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Is there a way to get Azure credits in order to progress with studying the MS learn content?

Wouter van der Waal 25 Reputation points
2023-08-09T13:42:02.5566667+00:00

Hi,

I have recently finished the AZ-500, AZ-104, and AZ-305 exams and most of the foundation ones. However, my real passion lies in the data (analytics, engineer and science) field. I would really love to be able to progress with those three certifications and eventually develop myself into an Azure data, ML and AI expert - yeah, it's a bit much, but we can all be a bit ambitious, can we?

Now I am a bit hesitant to progress, because for machine learning studio, and things like Azure Synapse Analytics and Azure Data Factory, my first intuition is that they will have me run into a lot of costs. Even if I just quickly run the excercises and delete the resources afterwards.

So, the thing is. I consider myself a student, but of course that is not by your definition as my university days are behind me - for now. Secondly, company had Visual Studio subscriptions, which give some developers credits to look around and try things, but a developer I am definitly not. And the lead architect is nabbing the montly 100 dollar credit to run his own private project, so that was not going to happen. Also I am sincerely thinking of starting a new business someday - that's one of the reasons for studying all your courses -, but it will probably be a new department of an existing company, so no startup label.

So, yeah...probably not happening, but still I would like to have given it a try and ask you if there is way to be able to study for these (DP-203, DP-100, DP-500) courses without having to watch my inbox for budget alerts. It is not that I don't want to incur costs, but only that I have honestly no idea how much this is going to set me back and if I wll be able to delete and stop all resources accurately. Is there some sort of programme for people like me?

Thanks in advance!

Kind regards,

Wouter van der Waal

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  1. Mahmoud A. ATALLAH 226 Reputation points MVP
    2023-08-09T18:00:25.95+00:00

    Absolutely, there are ways to get Azure credits and access resources for learning and experimenting without incurring significant costs. Microsoft provides several options to support learning and skill development on its platform:

    • Azure Free Account: You can sign up for an Azure Free Account, which provides you with a limited amount of credits for exploring Azure services. This can be a great way to start learning and experimenting without worrying about immediate costs. Remember that this account has usage limits, and some services might not be available.
    • Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Learn offers free hands-on learning modules and labs that use sandbox environments. These environments are designed for learning purposes and do not accrue costs beyond what's provided in your free Azure account. You can practice various Azure technologies without impacting your budget.( Ex. https://microsoftlearning.github.io/dp-203-azure-data-engineer/)
    • Azure for Students: If you're a student or have an email address from an educational institution, you might be eligible for Azure for Students. This program provides you with a significant amount of Azure credits each month for a limited time period (usually a year). It's a fantastic option for students looking to learn and experiment without worrying about costs.
    • Visual Studio Dev Essentials: While you mentioned you're not a developer, Visual Studio Dev Essentials can still be useful. This program provides free Azure credits along with other development tools and resources. Some Azure services can be utilized for learning purposes without requiring extensive development skills.
    • Azure DevTest Labs: If you have access to a Visual Studio subscription (formerly MSDN subscription) through your company, you can leverage Azure DevTest Labs. This allows you to create lab environments and control costs by setting up resource quotas and automation rules.
    • Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) Visual Studio Subscription: If you're affiliated with a Microsoft Partner organization, you might have access to MPN Visual Studio Subscriptions, which include Azure credits for development and testing purposes.

    Before you begin, make sure to carefully review the terms and conditions of each program to understand the limits and terms of usage. Also, remember that Microsoft's offerings may evolve over time, so it's good to check their official website for the most up-to-date information on these options. With these resources, you can certainly pursue your passion for data, machine learning, and AI without having to constantly worry about costs.

    4 people found this answer helpful.

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