7 Best Free Information Technology Courses Online

Are you interested in learning about information technology but don't have a lot of time or money to put into your education?

If so, you may be wondering if there are any free online information technology courses that will fit your schedule and budget.

Keep reading to find out.

Are There Free Online Information Technology Courses?

There are many free sources that offer online information technology courses. However, not all of these programs are created equally.

Many of the free sources are non-academic, meaning they are not offered by colleges or universities. These courses are available through sites such as Alison and Udemy.

Other free courses are offered through non-U.S. schools, and many courses are available in foreign languages.

If you are looking for free courses, you generally get what you pay for. Free courses often provide low-quality information and don't dive deeply into the subject at hand.

Fortunately, there are some colleges that offer low-cost courses and degree programs that provide a thorough education for low tuition rates.

We'll discuss some of these courses and programs later in this article.

How To Make Information Technology Courses Online Free

We've established that the college-based, low-tuition courses and degree programs provide greater value than the free, non-academic courses on the internet.

But what if you are still concerned about tuition costs?

Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce or even eliminate the tuition costs so you can take classes for free or almost free. Let's discuss these options.

1. Grants and Scholarships

Grants and scholarships are some of the most common ways that students pay for college. They can help you whether you plan to enroll full-time or just take a short-term course.

Grants are typically awarded on the basis of need, whereas scholarships are typically merit-based. Grants and scholarships may come from state or federal sources, businesses, private organizations, and schools.

To apply for grants, start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You may have to look a little harder for scholarships but start by doing a search for scholarships in your state.

Finally, contact your school's financial office to learn about other grant and scholarship opportunities.

2. Tuition Assistance and Waivers

Many employers offer tuition assistance programs as a benefit. If you are employed full-time or receive benefits through your employer, find out if tuition assistance is available to you.

Students employed full-time at a college or university are often eligible for a tuition waiver from their school. That means they can enroll in courses or programs through their school tuition-free.

Tuition waivers are also sometimes available for students with a low personal or family income. Check with your financial aid office to see if you qualify for a tuition waiver.

3. GI Bill

The GI Bill was instituted in 1944 to help veterans and their families pay for college. If you are a veteran or the child of a veteran, you may be eligible for tuition assistance through the GI Bill.

You may also be eligible for scholarships and additional funds through the GI Bill.

The bill also specifically covers technology-related courses for students looking to enter a high-demand computer science field.

Low-Cost Information Technology Courses and Degree Programs

Now that you know how to get some or all of your tuition costs covered, let's take a look at some low-cost information technology courses and programs that you may be able to take for free using the resources discussed above.

1. Stanford University

Stanford University, a private school in California, offers many programs and courses through its online component.

Stanford offers a short-term course titled 'Foundations of Information Security.' This course is self-paced but requires about 18 hours of study time. Once you enroll, you have 60 days to complete the course.

The course qualifies you to receive one unit of continuing education. It counts toward helping you maintain various IT certifications such as CISSP.

2. University of Washington

The University of Washington is located in Seattle and is one of the largest schools in the state. It offers a variety of online courses and degree programs.

It offers several computer-science-related courses. Two courses specifically related to information technology are 'Cyber Resilience' and 'Network and System Administration.'

Each of these courses runs for nine weeks and are available entirely online.

3. Western Governors University

Western Governors University is an online school headquartered in Utah. If you are looking for an information technology degree program, this school is a good place to start.

An online Bachelor of Science in information technology is available. This highly flexible degree program comes with various professional certificates built in, allowing you to add to your resume quickly.

What's more, tuition is charged per term, not per course. This means that the quicker you progress through your courses, the lower your overall tuition cost will be.

4. South Texas College

South Texas College is a community college that awards some bachelor's degrees along with associate degrees and certificates.

One of the available bachelor's degrees is a Bachelor of Applied Technology in computer and information technologies. This program also comes with built-in professional certificates.

Like Western Governors University, South Texas College charges per term instead of per course, which can reduce tuition costs for students who can progress quickly through their studies.

5. Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology

Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology offers a variety of online courses and degrees in information technology.

Students can pursue various general education courses, along with the following degree programs:

• Associate of Applied Science in information technology
• Associate of Science in information technology
• Bachelor of Technology in information technologies

The bachelor's degree in information technology comes with various program concentrations as well. This school is one of the most affordable in Oklahoma and offers various forms of financial aid and assistance to make college affordable.

6. Great Basin College

Great Basin College is a small public school located in Nevada.

It offers an online Bachelor of Applied Science in digital information technology. The program prepares students for management positions in IT fields.

The degree requires four years of full-time study to complete.

7. Middle Georgia State University

Middle Georgia State University is a public school that belongs to the University System of Georgia.

This school offers an online Bachelor of Science in information technology. This program is highly flexible, with most courses being offered in accelerated seven-week blocks.

The degree consists of 120 total credit hours.

Find the Right Free Online Information Technology Course for You

If you're looking to complete an online information technology course or degree program for free, check out the low-cost programs above and find out if financial aid or tuition assistance programs can help you cover the tuition costs.