Coursera for Military Family program offers a wide range of classes and certifications from top universities and companies for free or at a discounted cost to military personnel and their families.

This option is particularly useful for those transitioning from the military who may need industry certifications to validate their skills.

In this article, I will help you understand how you can claim these free benefits on Coursera and your eligibility for them.

Coursera For Military Family- Coursera Collaboration

Coursera for military families is the best example of Coursera for governments and non-profits in action

The few organizations that have collaborated with Coursera to help Military folks and their families are- 

  • United Service Organizations (USO)
  • Hire Heroes USA
  • ACT Now Education
  • Veterans Transition Support (VTS)

Coursera For Military Family- Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for military personnel and their spouses differ based on the organizations providing this offer. Let us find out what they are for each one of them-

1. United Service Organizations (USO)

The eligibility criteria for USO that will get you the Coursera courses are as follows-

  • Be an active duty military personnel
  • Or be a National Gaurd
  • Be a military spouse

2. ACT Now Education

You need to meet 1 of the following criteria to enroll with ACT- 

  • 20+ years of service
  • 1 year out or less from separating from the military
  • 2-years out or less of retiring
  • A Veteran who is not currently serving
  • Spouse of an active duty military personnel
  • Spouse of a veteran
  • ACT Now volunteer Team Member
  • Reservist
  • National Guard

3. Hire Heroes USA

To access Coursera via the Hire Heroes USA program, you must be registered on the platform and be someone actively seeking employment.

  1. Veterans Transition Support (VTS)

The VTS Coursera Program is available to all –

  • Veterans
  • Active duty
  • Reservists
  • Military Spouses

Where And How To Sign Up For Coursera For Military Family?

If you are eligible to sign up for any of these programs, you need to register with the above-mentioned organizations and apply for courses on Coursera through them. 

Here is a table of all the above organizations and the application link for them to access your free Coursera resources designed for Military Families.

Organization Link
United Service Organizations (USO)Link
ACT Now EducationLink
Hire Heroes USALink
Veterans Transition Support (VTS)Link

The application process and time taken for verification could vary and could be long, so be patient.

However, if you are not eligible or do not wish to wait long, you can take courses on Coursera for less using the Coursera Cyber Monday Offer.

Aim of the Coursera For Military Family

The Coursera Program for Military Families aims to help military personnel and their spouses. The help is provided by supporting them in 5 ways, such as 

  1. Get education
  1. Develop new skills
  1. Increase chances of employment
  1. Achieve their carer goals
  1. Help military folks adjust well

If you are a military family and cannot find resources for your children, you can take advantage of the various Student offers on Coursera.

8 Coursera Courses For Military Family

Here are a few of the certificate courses that are helpful for Military Families. You can access these below mentiond courses from the table through your Military Coursera Program. 

Please note that the course availability may vary depending on the organization you have signed up with. 

Sr. No. Free Coursera Courses For Military FamiliesBest forOffered ByCourse Link
1.Making Your Military Transition a TransformationTransitioning military members and their spousesUSOHere
2.Flores Master of Business AdministrationGI Bills Accepted. Accounting, Management, Finance, Business LawLouisiana State UniversityHere
3.Service Transformed: Lessons in U.S. Veteran-Centered CarePhysical, mental, and emotional needs related to military serviceUniversity Of MichiganHere
4. University Studies for Student VeteransVeteran inclusivity in college campusesColumbia UniversityHere
5.Violence Against HealthcareTools needed to make informed decisions, guide behavior in high-risk areasUniversity of GenevaHere
6. Career 911: Your Future Job in Medicine and HealthcareHealth career, resume and cover letter writing, job search, interviewing, professional networking, and professional communicationsNorthwestern UniversityHere
7. Intellectual Humility: ScienceIssues related to humility in your daily lifeThe University of EdinburghHere
8.De-Mystifying MindfulnessMeditation, mindfulness, experiential learning through  philosophical, psychological and political lensesUniversiteit LeidenHere

Coursera For Military Family – Coursera Financial Aid

Suppose you cannot qualify for any of the aforementioned organizations. In that case, you can still get a Coursera course for free or at a discounted cost by applying for Coursera Financial Aid. 

Coursera does not offer a separate financial aid service for Military Families. However, Coursera provides financial aid to all its learners who can not afford Coursera courses.

Coursera Financial Aid
Source: Coursera

You can search for your desired Coursera course and check whether financial aid is available for it in the space circled in the image above. 

Click on the “Financial Aid Available” option and follow the steps on your screen to get an entire or partially paid-off Coursera course.

Coursera Discounts

Other options for you to save on Coursera if you are not able to qualify for any of the military organization programs are the following-

Before you check the discounts Coursera offers, you should understand Coursera pricing here. This will help you know exactly how much you will be saving.

1. Annual Coursera Plan Saves The Maximum

The annual Coursera subscription plan costs $399 for 12 months, while the monthly plan costs $708 for the same period. Therefore, the annual subscription plan is a better deal, saving you $309.

Annual Coursera Plan
Source: Coursera

2. Coursera Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deal

During the Thanksgiving festivities, Coursera offers $100 off through its Black Friday Deal in November. This Black Friday Deal is followed by a Cyber Monday sale, during which new users can subscribe for the first month for just $1.

Coursera Black Friday & Cyber Monday
Source: Coursera

3. Coursera For $1

Coursera offers many discounts and deals throughout the year for its new subscribers of Coursera Plus. One such deal is their referral Program, where the Coursera cost is slashed to $1 for you and your loved ones.

Coursera for $1
Source: Coursera

Basically, through your referral link, you and your loved one both get to access Coursera for a month for $1.

Coursera For Military Family- Sucess Story

Here are the success stories of how the Coursera Online Learning Program has helped Military personnel and their families get more education.

Mack’s Journey: Marine Corps To Georgetown

A retired Marine, Mack, who served for 30 years in the Marine Corps, was able to take the BLS program offered by Georgetown University on Coursera and fulfill his lifetime dream of finishing his bachelor’s degree thanks to Coursera.

Marine Corps to Georgetown
Source: Coursera

Read more about Mack’s journey of Marine Corps to Gorgetown here.

Roda Burcham On Finding A Career That Fits The Military Life

Through the collaboration of the USO Pathfinder® Transition Program and Coursera, Roda Burcham, a military spouse, was able to find a job and become an online tutor with her certificate earned online.

Roda Burcham On Finding A Career
Source: United Service Organizations (USO)

This career easily fits into Roda’s life as a military spouse who moves constantly. Find the whole story here. 

Conclusion- Get 40% Off Through Coursera For Military

Coursera for Military Families is a program offered by Coursera that provides free courses and resources to military service members, veterans, and their families

The program offers many online courses on topics such as transition to civil life, career development, mental health, financial literacy, and more.

This is an excellent opportunity to access Coursera for free. So, if you want to pursue further education on your terms and at your convenience, sign Up for Coursera through the organizations mentioned above today.

FAQs

Is Coursera free for military spouses?

Coursera offers fully free and sometimes waives off partial fees for online learning for military personnel and their spouses, helping them get an education from anywhere they move during their service to the nation.

Can my family use my Coursera account?

One Coursera account is for only one member. If your family members use your account and try to obtain a certificate, they won’t be able to do so. Your account and certificates will be registered in your name.

Can I use the GI Bill for Coursera?

Coursera learners can use their GI benefits to pay for their education on Coursera for select courses.

Does Coursera count as education?

Coursera does offer degrees that can be completed online. However, these degrees do not give you the title that often comes with the degree earned in traditional schools. Online education, in general, is considered only course completion.

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