Can Coursera online courses qualify for EDD Training Extension Benefits (TEB)?

I went through the California Training Benefits (CTB) program last year with my UI claim. From my experience, Coursera alone typically won't qualify for EDD training extensions. The training generally needs to be through an eligible training provider on the state's ETPL (Eligible Training Provider List). You can check if your specific program is approved at edd.ca.gov/en/jobs_and_training/eligible_training_provider_list/ Your best bet is to schedule an appointment with your local America's Job Center of California (AJCC) office ASAP to discuss WIOA funding options. They can help determine if your training qualifies and guide you through the application process. Don't wait until your benefits run out!

i did traing extention last yr but it was thru my comunit college. they made me fill out a DE 8736 form and get it signed by school. dont think coarsera counts but mayb talk 2 EDD direclty? gud luck!!

The California Training Benefits (CTB) program is quite specific about eligible training providers. I went through this process in 2025 with a coding bootcamp. Here's what you need to know: 1. Self-arranged training like Coursera usually doesn't qualify UNLESS it's part of a specific WIOA approved program 2. You need to submit the DE 8736 form BEFORE your benefits run out 3. The training must lead to a competitive job in demand in your area 4. You must be able to complete the training within a reasonable timeframe I'd recommend: - Contact your local AJCC office ASAP (they administer WIOA funding) - Consider transitioning to a community college program that offers similar courses (they're usually on the ETPL) - Apply for CTB at least 3-4 weeks before your benefits end Don't wait until the last minute - the approval process takes time!

I tried something similar with LinkedIn Learning courses and got DENIED. Total waste of time. The EDD is ridiculous with their requirements. Good luck getting through to anyone who can actually help you! 🙄

I had this exact same problem last month! Was taking Google IT courses online and needed to extend my UI. Couldn't get through to EDD after trying for TWO WEEKS. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The EDD rep I spoke with confirmed that most standalone online courses don't qualify for CTB unless they're part of a program through an approved provider (community college, vocational school, etc.). She suggested I contact my local WIOA office to see if they could help with both training funding AND possibly getting my specific program approved. Saved me from wasting time going down the wrong path.

Wait wait wait... you guys are getting EXTENSIONS?? My UI runs out next month and I'm taking online classes too! Nobody told me this was an option!!! How much longer can you get benefits for??? Is there a specific form I need? Why doesn't EDD make this clearer????

My cousin did something similar through his union training program. The key thing they told him was that self-arranged training rarely qualifies unless it's through an approved provider. I think someone already mentioned checking the ETPL list? But also, you might want to look into whether any community colleges have partnerships with Coursera - some do, and that might give you a way to get those same courses approved. Just a thought!

One more thing I forgot to mention - if you do qualify for CTB, you're generally exempt from the weekly job search requirements while in approved training. However, you still need to certify every two weeks. Make sure to answer "Yes" to the question about being in school or training on your certification form once approved.

i remeber i had to get paperwork from school counselor too. thye have to fill out part of the form i think

Update: I went to my local AJCC office yesterday and got some clarity. The person I spoke with confirmed Coursera alone won't qualify, but they suggested I look into Calbright College (California's online community college) which has some data science programs that ARE on the approved list! They're helping me with the paperwork now. Thanks everyone for your help!

I'm in a similar boat with my UI benefits running out soon! This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about CTB or the ETPL list. Quick question for those who've been through this process: if I'm currently unemployed and looking at retraining options, would it make more sense to apply for WIOA funding first and then the training benefits extension, or can they be done simultaneously? Also, has anyone had experience with how long the DE 8736 form actually takes to get processed once submitted? I'm trying to figure out if I should pause my current online courses and pivot to an approved program ASAP or if there's time to finish what I'm already doing. Thanks for sharing all this knowledge!

Just wanted to add another resource that might help - I recently discovered that some California community colleges have "bridge programs" that incorporate popular online platforms like Coursera or edX into their official curriculum. This way you get the content you want but through an ETPL-approved provider. Santa Monica College and Foothill College both have programs like this in tech fields. It's worth calling around to different community colleges in your area to ask if they have any partnerships or hybrid programs that might work for your data science goals. Also, many of these programs offer evening or weekend options if you need flexibility while job searching. The key is finding that official institutional backing that EDD recognizes!

Another option to consider is looking into trade schools and vocational programs - many of them are on the ETPL list and have been adapting to include tech/digital skills training. I know someone who got approved for CTB through a local trade school that offered a "Digital Marketing and Data Analytics" certificate program. It wasn't as comprehensive as a full data science program, but it got them the benefits extension they needed while building relevant skills. The advantage is that trade schools are usually very familiar with the EDD approval process since many of their students use these benefits. You might also check if any universities in your area offer "continuing education" or "professional development" certificates in data science - these are often shorter than degree programs but still qualify as approved training. UC Berkeley Extension and UCLA Extension both have programs like this, and I believe they're on the approved provider list. Worth exploring if you want something more rigorous than community college but faster than a full degree!

I've been lurking on this thread for a while and finally decided to jump in since I'm dealing with a similar situation. My UI benefits expire in about 5 weeks and I've been doing some self-paced programming courses online. Reading through all these responses has been eye-opening - I had no idea there were so many different pathways and requirements for getting training benefits! One thing I'm still unclear about: if I switch to an approved program now (like one of the community college or Calbright options mentioned), do I need to wait until I'm actually enrolled and attending classes to submit the DE 8736 form? Or can I submit it as soon as I'm accepted to the program? I'm trying to figure out the exact timing to avoid any gaps in benefits. Also, has anyone here had experience with how EDD handles the transition if you're already receiving regular UI and then get approved for CTB? Do the benefit amounts stay the same or do they change? I want to make sure I understand what to expect financially before making the jump to a training program. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences - this thread has been incredibly valuable for those of us navigating this confusing system!

This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm in a similar situation with my benefits expiring in about 6 weeks. I've been taking some free coding courses on freeCodeCamp and was worried I'd have to start over completely. After reading all these responses, I'm planning to visit my local AJCC office next week to explore the community college and Calbright options mentioned here. One additional resource I found that might help others - the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office has a program locator tool on their website where you can search for career education programs by field and location. I used it to find several data analytics and computer programming certificates in my area that are likely on the ETPL list. It's at cccco.edu if anyone wants to check it out. Also wanted to thank @Oliver Zimmermann for posting this question originally - your situation sounds almost identical to mine and this thread probably saved me from making the same Coursera mistake! Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and resources here.

As someone who just went through this process, I wanted to add that timing is absolutely critical! I made the mistake of waiting too long to start the paperwork and almost had a gap in my benefits. Here's what I wish I'd known earlier: 1. Start the process AT LEAST 6 weeks before your benefits expire if possible 2. Have backup options ready - I applied to 3 different programs just in case one fell through 3. Keep detailed records of all your communications with EDD, AJCC, and schools - you'll need to reference them later 4. Some AJCC offices are way more helpful than others - if yours isn't responsive, try calling a different location in your area Also, for anyone considering the community college route - many offer "short-term career training" programs that are 6 months or less and specifically designed for UI recipients. These are often fast-tracked for ETPL approval. I ended up in a 4-month cybersecurity program that got me both the benefits extension AND landed me a job before I even finished! Don't give up if the first person you talk to says "no" - keep pushing and asking to speak to supervisors. The system is confusing but it absolutely works if you're persistent!