Free Online Classes for Low-Income Families

In-person learning at American universities has increased by about 180% since 1980. The constantly rising costs of higher education are often a deterrent to learners from low-income families. Fortunately, enrollment opportunities with tuition-free online programs allow low-income learners to pursue certifications affordably.

Although these programs aren't the equivalent of a bachelor's degree, many certification programs can be used to apply for entry-level career paths and some can even transfer as credit to accredited universities. Low-cost, and sometimes free online classes and courses, are a perfect way for low-income learners to receive the learning experiences needed to start a career or a degree program.

10 Free and Low-Cost Online Courses for Low-Income Families

Top universities and online education providers offer free or low-cost courses to teach new skills. Learners can complete these courses at their own pace around busy schedules impacted by work, family, or other responsibilities.

These online learning programs are sometimes completely free, but there are occasional costs. Many programs offer free classes but require payment to take a final quiz or access a certificate. Low-income learners can qualify for financial aid programs offered by non-profit organizations and online learning platforms.

1. Udemy JavaScript Essentials

This course covers the basics of the JavaScript programming language. Enrollment is free, but there is an additional fee to pursue a certification. Learners can access over six hours of on-demand video to complete this self-paced learning program.

The focus of this program is JavaScript, but many of the syntax principles can be applied to other languages (e.g., SQL, Python, and C++). The course ends with a final project for students to demonstrate the skills learned through the video lessons. JavaScript knowledge can be used to pursue further computer science or information technology education.

2. Udemy Digital Marketing Fundamentals

The rise of technology has digitized many fields, including marketing. Digital marketing involves various aspects, including social media marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and content marketing.

Learners in this course study the fundamentals of digital marketing through hands-on interactive assignments. Digital marketing is a combination of creative output and data science. Upon completion, learners will have the skills to pursue other digital marketing certifications or online college courses in business administration.

3. Udemy Introduction to Project Management

Project management skills are in demand across industry lines. High-quality project management involves a combination of technical, hard skills, and soft skills, like communication and leadership.

Learners in this course will review videos and assignments covering both skill sets. This course focuses on teaching relevant skills for beginners looking to become project managers, and there are no official prerequisites.

4. Udemy Graphic Design Basics

Graphic design is a field commonly associated with marketing and business, but the applications of this humanities course can be utilized in other fields too. This course teaches students the basics of design programs and general principles of design and art.

Learners will cover layouts, color theory, and how to design elements for different platforms, like social media. Students will need access to Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, but there is no pre-requisite experience or education requirement.

5. Coursera Google Ads for Beginners

Google is the largest search engine platform in the world and averages over eight billion searches daily. This traffic has also made it a go-to destination for digital advertisers.

Google Ads is the platform's system of advertising, which includes paid placement on search engine result pages and banner advertising. This two-hour course is a guided project that takes learners through every step of the Google Ad process from creating an account to developing and testing a campaign.

6. Coursera Cybersecurity for Everyone

The world is going digital, and so is crime. Cybersecurity is no longer optional for businesses as their data collections are prime targets for hackers and other cybercriminals. This 21-hour-long course teaches beginners the fundamentals of cybersecurity by reviewing the history of cyber threats, and how hacking happens.

7. Coursera Introduction to Statistics

This Introduction to Statistics course is offered in partnership with Stanford University. Students will cover all aspects of statistics including data sampling, probability, distribution, and modeling.

Learners will combine assignments and quizzes throughout this 14-hour course. This program prepares students for continued learning in statistics, data science, and machine learning.

8. Coursera Introduction to Mathematical Thinking

This course goes beyond what you learned in high school or college math courses to teach critical thinking that can be applied to real-world math problems. This online course is divided into a 10-week course with individual modules to be completed weekly, but the program is self-paced. Learners will use problem sets and video lectures to learn and practice these new skills.

9. HarvardX Systematic Approaches to Policy Design

Harvard X is the massive online open-course (MOOC) network of Harvard University and edX. Students participate in learning programs designed by Harvard staff.

This program teaches learners the different styles of policy design and how they are used in decision-making processes. Students will evaluate the pros and cons of each policy design style.

10. HarvardX Introduction to Artificial Intelligence With Python

Python is a programming language commonly used in machine learning programs that enable artificial intelligence. Learners will review the basics of Python, but this course is more about the applications of the language in AI programming. The HarvardX programs can be taken for free as professional development or for certification, for a small fee.

Are Free Online Courses Really Free?

There are many online courses that are truly free on various learning platforms. Costs are primarily associated with certification programs, with the actual coursework being freely available and the certificate being behind a paywall. If you are taking these courses for personal development, you can complete them freely. Some courses that require payment qualify for financial aid programs through the university or learning platform that hosts them.

How Can I Cover the Cost of a Paid Course?

Students should start by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is most commonly used for college, but accredited certification programs can still qualify for some financial aid. Additionally, platforms like Coursera have financial aid programs for their courses. Students can apply directly through their Coursera account.

Where Can Low-Income Families Find Free Online Classes for Skill Development?

Low-income families can find free online courses from various sources, including Coursera and Udemy, but these aren't the only options. Other online platforms for learning include Khan Academy, Microsoft Training, Alison, and more. These platforms offer courses with paid certificates, but they also have many free classes that can teach skill development.