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Asked 762 views Translated from Spanish .

financial support opportunities to gain a certificate

financial support opportunities to gain a certificate

I want to start a certification in Digital Marketing at Hunter College but I don't have financial help, what options do I have besides getting into debt?

The program is perfect but expensive>
Certificate in Digital Marketing & Combined Certificate in Digital Marketing & Adobe Tools
The Certificate in Digital Marketing is ideal for
those searching for an entry level marketing
position or those seeking an understanding of
the subject.

#JULY20 #digitalmarketing #marketing #career

+25 Karma if successful
From: You
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Subject: Career question for you

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Corinne’s Answer

This is a hard one. I too wanted to get a similar type of certification and it was over 10 grand at the University I was looking at. And because it is a certification it didn’t qualify for any forms of financial aid. However, some scholarships cover certifications. They are harder to find but local scholarships to be your best bet. If they don’t cover certifications I would contact the scholarship committee and ask if they would consider an applicant who is looking for a certification to further their education. I’ve sat on a few scholarship committees and I know that, at least for us, each time we were asked our answer was yes.

Another option is just to take a few relevant classes in the certification instead of the whole thing. This is what I ended up doing as I couldn’t afford the full certification. Not only did it help my job at the time, with having those technical skills, but every recruiter I talked to mentioned the fact that I have taken those classes (as I listed them in my resume).

Best of luck.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for sharing your experience, I will look for alternatives with the university. Luis
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Jackie’s Answer

Hi Luis!

While Adobe is a great certification to have, if you are concerned about going into debt, I would suggest looking into free resources and programs. Google Skillshop, Facebook Blueprint and The Trade Desk Edge are all free certifications (until the end of the year) that would be great for Digital Marketing.
Thank you comment icon Thank You Jackie! I will look for resources related to your advice. Luis
Thank you comment icon I agree with Jackie here. The largest tech, marketing and software companies are offering FREE access to their industry leading Digital Marketing and Advertising Platforms! These companies will normally charge a premium for customers and clients to access their platforms. If you want to build your Digital Marketing experience and portfolio start with the leaders in the Digital Marketing space: Google, Facebook, Trade Desk, Hubspot. I will provide the links to others in a separate comment. Vince Toves
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Alison’s Answer

Hi Luis,

Yes. I think the first thing every college student learns is how EXPENSIVE college is! There are 4 types of financial aid available to students. It sounds like you already know about loans; those are what typically get students into debt. But, there are other options.

Grants and scholarships are the first two alternate choices that come to mind. Both give you money that does not need to be paid back. Grants are most commonly given through the federal or state government, but some non-profits or private organizations give them out too. You will have to fill out an application such as the FAFSA, and the government or organization will determine how much you qualify for. Scholarships are more often based on skills and interests, and come in set amounts. Students should do quite a bit of research to find scholarships to apply to that they qualify for based on background, area of study, or extracurricular skills or interests. Grants are usually based on your financial situation, while scholarships are usually based on you the student and what you can do.

The fourth choice is work-study. In this case, if you’re approved for the program at your university, your university sets you up with an on-campus job and your work at that job helps to offset your tuition costs. You balance your work time with your class/study time.

Hope this helps! Good luck in your college planning!

Alison recommends the following next steps:

Check out this website for a detailed explanation: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/an-ultimate-guide-to-understanding-college-financial-aid
This one is helpful too: https://www.bankrate.com/loans/student-loans/guide-to-college-scholarships-and-grants/
Thank you comment icon I love your answers so intuitive and complete, since you give me several options and resources to continue the search. I really appreciate it, thank you Alison! Luis
Thank you comment icon You’re very welcome, and best wishes to you! Alison Warren
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Vince’s Answer

Build your Digital Marketing experience and portfolio start with the leaders in the Digital Marketing space: Google, Facebook, Trade Desk, Hubspot.

A couple of question for you:

What specific area of Digital Marketing are you most interested in becoming an expert? Digital Marketing is a vast industry where you can specialize in SEO, Email Marketing, Inbound Marketing, Outbound, Web Analytics, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Social Media Marketing, etc...

Why are you interested in Digital Marketing?

I would start with these questions first. Then I would start taking these free online courses and see what specific area of expertise you would like to focus on for yourself. Pursue an area that you are committed to completing. These self-paced online tools take time and discipline. You can complete several courses and certifications when you set aside some time and sit down and do them on a daily and nightly basis. 1 hour a day or more if you are motivated and ambitious. Trust me I know what it takes to get the job done. I completed 15 certifications this year alone, during any free time I had and right before I went to bed each night.

Invest in yourself! Bet on yourself and commit to your goals! Once you achieve 1 Digital Marketing Certification you will be motivated to complete another one.

