How To Become a Psychologist for Free

Many financial assistance programs, including no-cost courses, scholarships, and federal aid, can be used to reduce the cost of becoming a psychologist.

By applying for all the available financial aid options and taking advantage of free psychology programs, you can achieve your career goals without incurring out-of-pocket costs and student debt.

Whether you attend in-person classes or enroll in an online degree program, it can be expensive to become a licensed psychologist. With numerous financial resources to utilize and combine, you can reduce your expenses and possibly have the whole cost of your psychology degree covered.

Tips For Becoming a Psychologist With Little to No Cost

These eight tips provide a more affordable, and potentially free, route to work as a psychologist. Below, we'll discuss online courses, scholarships, and other programs.

1. Take Free Online Psychology Courses

Free online psychology courses and certifications are an effective way to learn and develop your understanding of psychology without paying for college tuition. They can help you understand key concepts in psychology.

Carnegie Mellon University's Intro to Psychology Course

Carnegie Mellon University's offers an Intro to Psychology course that covers core psychology concepts and theories. It introduces you to key topics like cognitive processes, behavioral patterns, and mental health issues. As a part of the university's Open Learning Initiative, the free course can provide a solid foundation for your psychology studies.

Wesleyan University's Social Psychology Course

Wesleyan University offers a free Social Psychology course on Coursera that explores social behavior and how the people in our lives play a role in shaping our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. If you are new to psychology, this free course can introduce you to the psychological principles behind social behavior and human interaction through recorded lectures, readings, and assessments.

Alison's Child Development Course

Alison's Child Development course is an accessible way to learn about the physical, cognitive, and emotional development of children without needing to pay any fees. The course covers various theories and their applications to real-life situations, making it a useful free resource for those interested in pursuing a child psychologist career.

2. Pursue Free and Low-Cost Online Psychology Certificates

Online psychology certificates are an affordable way to boost your credentials and highlight your in-depth knowledge of psychology.

The Open University's Intro to Child Psychology Certificate

Open University's free Intro to Child Psychology Certificate introduces you to the psychological aspects of how children learn, think, and develop emotionally. The certificate highlights the influences of family, society, and culture.

If you're new to the field and want to become a psychologist or a family therapist, this free certificate can broaden your understanding and introduce you to child psychology.

Open Learn's Investigating Psychology Certificate

Open Learn's Investigating Psychology Certificate is offered as part of Open University's free learning initiative. The certificate program, which covers cognitive, social, and developmental psychology, can give you an overview of fundamental psychological concepts and research methods so you can start your path to becoming a psychologist.

eLearning College's Certificate in Child Psychology

The Certificate in Child Psychology is offered for free through eLearning College. It covers essential aspects of child development, including emotional, social, and cognitive growth. The course is designed to provide a formal child psychology qualification so you can further your education in the field.

3. Apply for Psychology Scholarships

Scholarships are valuable funding sources that can cover a large portion of your tuition costs. As a psychology student, you can apply for many scholarship programs, such as those listed below.

Sharon Stephens Brehm Undergraduate Psychology Scholarships

The Sharon Stephens Brehm Undergraduate Psychology Scholarships are merit-based awards that help students pay for bachelor's degrees to promote diversity and inclusion in the field. The American Psychological Association (APA) awards scholarships to students based on their academic performance, personal achievements, and strong interests in psychology.

G.H. DePriest Memorial Scholarship

The G.H. DePriest Memorial Scholarship program awards students with strong academic abilities who actively engage in their communities, reflecting DePriest's values. It provides financial assistance to help cover tuition and other educational costs, allowing recipients to focus on their studies without the burden of financial constraints.

The scholarship encourages students to excel academically as they positively contribute to their communities.

Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation can decrease your education expenses by providing up to $30,000 in financial assistance for you to attend graduate school, whether for a master's degree or a Doctor of Psychology.

Aspiring psychologists can benefit from this scholarship because it aims to support students pursuing graduate degrees and career paths in public service, including social work, healthcare, and nonprofits.

4. Seek Employer Tuition Reimbursement

If you're working while completing your psychology degree coursework, check if your employer offers tuition reimbursement. Many workplaces provide tuition assistance programs as part of their employee benefits. These programs can reduce your tuition costs and, depending on the company, can cover a large portion of your program expenses.

5. Enroll in Community College Programs

You can save money while becoming a psychologist by taking courses at a community college before enrolling in a bachelor's program. Community colleges are typically more affordable than four-year schools and can be used to lower your education costs.

Though it can vary depending on your school's transfer credit policy, general education and introductory-level psychology courses can usually be transferred from a community college to a four-year degree program.

6. Fill out the FAFSA

If you are earning a bachelor's degree, attending a master's program, or pursuing a doctoral degree, you should submit the FAFSA each academic year. Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can give you access to federal financial aid, including grants, student loans, and work-study opportunities.

The FAFSA determines the programs and amount of aid you qualify for based on your financial information. If you meet certain criteria, you could be eligible for enough assistance to fund your entire education.

7. Network With Psychology Professionals

Networking with professionals like licensed therapists, social workers, mental health counselors, and clinical psychologists can guide you in the right direction, provide you with internships or job opportunities, and even introduce you to scholarships to help you become a psychologist. By joining psychology organizations, attending conferences, and seeking advice from licensed psychologists, you can better connect with mental health professionals.

8. Look for Internship Opportunities

In addition to the other funding opportunities, you can also look into internships that offer financial assistance. Internships can introduce you to different health services, types of therapy, treatment plans, behavioral disorders, and mental illnesses.

While they provide valuable hands-on experience, they can sometimes offer stipends or scholarships that can help you become a psychologist for free. Psychology internships are available to students at various degree levels and specializations whether you are pursuing counseling psychology or online therapy sessions.

Some areas with psychology internships include:

• clinical psychology
• psychotherapy
• substance abuse
• cognitive behavioral therapy
• neuroscience
• psychiatry