How Much Does Merit America Cost and What’s Included?

A man compares the cost of a college degree versus a tech bootcamp.

Let’s not beat around the bush. Higher education is expensive.

The average cost of college in the United States is $38,270 per year, including books, supplies, and daily living expenses. Likewise, bootcamps like General Assembly’s UX Design program cost $16,450.

While online courses have existed for decades as a popular, more cost-effective option, without professional development, career changers are left without a way to apply their knowledge or create a professional trajectory built on their strengths.

So what options are you left with when:

college is too long and expensive
full-time bootcamp programs don’t offer the flexibility you need
and online courses don’t have the structure or support to translate learning into a new job?

This is the driving force behind Merit America: to make in-demand careers accessible by combining the best of online learning with world-class coaching and support.

To achieve that, it all starts with making the opportunity to pursue online job training affordable. In this article, we’ll explore how you can afford Merit America without breaking the bank.

📌 Related Reading: Is Merit America Legit?

How much does Merit America cost?

It’s simple – anyone willing to work hard for their career goals deserves the opportunity to succeed! It’s why we offer a variety of payment options to cover Merit America’s $5700 program costs.

Recognizing that $5,700 is a significant investment, we offer four options to help cover the cost of our program.

Pay upfront in full
Participate in an employer partner sponsorship program
Opt for $0 down with Ascent Funding’s Zero Percent Loan
Opportunity For All

Let’s cover each option.

Option 1. Pay for the Program Upfront

Have you set aside funds in anticipation of pursuing your education? Thinking about joining a program like Merit America?

Regardless of your circumstances, if you have the financial means to pay for Merit America upfront, you’ll have the option to choose upfront payments as your preferred method when you join the program.

Option 2. Employer Sponsorship

Many employers and organizations recognize the value of investing in their employee’s professional development and may cover some or all of the costs for programs like Merit America.

Companies such as Amazon, for example, have established initiatives to support their workforce in acquiring new skills and advancing their careers through educational sponsorships. These benefits can significantly reduce the financial burden on learners, making it easier to pursue career advancement opportunities.

If you’re considering Merit America, it’s worth having a conversation with your employer to explore whether they offer sponsorship or tuition reimbursement for job training programs. By taking advantage of these opportunities, you can potentially offset or even eliminate the program’s cost, making it a smart and career-enhancing move.

📌 Related Reading: Amy’s Amazon Career Choice Story

Option 3. Ascent’s Zero Percent Loan

Loans are a strategic investment in your financial future, enabling you to gain the skills needed to advance your career without the burden of high-interest payments.

The Zero Percent Loan is offered by Ascent Funding and is funded by the $100M Google Career Certificates Fund. You can expect from the Zero Percent Loan:

No upfront cost: Learners won’t pay anything until at least three months after they complete or exit their program.
0% interest: Learners won’t be charged any interest, late fees, or origination fees on the loan.
Fixed monthly payments: Once learners begin repayment, they make low, predictable monthly payments for 60 months.

Let’s break the Zero Percent Loan down further:

You’ll pay, at most, $5,700 over 60 months with the option to defer for up to 60 months if you’re not earning at least $40,000 per year. After 60 months, any remaining payment obligation is waived, even if you haven’t paid anything.

If you choose Ascent’s Zero Percent Loan, here’s a look at what you can expect:

Ascent Funding Zero Percent Loan
Down payment	$0
Monthly in-program payments	$0
Income threshold After completing the program, you won’t pay unless your income is above this level.	The equivalent of at least $40,000 per year
Monthly post-program payments This is the amount you’ll pay each month once you enter repayment.	Up to $95
Number of payments This is the maximum number of payments you’ll make if your income stays above the threshold for the entire contract length.	Up to 60
Payment cap This is the maximum you’d pay if your income stays above the threshold for the entire contract length.	$5,700
Contract length Your payment obligation is waived after this time has passed – even if you’ve paid nothing.	60 months

Option 4: Opportunity For All

We believe that cost should not be a barrier to your career transition. For this reason, we offer the Opportunity for All program, which covers 100% of job training program costs.

Opportunity for All is available to learners who:

Cannot make a full, upfront payment
Do not have access to employer sponsorship
Were denied the Zero Percent Loan from Ascent Funding due to debt or collections

We set aside up to 10% of our spots for the Opportunity for All program.

What’s Included in the Cost?

