FAFSA Alternatives: 5 Other Ways to Fund Career Training








Career training is a smart way to open doors, but it often comes with tuition costs. Paying for your education can sometimes feel like the biggest barrier to even getting started.

Financial aid helps make your training more achievable. You might have heard of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. It’s a well-known financial aid option, but it can lead to hefty repayments or student loan debt after graduation. The good news is it’s not the only route to affordable education. Here are five FAFSA alternatives to fund your training.

1. Payment Plans

Many schools have student payment plans that help you pay smaller increments instead of one upfront amount. As an online training provider in healthcare and IT, MedCerts helps make your education more affordable with 3- to 12-month payment plans. These installments have customizable interest rates depending on your down payment and program cost. With payment plans, you can fit your education to your budget.

2. Military Credentialing Assistance (Army, Air Force, Coast Guard)

If you’re active duty, apply for Credentialing Assisting (CA/COOL) through your military branch to earn career certifications. These certifications are especially helpful before transitioning to civilian life. MedCerts, proud to be a military-friendly school, is an approved vendor for the following three credentialing programs.

  • Army CA: Up to $2,000 each fiscal year from the Department of Army. You need to be active duty in the Army, Army Reserve or National Guard.
  • Air Force COOL: Up to $4,500 per lifetime from the Department of Air Force. It’s for active duty members in the Air Force, Air Force Reserve, US Space Force and Air Force National Guard.
  • Coast Guard COOL: Up to $4,500 each fiscal year, until the program cap is reached. The program is funded through the Education and Training Quota Management Command and is for active-duty Coast Guard members.

3. MyCAA Military Spouse Scholarship

The My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) scholarship supports military spouses. It’s funded through the Department of Defense and covers training for in-demand, portable careers that can move with you. 

How it works: 

  • Get up to $4,000, split intoĀ payments of up to $2,000 each fiscal year.Ā 
  • Your active-duty spouse must be in ranks E-1 to E-9, W-1 to W-3 or O-1 to O-3.

MedCerts has 30+ MyCAA-approved programs you can train for anywhere, anytime. 

4. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Grants

WIOA is a Department of Labor program that’s state-run. If you’re struggling to find or keep a job, you can use workforce funding for low- to zero-cost career training. These government grants help you pay for short-term education if you’re in the low-income bracket or are under- or unemployed. You can find local American Job Centers in all states that help you find the right funding.

MedCerts is an approved healthcare and IT training provider and partners with American Job Centers in 30+ states. 

5. GI BillĀ® Reimbursement

If you’re a veteran, service member or dependent, use your GI BillĀ® benefits to reimburse the cost of training. This FAFSA alternative applies to Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35).

At MedCerts, you can find 20+ GI BillĀ®-approved courses in healthcare and IT. Simply enroll in an approved program and pay the tuition up front on a monthly payment plan. Once you complete your certification and exam, submit your tuition costs to the VA for Preparatory Course Reimbursement. 

Take the Next Step 

Financial aid isn’t one size fits all. From federal grants to payment plans, there are many options for education funding outside FAFSA. Low- to zero-cost career training can lead to lucrative, in-demand roles, so what are you waiting for? It’s time to start on your next chapter!

The Department of Defense and Department of Veteran Affairs are not affiliated with MedCerts and does not endorse our services. GI BillĀ® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website atĀ http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Written by

MedCerts Team

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