Microsoft is proud to help veterans and their spouses successfully transition from the military to civilian employment. Through Microsoft’s investments of more than $12 million in cash, software and related support, veterans and their eligible spouses can take advantage of resources including: technology skills training and certification, job placement, career counseling and other support services such as childcare, transportation and housing to help in their successful transition to civilian life.
Our thanks to The American Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Paralyzed Veterans of America, United Service Organizations (USO), and the Wounded Warrior Project who have served as members of the Elevate America veterans initiative advisory committee.
Microsoft, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor in a liaison role, and local workforce areas, is proud to offer U.S. military veterans and their eligible spouses, vouchers for no-cost IT skills training and certification designed to help you build the technology skills employers are looking for. Microsoft and local workforce areas will offer 10,000 technology training and certification packages to U.S. military veterans and their eligible spouses over a two year period. This partnership is an extension of the overall Microsoft Elevate America Veterans Initiative which, with this addition, demonstrates a total investment of $12 million cash, product and related support for U.S. veterans.
Veterans and their eligible spouses can request a no-cost voucher that will help them build their skills in selected Microsoft technologies, an industry recognized certification exam that can be used to demonstrate your skills to employers plus additional in person support to help ensure your success.
How do I get a voucher?
Vouchers are available in five geographies across the country, where the highest concentration of U.S. military veterans currently reside, based on data from the U.S. Department of Defense.
If you are a U.S. military veteran who resides in one of the below geographies, please follow the link to learn more.
- California - San Diego, California
- Florida - Jacksonville, Florida
- Texas – Residents of the following counties: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Waller, Walker, Wharton
- Virginia - Northern Virginia
- Washington State – King County
Are you a U.S. military veteran who does not reside in one of these geographies?
Activate my eLearning voucher
Before activating your voucher for no cost eLearning, please review the detailed voucher information sheet which includes instructions, technical requirements and FAQ.
Redeem my voucher for a free certification exam
Certification exams are offered to correspond with the e-learning.
- Exams are given at physical locations
- Students select exam center convenient for them (see below for link to search) and must schedule exam time
- Please note that the free voucher from Microsoft covers the cost of the exam only. Testing centers may charge a small proctoring fee, which is not covered by the voucher and is the responsibility of the individual.
Intermediate level Windows & Office exams are offered through Certiport:
Find a location and register for a Certiport Exam
Advanced level IT Professional certification exams are offered through Prometric:
Locate a Prometric Testing Center near you
Register online to take a Prometric Exam
Redeem my voucher for free test preparation
In order to help you better prepare for your certification exam, Microsoft is proving test preparation material. Please follow the links below for further instructions on activating and using your test preparation material.
Intermediate level Windows & Office test prep through Certiprep
Follow the below steps to activate and use your Certiprep test preparation. You can also Review the Certiprep User Guide for additional instructions and assistance:
- On the computer you plan to use for practicing, download the 2x Client here (double click on CertiprepSetup.exe)
- Follow any prompts provided and use the default settings.
- Launch the Certiprep practice tests by double clicking on the desktop icon
- Input your Certiport username and password (On your first login only, you will need to input your 11-digit activation code XXX-XXXX-XXXX)
- Refer to the Certiprep User Guide for additional instructions and troubleshooting help. If you need technical support, please call 888-999-9830 Option 9 between 7am and 8pm CST Monday through Friday.
Advanced level IT Professional test prep through Measure Up
Follow the below steps to activate and use your Certiprep test preparation.
- Go to www.measureup.com If you already have an account, log in to your account, then skip to step 3.
- If you do not have an account, then go to www.measureup.com; Login/Registration, and click my learning locker.
- On the Learning Locker Toolbar, click Register.
- Read and consent to the License Agreement by selecting the check box below the License Agreement.
- Enter the product registration key in the text box. Do not remove any dashes or substitute any numbers.
- Click the Register button to complete practice test registration.
- Click the Locker button on the toolbar.
- Click the Launch button of the product you wish to use and follow the on-screen instructions.
- If message appears “click here to choose your test” click on link and choose a product from the options provided. After making a selection click “Launch”
- If you need technical support, please call 888-999-9830 Option 9 between 7am and 8pm CST Monday through Friday
Elevate America Voucher Program FAQ
Microsoft is partnering with nonprofit organizations across the country to provide $2 million in cash and up to $6 million in software and training curriculum for information technology (IT) skills to provide you with the technology training and support that you need for a successful transition into the civilian workforce. The resources available to you include:
- Career counseling
- Technology skills training
- Other job training resources
- Job placement
- Additional support services (for example, childcare, transportation, and housing)
Each of these organizations and its partners represent a unique program and service model, serving veterans and spouses across the country. To learn more about the resources you can take advantage of, contact our partners directly:
California
- San Diego VetWORKS, Able-Disabled Advocacy, Inc., San Diego, CA
Florida
- Mission: 21st Century (M:21c), Gulf Coast Workforce Board, Panama City, FL, for
Massachusetts
- Veterans Inc. Employment & Training Program, Veterans Inc., Worcester, MA
New York
- Microsoft Veterans Employment Project, Per Scholas INC., New York, NY
North Carolina
- Operation Independence, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont Inc., Charlotte, NC
Washington State
- Project Succeed, Bellevue College, Bellevue, WA
Are you a U.S. military veteran who does not reside in one of these geographies?
Our thanks to The American Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Paralyzed Veterans of America, United Service Organizations (USO), and the Wounded Warrior Project who have served as members of the Elevate America veterans initiative advisory committee.
Elevate America provides the education and training you need to operate computers with confidence—from using the Internet, to sending e-mail, to becoming proficient in Microsoft Office Word and Excel.
The following resources will help you get started building the skills you need to get ahead:
Free Resources
Free Microsoft Office online training
Search for resume and cover letter templates
Free 60 day trial Microsoft Office downloads
Learn Office by playing a game! Play Ribbon Hero
Fine tune your Microsoft Excel skills
Build your Microsoft SharePoint savvy
Additional Resources
