edX is a great platform for learning new skills and advancing your career. But if you're on a tight budget, you may be wondering how to afford to take edX courses.
The good news is that edX offers financial aid to eligible learners. This means that you may be able to get a discount on the course price, or even take the course for free.
In this blog post, we'll walk you through the steps on how to apply for financial aid on edX.
Step 1: Enroll in the course as an audit learner
The first step is to enroll in the course as an audit learner. This means that you'll be able to take the course for free, but you won't receive a certificate of completion.
To enroll as an audit learner, simply go to the course page and click on the "Audit This Course" button.
Step 2: Complete the financial aid application
To apply for financial aid on any edX course, just like Coursera's Financial Aid application you need to answer some questions. The sample answer to those questions is given below.
Tell us about your current financial situation. Why do you need assistance?
Respected Sir/Ma'am
I am in need of financial assistance in order to attend the edX course [write your course name here]. I'm born into a low-income household. My father is a day-wage laborer and merely earns $3 per day. Our annual income is less than our country's average household income. Moreover, I am studying [your degree name] on an educational loan and I have two younger sisters to take care of. Since my sisters are also studying in college, with the increase in college fees every year our family is financially stressed and I don't want to put more burden on my parents. Meanwhile, i work part-time 19 hours per week at a local restaurant to support my family and my regular expenses.
A scholarship like this would enable me to focus on my studies and work less. This scholarship would enable me to upskill myself and land a good job in the future utilizing what I have learned here. Thereby, in the long term, it would help me take my family out of poverty. Awarding this scholarship would motivate me to give it back to society with community service. Furthermore, receiving this scholarship will give me a good scope of opportunities to attend conferences and get exposure to newly developed technology. Additionally, awarding this scholarship would further motivate me to pursue academic excellence.
I shall be thankful to you for this act of kindness.
Tell us about your learning or professional goals. How will a Verified Certificate in this course help you achieve these goals?
I am interested in learning about [course name] because I believe it will help me advance my career in the field of [industry]. I am currently working as a [job title], but I would like to move into a more technical role. I believe that a Verified Certificate in this course will give me the skills and knowledge I need to be successful in a technical role.
Specifically, I am interested in learning about [specific topics] in this course. I believe that this knowledge will help me to:
- Understand the underlying principles of [industry]
- Apply these principles to solve real-world problems
- Develop new skills and knowledge that will make me a more valuable asset to my employer
- Advance my career and move into a more technical role
I am confident that a Verified Certificate in this course will help me to achieve my learning and professional goals. I am a hard worker and I am committed to learning new things. I am also a good collaborator and I am confident that I will be able to learn from and contribute to the discussions in the course.
I am grateful for the opportunity to apply for financial aid and I am confident that I will be able to achieve my learning goals.
Thank you for your consideration.
Tell us about your plans for this course. What steps will you take to help you complete the course work and receive a certificate?
My plans for this course are driven by a strong desire to acquire valuable knowledge and skills in [course topic]. I believe this course will be instrumental in helping me achieve my personal and professional goals, and I am fully committed to investing the time and effort necessary to excel in it.
To ensure I complete the course work and receive a certificate, I have outlined a detailed plan of action:
Time Management: I will allocate a specific number of hours each week to study and engage with the course material. By creating a well-structured study schedule, I can balance my other responsibilities effectively and stay on track.
Active Participation: I understand the importance of active learning, so I will actively participate in discussions, quizzes, and assignments. Engaging with fellow learners and instructors will enhance my understanding of the subject matter.
Seeking Clarifications: If I encounter any challenges or have doubts, I will not hesitate to seek clarifications from the course forum or directly from the instructors. Timely resolution of doubts will keep me progressing smoothly.
Utilizing Additional Resources: In addition to the course materials, I will explore supplementary resources like recommended readings, academic papers, and online tutorials. This will deepen my understanding and provide a broader perspective on the subject.
Setting Milestones: I will set short-term and long-term goals throughout the course. Meeting these milestones will provide a sense of accomplishment and motivate me to stay focused.
Peer Collaboration: Collaborating with other learners in study groups or project teams can foster a supportive learning environment. I will actively participate in such collaborations to gain new insights and share my knowledge with others.
Feedback Incorporation: I will carefully consider feedback from peers and instructors on assignments and assessments. This feedback loop will help me improve and perform better in subsequent tasks.
Adhering to Deadlines: Meeting assignment and assessment deadlines is crucial, so I will stay organized and plan my work accordingly. I understand the importance of being disciplined and punctual throughout the course.
Commitment to Completing the Course: I am dedicated to seeing this course through to completion. I recognize that this journey might present challenges, but I am determined to overcome them with resilience and persistence.
By following this comprehensive plan, I am confident in my ability to successfully complete the course work and earn a certificate. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply for financial aid, as it will enable me to focus wholeheartedly on my learning journey without financial constraints.
Thank you for considering my application.
Step 3: Wait for a decision
After you submit the financial aid application, edX will review your application and make a decision. The decision process usually takes 2-4 days.
If your application is approved, you'll receive an email with a coupon code that you can use to purchase the course at a discounted price.
How much financial aid can I get?
The amount of financial aid you receive will depend on your income and your educational background. However, most learners who are approved for financial aid receive a discount of 90% off the course price.
What if my application is denied?
If your application is denied, you'll receive an email explaining why. You can then appeal the decision.
How do I know if I'm eligible for financial aid?
To be eligible for financial aid, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be enrolled in the course as an audit learner.
- You must have a household income below a certain level.
- You must be a resident of a country that edX offers financial aid to.
Conclusion
Applying for financial aid on edX is a simple process. If you're on a tight budget, don't let that stop you from taking the courses you want. With financial aid, you may be able to take the course for free or at a discounted price.
So what are you waiting for? Start the application process today!
Related
No comments:
Post a Comment