Need free access for study

Question

I recently began my Azure certification course, and I was surprised to receive a text indicating an additional $250 charge towards my Azure account. As a retired senior software engineer working to re-enter the workplace, these accumulating costs may compel me to halt my studies. I believe having someone with my experience certified in Azure would be mutually beneficial. Given my situation, I'm reaching out to explore if there's any support or alternatives available to continue my studies without the added financial burden. Studying for AZ-204.

Answer 1

Hi, Kurt

There are various 'Free' services you can consume, but there will be services that you will have to pay for. But like all Azure services, you can spin these up and shut them down when you are done (so you only pay for the resources as they are provisioned). For AZ-204, this makes using plans like Consumption for Azure Function more suitable, and toollike Azure Functions Core Tool to develop and test locally without consuming Azure resources.

A few of the Learning Paths, have Azure sandboxes you can consume for free by just following the modules.

You do raise an interesting point, though; I am aware of Student programs that have Azure but not 'return to work' programs.