How to get financial assistance for edX courses
Student aid makes education more accessible by helping learners overcome financial limitations. Explore aid options available for edX courses and programs.
By: James M. Tobin, Edited by: Marie Custodio Collazo
Published: June 3, 2025
Financial assistance available for edX courses
edX offers student aid for most verified track courses and programs. This track leads to verified academic credentials, such as a certificate of achievement.
When you apply for aid, you'll be asked about your:
- Employment
- Income
- Reasons for seeking financial assistance
edX uses these details to evaluate your application.
How to apply for student aid on edX
First, refer to the eligible and ineligible courses and programs list to confirm that your edX learning opportunity qualifies for financial aid. Then, follow these steps:
1. Choose a program and enroll in each course
If you're taking a multi-course edX program, you'll need to enroll in each course individually. Open the program enrollment page, find the "courses in this program" prompt, expand the course list, and click "view the course" for each course. This will redirect you to the course enrollment page.
For help, consult the financial assistance application guide.
2. Enroll in the free audit track
On the course enrollment page, sign up for the free audit track. This will give you temporary access to the course and its materials, except for graded assignments.
Note that you cannot earn a verified academic credential if you only audit a course.
3. Complete the financial assistance application
Once you have officially enrolled in the audit track, proceed to the edX financial assistance application portal. You will need your edX site credentials to log in.
Complete the application and submit it. Consult the financial assistance help guide or the application help guide to troubleshoot problems.
4. Await the decision on your application
After you submit your application, edX will promptly review it. edX will consider your income level, employment status, and reasons for seeking financial assistance when evaluating your application.
Frequently asked questions about student aid on edX
Can you apply for student aid after taking the course?
You must apply for financial assistance before the published cutoff date to upgrade to verified track status. This cutoff varies by course.
Explore the edX financial aid application deadlines guide for more help.
How much financial aid can you get for edX courses?
You can receive a reduction of up to 80% if the verified-track fee for your edX course. However, you can only receive financial assistance a maximum of five times during each 12-month period.
How long will it take to know if you were approved for edX's student aid?
It may take up to four weeks for edX to make a decision on your financial assistance application. You will be notified of the decision via email.
What can you do if edX rejects your application for financial aid?
If edX rejects your financial assistance application, the reasoning will be explained in your email notification. You can then prepare and submit a new application if the refusal was based on a correctable issue.
Can you use approved student aid for a different edX course if you change your mind?
No. Financial assistance only applies to the course for which it was originally granted. You must apply separately for each edX course for which you wish to receive aid.