Here are the links I mentioned: You will need to setup a free account to login. Once logged in you will have access to their Learning Academy and Marketing Platforms.

Hubspot Academy: https://app.hubspot.com/academy/7888089/tracks

HubSpot’s Inbound Marketing Training Program and Certification. Enjoy these 12 free marketing classes and reading materials from HubSpot to help you master inbound marketing. Learn about blogging, SEO, keyword strategy, social media, email marketing, calls to action, and more! Finish up with an exam to prove your worth.


Wordstream: https://www.wordstream.com/growth-academy

Growth Academy is a comprehensive, interactive roadmap to growing your business through digital marketing, including online advertising, lead generation, ecommerce, and more. Not only is it completely free, but it's also taught by some of the top marketing experts in the industry.

Check you local library for free access to Lynda.com (this is the same learning platform used on LinkedIn) All you need is a Library Card to login, if your local library offers this.

Here is the link to the New York Public Library Information to sign up and access Lynda.com for FREE!

https://www.nypl.org/collections/articles-databases/lyndacom


Notes: Please note that you can only access course content through the NYPL's lynda.com login page, and not by directly visiting the lynda.com homepage. Also note that NYPL's lynda.com accounts are now accessible through mobile devices and lynda.com apps. For Mobile users: 1. Download the lynda app from Google Play / App Store 2.Open the app 3. Select - Already a member? 4. From top of the screen select - Organization 5. Under Web Portal type - nypl.org and click on Log in 6. Use your library card credentials and click on Log in

https://www.lynda.com/


Best of luck!
Vince




Thank you comment icon Hi Vince, Your answer is very accurate and valuable, I did several courses on Linkedin Learning (1 moth free), and Udemy. For all I have been researching and learning I can say that I am very attracted to (in this order) inbound marketing, SEO, Growth Hacking But I also understand that I must know the essentials of the entire industry. Luis
Thank you comment icon Why Digital MKT? ... Mainly because I like it, but also in the last few years I became an entrepreneur. As an event photographer I had to learn marketing and the tools available to facilitate the complex multitasking job of being an entrepreneur. Today I feel that I want to get involved, get accredited and join work teams in the Marketing industry where I have the option of working in person or remotely. I see that there are tons of small businesses that will need to be digitized and the world situation is a great opportunity for everyone in that sense. I am fascinated with the resources you shared with me. I will review them carefully Luis
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James Constantine’s Answer

Hello Luis!

Ways to Fund Your Digital Marketing Certification

1. Scholarships and Grants: Start by looking into scholarships and grants tailored for students seeking certifications in areas such as digital marketing. Many schools, like Hunter College, offer scholarships based on merit or need. Also, external groups like professional marketing associations or local community foundations often give grants for education. Check the Hunter College website or reach out to their financial aid office to find out about available scholarships.

2. Employer Sponsorship: If you're currently working, think about talking to your employer about your interest in the certification. Some companies have tuition reimbursement programs or sponsorships for employees wanting to improve their job-related skills. Making a compelling case about how the certification will benefit both you and the company could boost your chances of getting support.

3. Payment Plans: A lot of schools offer flexible payment plans that let students pay tuition in installments, not all at once. This can greatly lessen the financial strain and help you steer clear of debt. Ask Hunter College if they have such options for their certificate programs.

4. Federal Financial Aid: Although usually linked with degree programs, some certificate programs might qualify for federal financial aid under Title IV of the Higher Education Act. Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can help you find out if you're eligible for federal grants, work-study opportunities, or low-interest loans that don't need to be paid back while you're studying.

5. Community Resources: Local community organizations and non-profits sometimes give financial help or scholarships to residents studying in high-demand fields like digital marketing. Looking into local resources in New York City might reveal more funding opportunities.

6. Online Learning Platforms: Think about checking out online platforms that offer digital marketing courses at a lower price than traditional colleges. Sites like Coursera, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning often have reasonably priced courses that give certificates when you finish and might be recognized by employers.

7. Crowdfunding: If the usual funding sources aren't an option, think about using crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe or Kickstarter to raise money from friends, family, and even people you don't know who believe in your educational goals.

By systematically exploring these different options, you can find possible ways to fund your Digital Marketing certification without taking on a lot of debt.

Chances the answer is correct: 95%

Top 3 Reliable Sources Used in Answering this Question:

1. Hunter College Financial Aid Office: This official source gives detailed information about scholarships, grants, and other financial aid options specifically at Hunter College.

2. U.S. Department of Education: This government resource gives complete guidelines on federal student aid eligibility and application processes through FAFSA.

3. National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE): NACE gives information about employer-sponsored education benefits and trends regarding professional development funding in various industries.

God Bless You!
JC.
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