In today’s challenging job market, having specialized skills is a hot commodity. If you want to switch careers, get a promotion or break into a competitive industry, certificate programs are a good idea. But paying for certification programs isn’t always easy, and you might have trouble tracking down certificate program student loans.
Whatever your approach, we’ve got you covered. Here are six ways you can pay for continuing education programs without wiping out your savings or running up credit card debt.
- Before borrowing certificate program student loans, check for employer funds
- Apply for federal financial aid
- Search for private certificate program student loans
- Ask about payment plan options
- Consider a personal loan
- Apply far and wide to scholarships
1. Before borrowing student loans for certificate programs, check for employer funds
One of the best places to get financial assistance for certificate programs is through your current employer. Many companies offer tuition or education reimbursement for continuing education. That’s especially true if the program you’re looking at can help you improve or expand your skills for your current role.
For example, if you’re a programmer and want to learn Ruby On Rails to create web applications, that’s a big benefit to your boss. Even if your employer doesn’t have a formal tuition reimbursement program in place, it could be willing to cover your costs if you can make a good case.
Consider preparing a proposal for your manager that outlines what you intend to learn. Be sure to include what the cost is and how it will benefit your work and the company’s bottom line.
2. Apply for federal financial aid
The government offers student loans and grants for some continuing education programs. Federal student loans tend to have lower interest rates and repayment terms than private student loans. This makes them an excellent choice for paying for certificate programs.
To get federal assistance, the first step is to complete the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Even if you graduated from college years ago, the FAFSA is essential for gaining access to financial aid for certificate programs.
Once you fill out the FAFSA, look for programs that are eligible for federal financial aid. One excellent resource is the National Center For Education Statistics’ College Navigator. You can search for certification programs in your field and find out which certificate program student loans or grants you’re eligible for.
3. Search for private certificate program student loans
Although private student loans don’t tend to be as flexible as federal ones, they can be a useful option for paying for certificate programs. The best private student loan lenders offer flexible repayment plans and competitive rates.
Plus, some offer extra perks, such as interest rate reductions or deferment in the case of financial hardship. Before choosing a lender, make sure to shop around and compare your options.
Not only will comparison shopping help you find your best offer, but it will ensure you’ve found a lender who’s willing to provide a student loan for your certificate program.
4. Ask about payment plan options
Another option to consider is a payment plan directly through your program’s school. Many boot camps and certificate programs offer flexible payment options.
For example, Bloc is one of the most well-respected computer and design coding boot camps out there. It offers payment plans that fit your individual needs. You have to contact them and share your budget with a student advisor, and they’ll come up with a plan that works for you.
While you’ll still need to come up with the money yourself, payment plans can help you manage your budget. Rather than coming up with the money all at once, you can pay your tuition in installments so you don’t have to wipe out your savings account.
5. Consider a personal loan
If certificate program student loans aren’t an option and your employer won’t cover the cost of certificate programs, a personal loan could help. Personal loans tend to have lower interest rates than credit cards and set repayment terms, so you could save money in interest charges.
That said, some personal loans still come with high interest rates, which make them expensive and difficult to pay back. Before taking out a personal loan, make sure you can afford to pay back the principal amount, interest and any associated fees.
6. Apply far and wide to scholarships
Since scholarships do not have to be repaid, they’re a valuable way to pay for school without racking up debt. Some schools, such as Bloc and the FlatIron School, offer scholarships to help offset the tuition cost. But there are also thousands of other scholarships you could be eligible for that can help you pay for your education.
FastWeb and Scholarships.com are two useful resources that can connect adult learners with scholarship opportunities nationwide. You can find and apply for as many scholarships as you wish, as there is no limit to how many you can receive.
Paying for certificate and continuing education programs
Certificate programs can be a great way to advance your career with an affordable credential. Paying for continuing education programs and finding certificate program student loans can be complicated, but there are options that can reduce the financial burden.
For more information, check out the best certificate programs to change your career.
Rebecca Safier contributed to this article.
Interested in refinancing student loans?
Here are the top 9 lenders of 2022!Lender | Variable APR | Eligible Degrees | |
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![]() | 1.74% – 8.70%1 | Undergrad & Graduate | |
![]() | 1.74% – 7.99%2 | Undergrad & Graduate | |
![]() | 1.74% – 7.99%3 | Undergrad & Graduate | |
![]() | 1.89% – 5.90%4 | Undergrad & Graduate | |
![]() | 1.74% – 7.99%5 | Undergrad & Graduate | |
![]() | 2.05% – 5.25%6 | Undergrad & Graduate | |
![]() | 1.86% – 6.01% | Undergrad & Graduate | |
![]() | N/A7 | Undergrad & Graduate | |
![]() | 1.99% – 8.38%8 | Undergrad & Graduate | |
Check out the testimonials and our in-depth reviews! 1 Important Disclosures for Splash Financial. Splash Financial DisclosuresTerms and Conditions apply. Splash reserves the right to modify or discontinue products and benefits at any time without notice. Rates and terms are also subject to change at any time without notice. Offers are subject to credit approval. To qualify, a borrower must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in an eligible state and meet applicable underwriting requirements. Not all borrowers receive the lowest rate. Lowest rates are reserved for the highest qualified borrowers. If approved, your actual rate will be within a range of rates and will depend on a variety of factors, including term of loan, a responsible financial history, income and other factors. Refinancing or consolidating private and federal student loans may not be the right decision for everyone. 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Laurel Road DisclosuresAll credit products are subject to credit approval. Laurel Road began originating student loans in 2013 and has since helped thousands of professionals with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees consolidate and refinance more than $4 billion in federal and private school loans. Laurel Road also offers a suite of online graduate school loan products and personal loans that help simplify lending through customized technology and personalized service. In April 2019, Laurel Road was acquired by KeyBank, one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies. Laurel Road is a brand of KeyBank National Association offering online lending products in all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. All loans are provided by KeyBank National Association, a nationally chartered bank. Member FDIC. For more information, visit www.laurelroad.com. 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