Financial constraints shouldn’t limit your desire to learn new skills and advance your career. Coursera recognizes this challenge and offers a financial assistance program to make quality education accessible to learners worldwide.
Coursera’s financial aid program is particularly valuable for those seeking to enhance their skills without significant economic burden.
Thanks to the financial aid, I took a UI/UX course from the platform two years ago, and I loved it!
Recently, there have been a few changes to the platform, and users must pay at least 10% of the course fees. This post will guide you through the entire process of how to apply for Coursera financial aid.
What Is Coursera Financial Aid?
Coursera’s financial aid program provides learners access to paid courses and certificates at reduced or no cost. This initiative reflects Coursera’s commitment to democratizing education by removing financial barriers.
When approved, learners receive full access to course content assignments and, upon completion, an official certificate that holds the same value as one obtained through regular payment.
Who Is Eligible For Coursera Financial Aid?
The Coursera financial aid program is designed to help learners who genuinely cannot afford course fees. While Coursera doesn’t publish specific income thresholds, they consider several factors:
- Your current financial situation
- Employment status
- Geographic location
- Educational background
- Demonstrated need for financial assistance
There are no strict geographical restrictions, and you don’t need to be a currently enrolled student to apply. The program evaluates each application based on individual circumstances and genuine needs.
Students must abide by Coursera’s honor code and Code of Conduct too to be eligible for the financial aid program.
Coursera Financial Aid Limitations
Coursera’s financial aid has its limitations, which you would like to know before you apply for it. Take a look below:
- You can apply to a maximum of 11 pending applications at once
- Separate applications are needed for each course in a Specialization
- Financial aid is valid for 180 days after approval. If you do not complete the course within that timeframe, you will have to reapply for it.
Applications review cannot be sped up. You will have to wait for at least 15 days before you hear from them.
How To Apply For A Coursera Financial Aid? (Step-by-Step Guide)
Before applying for financial aid on Coursera, make sure you have read all the guidelines and eligibility requirements needed to apply for Coursera financial aid.
Step 1: Finding Your Course And Financial Aid Option
- Visit Coursera.org and log in to your account
- Search for your desired course.
- Navigate to the course page and look for the “Financial Aid Available” link (usually located below the “Enroll” button). Click on it.
- Click “Continue to Application”
Step 2: Personal Information & Essays
This step is divided into two parts for your better understanding:
Step 1 of 2:
- Fill in your educational background
- Enter your annual income (if applicable)
- Provide current employment status
- Select your country of residence
- 150-word essay on “The reason you applied for aid.”
You can refer to the image below:
In the top right corner, you can also see how many open applications you currently have. Coursera only allows up to 10 open applications.
Tips for writing the “Reasons for applying for financial aid” section:
- Write a minimum of 150 words explaining:
- Your current financial situation
- Why you cannot afford the course
- Any specific financial hardships
- Your motivation for taking the course
- Be honest, specific, and detailed in your explanation
- Save a copy for your future reference
Step 2 of 2:
- Select a value using the slider on “How much can you pay for the selected course.”
- Write a 150-word essay on “How to select a course will help you.”
- Check off the terms and conditions boxes
- Type “I agree to the terms above” in that given box.
- Select the “I am not a Robot” box.
- Click on Review.
Refer to the image below:
Tips for writing the “how the course will help you” section:
- Write a minimum of 150 words describing:
- Your career objectives
- How the course aligns with your goals
- Specific skills you hope to gain
- How do you plan to use the knowledge
- Make clear connections between
- Save a copy for your future reference
Step 3: Reviewing Your Application
After you click the blue “Review” button in the last step, take a final look at the details you submitted in your application before you send it off to Coursera.
This is your last chance to make changes to your application. Once you are sure about the details submitted, click on the “Submit Application” button to turn in your financial aid application to Coursera.
Step 4: Waiting For Approval
It will take about 16 days for your financial aid application to get reviewed. In the meanwhile, you can take some of the free courses on the platform and keep an eye on your registered email address for the approval status email from Coursera.
If approved, you can start taking the course by logging in to your Coursera account, where you first applied for financial aid, going to the course, and enrolling in it.
What After The Financial Aid Submission?
Once you have submitted the application, you can do the following steps:
- Check your email for the confirmation message
- Monitor your Updates page for application status
- Wait up to 15 days for review and decision
During the waiting period, consider:
- Exploring Coursera’s free courses
Reviewing course prerequisites and learning the basics online for free
- Preparing your study schedule
When your Coursera Financial Aid gets approved, do this:
- Follow the enrollment instructions provided
- Begin your course within the specified timeframe
Note: Complete the course in 180 days from the date of enrollment after your application is approved. Otherwise, you will have to reapply to the same course all over again.
Important Tips
- Don’t start a Coursera Plus free trial while your application is pending.
- Submit applications one at a time to stay within the 11-application limit.
- Begin the course promptly after approval to maximize your 180-day access period.
Following these steps carefully will help ensure a smooth application process and increase your chances of approval.
It is also very important to be thorough and honest throughout the application, as this demonstrates your genuine need and commitment to learning.
I attribute my own course approval requests to two things–transparency and honesty. That’s all. Find the example essays below that you can use as a reference.
How To Increase Your Chances Of Getting A Financial Aid On Coursera?
Getting financial aid is sometimes not easy, especially if you don’t know the tips that work for you. I have covered the same tips below that helped me get financial aid 6 times.
