Unlock Paid Courses on Coursera with Certification: 100% Working Step-by-Step Guide

Are you looking to upgrade your skills or gain valuable certifications without breaking the bank? Coursera offers a wide range of courses and specializations, and the good news is that you can access many of them for free with financial aid. In this simple guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to apply for financial aid on Coursera and start your learning journey without spending a dime.

Why Coursera Courses?

Before we dive into the step-by-step guide, let’s briefly explore why Coursera courses are worth your time and effort:

Coursera is a renowned online learning platform that partners with top universities and organizations worldwide. This means you can access high-quality courses and certifications from prestigious institutions without the need for traditional classroom attendance.

Here’s why Coursera courses stand out:

1. Diverse Course Catalog: Coursera offers a vast catalog of courses and specializations covering a wide range of subjects, from technology and business to arts and humanities.
2. Flexible Learning: You can learn at your own pace, making it perfect for busy professionals or individuals with varying schedules.
3. Certifications: Coursera provides certifications upon course completion, which can boost your resume and career prospects.
4. Global Network: Join a global community of learners and connect with peers and experts from around the world.

Now, let’s get started on your journey to accessing these valuable courses for free with financial aid.

Step 1: Visit Coursera

First things first, head over to Coursera’s website to get started. Coursera is a renowned platform for online learning, offering courses from top universities and organizations.

Step 2: Sign Up

Click on the “Sign Up” button and provide your full name, email, and a secure password to create your Coursera account. This will be your gateway to a world of knowledge and certifications.

Step 3: Log Into Your Account

Log into your newly created Coursera account. You’re now one step closer to accessing free courses with certifications.

Step 4: Welcome to Coursera!

You’ve made it! Welcome to Coursera’s home page. Now, let’s find the course or specialization you’re interested in.

Step 5: Find Your Course

Coursera offers thousands of courses and specializations. Use the search bar or browse the categories to find the one that interests you.

Step 6: Select Your Course

In this example, we’ll choose the “Microsoft Cyber Analyst Professional Certificate.” Click on the course or specialization you want to enroll in.

Step 7: Go to Individual Courses

Once you’re on the course page, look for the “Financial aid available” line and click on it.

Step 8: Start Your Application

Click on “Continue to the application” to begin the financial aid application process.

Step 9: Provide Your Details

In this step, you’ll need to enter your education status (e.g., “Some College”), set your annual income to “$0 USD,” and select your employment status as “Student.” You’ll also need to provide a detailed answer to the question “Reason you applied for aid” in more than 150 words. A Sample Response:

I’m a student from Bangladesh and want to learn <Course Name>. I think it will be beneficial for getting my job. But I’ve no job of my own to carry the expenses to pay for the certificate of this course. In this circumstance, it is very much difficult for me to gather such an amount of money for the certificate. Financial Aid will help me take this course without any adverse impact on my monthly essential needs. So I’m badly in need of this financial aid. I want to take this course as I want to learn from background knowledge for <Specialization Name> .I want to complete the Specialization. This course will boost my job prospects after graduation from my institute. It will help me perform better in carrying out Programming and give me an edge over my competitors. A verified certificate will attach credibility to the certificate I receive from this course. I plan to complete all assignments on or before time as I have done in previous Signature Track Courses. Also I intend to participate in Discussion Forums, which I have found to supplement my learning immensely in the other online courses I have taken on Coursera. I also plan to grade assignments which are to peer reviewed which I believe will an invaluable learning opportunity.

Step 10: Complete the Form

Mark the checkbox and click the “Next” button to proceed. Next, answer the question about “How the selected course will help you achieve your goals”, again in more than 150 words. Customize your response to match your course and skill set. A Sample Response:

It’s really impossible for me to pay for this course. I want to take this course as I want to complete the <Course Name> Course on Coursera. I need financial aid because I am from Bangladesh and my income cannot pay for this course. Now I do not have a job to pay for it. My father income cannot neither pay for it. I’m a fresh graduate from faculty of science, I didn’t start my career yet and I need the financial aid because I can’t afford the courses without having a job . I need to take this course to work and have money to increase my skill and help my father. I plan to complete all assignments on or before time as I have done in previous Signature Track Courses. Also I intend to participate in Discussion Forums, which I have found to supplement my learning immensely in the other online courses I have take non Coursera. I also plan to grade assignments which are to peer reviewed which I believe will an invaluable learning opportunity.I hope these reasons are enough I really thank you. So I need your help by giving me financial aid.The course will help me study <Skill you will earn>that help me work a freelance to earn money. I’ll always participate in the discussion forms and help others with my knowledge. I will meet deadlines and will not hesitate to ask if there’s something I don’t understand The certificate would be a valuable thin for me because it’ll help me get better job opportunities and start my career as fast as possible. It’ll show that I’m a hard worker and self learner also that I’m very active. I want to add to my CV in the future. Then i want to complete the <Specialization Name> on Coursera. I think it will be beneficial for my thesis work. A verified certificate will attach credibility to the certificate I receive from this course.I will share my information to help other to learn and work to earn money. I hope that you give me the chance. And finally I really thank you.

Step 11: Accept Terms

Mark the checkbox indicating that you agree to the terms, complete the captcha, and click on the “Review” button.

Step 12: Review and Submit

Review your application for any errors or missing information. If everything looks good, click on the “Submit Application” button.

Step 13: Wait for Approval

Your financial aid application is now submitted. It typically takes about two weeks for Coursera to process and approve financial aid applications. Be patient! You can now start auditing your selected course (without a certificate) by clicking on “Audit Course” button.

Step 14: Email Confirmation to Application

Once your application is received by Coursera, you’ll receive an email notification.

And that’s it! You’ve successfully applied for financial aid on Coursera and can now embark on your learning journey without the financial burden. Once accepted (will get email notification) you can access it with certification, all for free.Happy learning!

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