To receive a discounted serial number, you must email proof of academic status (such as a student ID scan) to orders@fontlab.com.
Go to the FontLab Download page and select the installer for your OS. FontLab Free Download
Double-click the .dmg file and drag the FontLab icon into your Applications folder. To receive a discounted serial number, you must
Accredited academic users can purchase a 1-year student license for approximately $109 (regularly $335 for a lifetime edu license). Accredited academic users can purchase a 1-year student
Once installed, you can begin designing your first typeface: FontLab 8: Manual
Currently, FontLab 8 offers a 10-day fully-functional trial. Older versions like FontLab 7 and FontLab VI previously offered 30-day trials.
FontLab is a professional font editor and does not have a permanent "free" version for all users, but it offers a for evaluation. How to Download and Install the Free Trial