To strengthen your application and increase your chances of getting financial aid on Coursera, keep the following things in mind:
- Be specific and detailed in your essays
- Focus on personal circumstances rather than general statements
- Demonstrate clear career goals aligned with the course
- Show genuine commitment to learning (this is very important)
- Proofread thoroughly for clarity and professionalism
- Be honest while writing your essays.
Example essays that you can refer to while crafting your own:
Sample Essay For “Reason for Financial Aid Application”:
I am “XYZ,” and I am currently seeking to build a career in data science, but I face financial constraints that make it difficult to pay for this course. As a recent graduate, I am currently unemployed and actively working to develop my skills to secure a job in the data science field.
My family’s financial situation is challenging, with my elder brother being the sole provider for our household. While I understand the value of this course and its potential impact on my career, the course fee is beyond what we can afford at this time.
I have been learning data science through free resources, but I believe this structured course and its certificate would significantly improve my job prospects.
Getting financial aid would allow me to access quality education and earn a recognized certificate that would help me demonstrate my skills to potential employers. This opportunity would be a crucial stepping stone in my journey toward becoming a data science professional.
Sample Essay for “How the Course Will Help with My Goals”:
This data science course will help me build the essential skills I need to start my career in this field. The course covers key concepts and practical applications that employers look for, and completing it will give me hands-on experience with real-world data problems.
I plan to use the knowledge from this course to work on data analysis projects and build a strong portfolio that will help me in job interviews. The course’s practical assignments will let me practice with actual data science tools and techniques, which is exactly what I need to become job-ready.
Getting feedback from peers and instructors will help me improve my skills and understand industry standards better. The certificate from this course will also make my resume stronger when applying for data science positions. My goal is to become a data scientist, and this course will give me the foundation I need to achieve this dream.
Note: There is no guarantee that these exact examples would work for you, too, as things also depend on the geographical locations, your income, and several other factors.
How Long Does It Take For a Financial Aid To Get Approved?
Coursera’s financial aid review process takes up to 16 days, with status updates sent via email and visible on your Updates page.
While awaiting approval, you can explore Coursera’s library of over 2,800 free courses to begin learning immediately.
US and UK residents can access special sponsored programs through state partnerships and the Click Start program.
Once approved, you’ll have 180 days to complete your course and earn your certificate, so use the waiting time to plan your study schedule effectively.
Note: Avoid starting any free trials during this period, as they automatically cancel your aid application.
How To Save On Coursera If Not Eligible For Coursera Financial Aid
If you cannot get financial aid, you can still save a good amount of money using the following techniques on Coursera:
1. Take Advantage Of $309 Annual Discount
The Coursera Plus annual plan at $399 offers significant savings compared to the monthly subscription’s annual billing of $708, resulting in a $309 reduction in cost.
But is Coursera Plus worth it? Well, it makes the annual subscription a smart choice for those planning to take multiple courses throughout the year.
If you have the money and determination to complete some courses, this option can be the best way forward for you.
2. Watch for Seasonal Sales and Promotions
Coursera regularly offers special promotions, including significant discounts during Coursera’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales periods.
Last year’s Black Friday sale featured an impressive 98% discount on the first month of subscription.
3. Consider University Partnerships Value
Coursera’s partnerships with prestigious institutions like Yale and the University of Michigan offer an exceptional value proposition.
The platform provides coursework and instruction similar to these universities’ in-person programs at a fraction of the traditional tuition costs.
4. Maximize Your Learning Investment with the free trial
The 7-day Coursera free trial allows you to explore the platform’s content before committing financially.
Taking multiple courses simultaneously and focusing on Professional Certificates can help maximize the value of your subscription while building valuable career credentials.
Conclusion: Coursera Covers 90% Of The Costs Via Financial Aid
Coursera’s financial aid program represents a significant opportunity for learners worldwide to access quality education regardless of economic circumstances. The application process ensures that resources reach those who need them most.
Remember that the effort invested in crafting a thoughtful application reflects your commitment to learning. Prepare thorough, honest responses that communicate your needs and aspirations.
For those considering applying, start by identifying courses aligned with your goals, carefully review the application requirements, and prepare detailed responses that showcase your genuine need and commitment to learning.
Your educational journey shouldn’t be limited by financial constraints, and Coursera’s financial aid program exists to help make that possible.
FAQs
You can reapply for financial aid if your initial application is rejected. Before reapplying, review and strengthen your essays, providing more detailed information about your financial situation and career goals.
The 15-day review period allows Coursera to evaluate each application. During this time, they assess the genuine need, review the provided information, and ensure fair distribution of financial aid resources.
Coursera evaluates financial need based on several factors: Your stated annual income, geographic location and local economic conditions, employment status, educational background, quality of your application essays, etc.
Full degree programs and some professional certificates might have different financial assistance programs. While you can apply for financial aid for individual courses within a Specialization, you’ll need to submit separate applications for each course.
You don’t need to be a currently enrolled student to apply for Coursera financial aid. The program is open to anyone who demonstrates genuine financial need, regardless of their student status.
If you don’t complete the course within 180 days of approval, your financial aid and course access will expire. You’ll need to submit a new financial aid application to continue the course.
You can apply for multiple courses, but there’s a limit of 11 pending applications at any time. Wait for responses on current applications before submitting new ones to manage your applications effectively and stay within this limit.
Starting a free trial while your financial aid application is pending will automatically cancel your application. If you’ve already started a free trial, you’ll need to wait until it expires before applying for financial aid or cancel the trial and then submit your application.
