Free Online Classes for Veterans

<p>Learners have multiple options after military service, including free and low-cost online programs. These programs provide professional development and mentoring opportunities. Military personnel have eligibility for professional certifications and other transition programs that will prepare them for civilian life. </p> <h3 id="section---1.SalesForceMilitaryOnlineCourses">1. SalesForce Military Online Courses</h3> <p>SalesForce is a leading provider of cloud-based software. Their Trailhead Military allows veterans to learn SalesForce skills they can use with skills they picked up during their service. Veterans, active duty service members, and military family members must register with a TroopID to take free classes. </p> <h3 id="section---2.AlisonOnlineCoursesForVeterans">2. Alison Online Courses for Veterans</h3> <p>Alison is one of the top providers of online courses, but they have specialized programs to help veterans. Veterans can enroll in courses like project management, cybersecurity, information technology (IT), and Six Sigma to develop skills that make them more attractive to civilian hiring managers. Alison has career guides to help service members find the right classes for their civilian career path. </p> <h3 id="section---3.CourseraSupportingVeteranSuccessInHigherEducation">3. Coursera Supporting Veteran Success in Higher Education</h3> <p>This self-paced program helps explain the different educational needs of students with military experience. This course is primarily for educators, but veterans can still benefit from some of the material and how it relates to veteran inclusion on campus. </p> <h3 id="section---4.CourseraFindYourCallingCareerTransitionPrinciplesForVeterans">4. Coursera Find Your Calling: Career Transition Principles for Veterans</h3> <p>Transitioning to civilian life after military service can be difficult, even for veterans with transferable skills. This course teaches different skills broken down into nine modules. Learners will cover topics like critical thinking, career choice, and self-reflection to help identify a civilian career and how to earn the skills needed to achieve it. </p> <h3 id="section---5.CourseraUniversityStudiesForStudentVeterans">5. Coursera University Studies for Student Veterans</h3> <p>Some service members attend college courses during their service, but this is not true of all veterans. Service members often come from a background where they must learn new skills. However, the basic training environment is vastly different than a college classroom. Coursera's University Studies program allows veterans to learn skills associated with coursework, in-class environments, and studying habits. </p> <h3 id="section---6.CourseraBecomeAPeerSponsorIntroToMilitaryTransitionSupport">6. Coursera Become a Peer Sponsor: Intro to Military Transition Support</h3> <p>The Veteran Support Initiative is a program run by the VA. VSI pairs mentors with veterans to help them transition out of military service. You don't have to have military experience to become a mentor, but some veterans might want to take this program to become mentors to other veterans looking to follow the same path as them. </p> <h3 id="section---7.CourseraMakingYourMilitaryTransitionATransformation">7. Coursera Making Your Military Transition a Transformation</h3> <p>Transitioning out of the structured and rigid military life is often difficult for veterans and their families. This class provides insight into common issues that happen during this transition. Learners will perform self-reflection to establish their career and educational goals. Once they establish their goals, they'll work with mentors to find ways to achieve them. </p> <h3 id="section---8.UdemyVADisabilityPrepActiveMilitaryVeteranMASTERCLASS">8. Udemy VA Disability Prep: Active Military &amp; Veteran MASTERCLASS</h3> <p>Transitioning to civilian life isn't just about finding a new career. Some veterans will need to utilize VA disability benefits. This course teaches different aspects of: </p> <ul><li>filing a VA disability claim </li><li>how to collect benefits </li><li>how to appeal a rejected claim </li></ul><p>Even if you don't have to file a claim, learning these skills can benefit you in the long run, especially if you enter a mentorship role for other veterans. </p> <h3 id="section---9.UdemySIntroToTheArmyProfessionalReadingProgramme">9. Udemy's Intro to the Army Professional Reading Programme</h3> <p>This program is based on the New Zealand Army's professional reading program. Professional reading is a skill that is crucial for military service, but this skill can translate well to civilian careers like business and engineering. The course involves a series of videos that learners can view in under 45 minutes. </p> <h3 id="section---10.UdemySIntroductionToU.S.ArmyHistory">10. Udemy's Introduction to U.S. Army History</h3> <p>This free course teaches a brief history of the U.S. Army. Veterans have probably learned some of this information in their service, but this additional information can provide some context for their service. Additionally, this course is ideal for military families looking to understand their loved one's service. </p> <h2 id="section---DoesTheVAPayForOnlineClasses">Does the VA Pay for Online Classes?</h2> <p>Veterans can use their GI Bill benefits to pay for online learning, but programs must be from accredited sources and usually must be related to a civilian career path. Online courses, especially certificate programs, are often an easier transition path for veterans who received specialized training during their service. </p> <h2 id="section---IsCourseraFreeForThoseInTheMilitary">Is Coursera Free for Those in the Military?</h2> <p>Coursera doesn't expressly offer free courses to military members, but they have multiple partners that will enable veterans to take free classes. These programs help veterans make the most of their VA benefits to cover online courses. These nonprofit partners enable free learning for veterans and their families. </p> <h4 id="section---ACTNowEducation">ACT Now Education</h4> <p>Act Now Education is a nonprofit that allows qualifying service members free access to Coursera courses for a year. Veterans must meet one of the following criteria to be eligible for this benefit: </p> <ul><li>have completed over 20 years of service </li><li>separated from the military within the last year </li><li>2 years or less from retirement </li><li>Spouse of a veteran or active duty military member </li><li>Reservist or member of the National Guard </li></ul><p>If a veteran qualifies, they will receive a year of access to Coursera's total platform, including professional certification programs from companies like Google, Amazon, and IBM. These certifications are sharable on LinkedIn or added to resumes to qualify for civilian career paths. </p> <h4 id="section---HireHeroesUSA">Hire Heroes USA</h4> <p>Hire Heroes USA is an employment consultant firm. They provide services such as career mentoring and mock interviews to help prepare veterans for civilian work. Hire Heroes has multiple partnerships to provide training and other career services for veterans and their families. </p> <h4 id="section---VeteransTransitionSupport">Veterans Transition Support</h4> <p>Veterans Transition Support provides access to no-cost programs related to job skills like OSHA, Lean management, and more. These programs complement the skills learned in military service with additional learning. Additionally, veterans will have access to Veteran Connect, a networking opportunity to connect with other veterans transitioning to civilian life. </p> <h2 id="section---IsUdemyFreeForMilitarySpouses">Is Udemy Free for Military Spouses?</h2> <p>Udemy offers free courses for military spouses through the Defense Department Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO). This program allows spouses unlimited access to courses to advance their careers. Military spouses can complete their application through your MySECO account.</p>