Merit America provides more than just technical skills; it also offers a team to help you land the job. By the end of the course, you will have applied to at least 10 career-track related jobs, significantly increasing your chances of landing a job. Here’s what you can expect:

Personalized, hands-on career coaching:

1-on-1 Meetings: Regular sessions with a dedicated professional career coach to help you through your career journey.
Career Planning: Personalized guidance from experienced career coaches to help you navigate your career path successfully.
Hands-On Support: From resume reviews to interview practice, our comprehensive support system ensures you are fully prepared for the job market.

Comprehensive networking and job search support:

Professional Networking: Build and expand your professional network effectively.
Strategic Job Searching: Learn how to search for jobs strategically and interact with recruiters.
LinkedIn Optimization: Enhance your LinkedIn profile to attract career-track related job opportunities.
Networking Plan: We’ll help you create a detailed plan to leverage LinkedIn for informational interviews and networking.
Job Board Profiles: Set up and optimize profiles on various job boards to increase your visibility.
Employer Partnerships: Discover how Merit America’s employer connections can help you land a job.

Expert application and interview preparation:

Resume Optimization: We’ll help you create a powerful resume, and get it optimized by a professional coach.
Cover Letter Review: Receive personalized feedback on your cover letters
Interview Practice: Learn how to nail your interviews, and participate in interview practice sessions.
Salary Research & Value Statements: Learn how to research salaries and articulate your value.
Reference List Creation: Compile and submit a professional reference list.

Essential professional development skills:

Industry Overview: Understand the landscape and opportunities in your chosen sector.
Career Pathing & Transferable Skills: Identify and leverage skills that can propel your career forward.
Effective Workplace Communication: Master the art of professional communication in various settings.

📌 Related Reading: Is Merit America Accredited?

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I don’t have access to a laptop?

As with most online programs, there are basic device requirements necessary to participate in the virtual environment. At Merit America, basic device requirements are as follows:

A laptop or desktop computer with at least 8GB of RAM,
Operating System: Windows 8+ or macOS 10.15.1 Catalina or newer
Processor: Intel Pentium 2 GHz or faster, or an equivalent processor
Minimum of 50 GB disk space available
High-speed internet access
A webcam with audio input

If you do not have a laptop, there are several other options available to acquire one:

Public libraries: Many libraries offer free computer and internet access, as well as low-cost laptops and computer classes.
Nonprofit organizations: Groups like United Way and Goodwill may provide free or low-cost computers and basic computer skills training.
Government programs: The Lifeline program and EITC offer free or discounted laptops for low-income families.
Admissions Device Grant Program: This Merit America initiative offers a limited number of refurbished laptops to eligible learners to ensure they have the tools they need to participate in the program.

How do I qualify for the Admissions Device Grant?

To be eligible, learners must complete the admissions process and indicate during squad selection that they lack a device that meets our requirements. Upon receiving this information, we will email you details about the device grant program and the options for obtaining a device.

Learners must respond within three days, confirming their intent to receive a device and how they plan to cover the costs—by signing the loan early or paying in full upfront.

When do I start paying for the program?

Before starting the program, you’ll select the payment option that works best for you: $0 down with Ascent’s Zero Percent Loan, paying in full upfront, Employer Sponsorship, or applying for our Opportunity for All Program.

During the first 5 Weeks, you’ll have full access to all coursework, tools, and support. Until the end of Week 5, you can cancel your loan if the program is not a good fit.

Unless you choose to pay upfront, with Ascent’s Zero Percent Loan, you won’t make any payments until at least three months after completing or exiting the program, whichever comes first.

We’re confident in our program’s success. If you don’t earn at least $40,000 within two years of completing the Immersion phase, you may be eligible for a loan refund under our Merit America Guarantee.

What is Ascent Funding?

Ascent Funding is a third-party lending organization dedicated to providing educational access to millions of underserved students each year. While Ascent is not affiliated with Merit America, it partners with us to offer equitable financing options for those who might otherwise struggle to access our programs.

Please note that Merit America does not provide or administer or otherwise control the terms of the loan. Prospective borrowers should review the terms and conditions of the Zero Percent Loan program provided by Ascent Funding on their website.

A career changer outlining how to utilize transferable skills in the job search.

Start your Career Transition with Merit America

Merit America is an investment in your financial future!

With over 11,000 alumni nationwide, an 80% completion rate, and alumni seeing an average wage gain of $24,000 within three months post-program, it’s an opportunity to receive best-in-class training and job support at a fraction of the cost.

Begin by exploring our “Which Program Is Right For You” quiz, or contact an admissions advisor to learn more about how you can make this investment in your future. Take the first step toward achieving your career goals today!

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