How to apply for financial aid on Coursera and some alternatives for Nigerians

Doing better at any job or career requires s commitment to continuous learning. Many young professionals have realised the importance of updating their skills. Even when you are still in school or searching for a job, it is still important to acquire new skills that could prepare you for success in your future workplace.

This is where platforms like Coursera, Udemy and Skillshare come in. They provide courses that can boost your professional development and can be taken online for convenience. Coursera is big on career-focused online courses some of which are prepared by top universities from around the world

Sound education is good and expensive. Especially when you live in Nigeria and have to pay for it in dollars. Luckily there is financial aid available for users of Coursera.

This article would explore the Coursera financial aid and its benefits. I would go beyond talking about Coursera financial aid to discuss another way you can access Coursera’s courses for free in Nigeria, the NITDA Coursera Scholarship.

If this is something you would like to know more about then you should read this article.

About Coursera

Coursera is a large online course provider established in 2012 by Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller. Coursera has partnered with over 275 top universities to provide life-changing learning experiences to learners around the world.

What makes Coursera stand out is that the courses offered on the platform are relevant for the modern day workplace. The course may not be the cheapest but when compared to the cost of attending similar classes in person it is an unbeatable option.

Another area where Coursera shines is the kind of expertise possessed by course providers. Publishing a course on Coursera is quite different from doing the same on other platforms like Udemy where individuals can publish courses easily. Coursera partners with established higher institutions and companies like google to publish courses which ensures credibility.

How Much Does Coursera Cost?

Currently Coursera has different pricing plans for individuals, businesses, governments and universities.

 If you want to pay for Coursera as an individual,you would have to subscribe to Coursera Plus. It costs $59/month or $399/year. You can also opt to pay for a single course instead of a monthly subscription. 

The price for this can range from $49-$79 per month depending on the course. You only have to pay as long as you haven’t finished taking the course. For example, if you finish a three month course within a month you wouldn’t have to pay for it the next month.

How to Apply for Financial Aid on Coursera

If you find the price for courses on Coursera to be high, you should know that you still have some options. 

You can take the course for free but you won’t earn a certificate. This is fine if you were just after the knowledge but if what you want is the complete package- Knowledge and certification- you can apply for financial aid.

I would walk you through the process of applying for this beneficial aid. Note that you would be rejected if you have opted for a free trial of Coursera before applying for financial aid. Take the following steps to apply successfully;

  • Visit the course description page for the course you would want to take.
  • Look for the section about financial aid.
  • Click “learn more and apply”

image of the application prompt for Coursera Financial aid

  • Fill out the form and submit. Ensure your application meets the required minimum word count of 150 words.
image of the application form for Coursera financial aid

  • Your application would be reviewed within 16 days and you would receive a decision via email.

Tips for writing your Coursera financial aid application

The following tips can help you write a successful financial aid application;

  • Highlight the financial constraints you face that make you unable to pay for the course. You can do this by discussing your current employment status or background.
  • Discuss how the course is important in helping you achieve your career or personal goals
  • Describe your motivation through your application
  • Remember to be honest and authentic in your application

How financial aid on Coursera works

The kind of financial aid you receive depends on the information you give during your application but generally you would receive a discount on the course price. 

How long does Coursera Financial aid last?

The Coursera financial aid lasts for 180 days. 

Alternatives to Coursera financial aid for Nigerians

If you are unable to take courses on Coursera with the financial aid, there are some alternatives you can consider the following alternatives :

  • NITDA Coursera Scholarship
  • Nigerian Course platforms like AQskill.com and Selar.co
  • Learn from free courses on Alison.com, Udemy and Class Central.

NITDA Coursera scholarship vs Coursera Financial aid

image of coursera and NITDA logo

Another way you can benefit from the Coursera platform is by accessing the courses through the NITDA Coursera scholarship.

The National Information Technology Development Agency created a scholarship programme to sponsor the training of people interested in starting a career in tech. 

Successful applicants can pursue professional qualifications on Coursera in specific areas at no cost thanks to this scholarship. This is different from financial aid where you only get a discount

How the NITDA Coursera Scholarship works

To participate in the Coursera Scholarship, you have to choose a professional  certification programme and another certification in a complementary skill area. Complementary skills include skills like entrepreneurship, freelancing etc

If your application is successful, you would be allowed to pursue your certification and achieve them within 6 months.

How to apply for NITDA Coursera scholarship

NITDA usually invites applications for new cohorts. You can follow them on twitter to get notified about new applications here

Conclusion

Professional development is one of the pillars of building successful careers. Coursera is one online course platform that can help you build your skills with anything from certificate programmes to degrees.

If you face financial constraints in using Coursera you can apply for financial aid or take advantage of the NITDA Coursera scholarship when it is available.

I believe you now know how you can take advantage of Coursera to acquire new skills. If you have any thoughts, let me know in the comment section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let us go over some frequently asked questions you might have about the Coursera platform.

Is Coursera available in Nigeria?

Yes, Coursera is available in Nigeria. You can access the website at Coursera.org. Courses can be paid for using a bank card in Nigeria.

Coursera vs Udemy, which is better

Generally in terms of cost, Udemy has cheaper courses created by instructors who have expertise in specific areas. 

Coursera hosts courses and even online degree programmes from universities and top companies like Google, IBM and Meta. So, in terms of the quality of the courses, Coursera is better suited for professionals seeking additional qualifications or skills.

Can I apply for financial aid for many courses on Coursera?

Yes, you can apply for financial aid for many courses on Coursera but it is better to focus on one course at a time.

Can I reapply for financial aid on Coursera?

Yes, you can reapply for financial aid if the previous aid you received has expired after 180 days.

What is the value of Coursera certificates?

Coursera certificates prove that you have completed rigorous coursework in a particular area. Some Courses offer certificates and degrees from universities and top organisations in addition to the course completion certificate.

Can you use a Coursera certificate to get a job in Nigeria?

Yes, but not in all cases. For some skills that are not taught in Nigerian universities, having a Coursera certificate in addition to your university qualifications can be a strong combination that employers can see as valuable.

However, most employers would be more interested in seeing a portfolio of previous work or a past project you have completed.

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