 26, so I cancelled immediately. I haven’t been charged yet, but I’m unsure if I will be.

I was also just approved for academic student status today (March 30). This is one reason I cancelled the current subscription as I plan to switch to the student plan.

My questions:

1. Does the subscription start first and get billed at the end, or is it charged right when the trial ends?
2. Since I cancelled immediately after the paid cycle started, is it possible for the current subscription/payment to be waived or removed?

Has anyone experienced something similar? I’d appreciate any advice or guidance.

Thanks!

[Aryan-Gore]

Billing usually starts automatically right after the free trial ends, not at the end of the billing cycle. So once your trial expired (~March 29), the paid subscription likely began immediately.
Even if you cancel right after renewal, the current billing cycle is typically still chargeable, because cancellation only prevents the next cycle.
However, many users report that if you cancel quickly (same day) and contact GitHub Support, they sometimes refund or waive the charge as a courtesy, especially in cases like yours.

What you should do:

Immediately open a support ticket with GitHub.
Explain:
Trial ended without you noticing
You cancelled the same day
You just got student approval and plan to switch

[aaronbienbenoliraoscc-lab]

Thanks for the reply, submitted a ticket earlier and explained as such- hopefully they respond soon.

[Aryan-Gore]

Glad you already submitted a ticket. That’s the best step in this situation.

Since you cancelled the same day and now have student approval, there’s a good chance GitHub Support may waive or refund it as a one-time courtesy.

Hope it gets resolved quickly.