Funding Your Future: Smart Tips for Paying for Virtual Assistant Courses

Let’s be honest. One of the most common things I hear from aspiring Virtual Assistants is this: “I’d love to take your course, but I just can’t afford it.”

If that’s you, I hear you. Life expenses are real. Groceries don’t magically walk themselves into the kitchen, and Netflix still wants their monthly fee. But here’s the truth: the skills you build today are the very thing that make tomorrow’s success possible.

Investing in yourself isn’t about spending money you don’t have. It’s about finding creative ways to make education possible so you can start earning the kind of income that feels freeing instead of limiting.

So today, I’m going to share five smart, doable, sometimes even fun ways to pay for the course you’ve been eyeing. And no, I won’t tell you to sell a kidney. We’re going for practical here.

Online Learning: The Fast Track to Becoming a Virtual Assistant

Here’s the deal. Online learning isn’t just a trend. It’s a global shift. The eLearning market is projected to hit $399 billion by 2025 (source). That’s not just a number with a lot of zeros, it’s proof that people all over the world are turning to online courses to get the skills they need.

And it’s not just college-style courses anymore. You can find a program on almost anything: email marketing, graphic design, bookkeeping, or even how to keep your houseplants alive (if only I had taken that one sooner).

For Virtual Assistants, the right course can give you a fast track into a career where you don’t have to figure it all out from scratch. Sure, some courses can cost $1,000 or more, but instead of focusing on that big scary number, think about what comes after: your very first client, your very first paycheck, and the freedom that starts to build.

Why Reinvesting in Yourself is Non-Negotiable as a Virtual Assistant

Every professional career requires ongoing training. Teachers go to workshops. Nurses renew certifications. Even hairstylists take continuing education to keep up with the latest cuts and colors.

Virtual Assistants? We’re no different. Digital platforms change constantly, and if you want to stand out, you need to stay current. Think about it. What Instagram looked like three years ago versus today feels like two different planets.

More people are entering the VA industry every day, which is exciting, but it also means niching down and having standout skills is more important than ever. The beauty of online work is that you don’t need permission to grow. You just need to choose to reinvest in yourself.

I can tell you from experience: the money that I invested in myself for my business through training courses has been returned to me 100-fold.

How Courses Help Virtual Assistants Build Profitable Skills

Here’s a little secret. Clients want to hire VAs who know what they’re doing. That doesn’t mean you need to know everything (spoiler: nobody does), but it does mean that taking a course gives you an edge over someone who is just winging it.

And while free resources exist, like Facebook groups, masterclasses, and YouTube rabbit holes, you can only get so far without structure. A good course takes you by the hand and says, “Here’s the order, here’s the plan, now let’s do this.”

The bottom line is that you’ve got to invest in yourself, both in time and in money. And please, don’t become a “course hoarder.” You know, the person who buys every shiny program but never actually finishes them. The real return on investment comes from taking action, not just collecting logins.

Understanding ROI: Will a Virtual Assistant Course Really Pay Off?

I know what you’re thinking: “But Deirdre, will I actually make my money back?”

Great question. Here’s how you know a course is worth it:

• It helps you reach a specific goal
• It’s taught by an instructor who does the work, not just talks about it
• It’s updated and relevant to today, not something pulled from 2014

But here’s the bigger question: will you take action? Because if you do, the ROI can come shockingly fast. I’ve seen students land paying clients before they even finished their final module.

Let’s put it in perspective. Say you take a course for $1,000. Your hourly VA rate is $30. That means in about 34 hours of client work, less than a whole week for some VAs, you’ve paid off your course. Everything after that is pure growth.

Investment Mindset vs Expense Mindset for Virtual Assistants

This is where we shift the way you think.

An expense mindset looks at a course and says, “Ugh, that’s too much. I can’t afford it.”

An investment mindset looks at the same course and says, “This is how I’m going to earn more, get better clients, and grow faster.”

See the difference? It’s not just about money. It’s about the story you’re telling yourself. Expense thinking keeps you stuck. Investment thinking moves you forward.

Smart business owners know that training is part of the plan, not a luxury. And if you want to build a business, guess what? You’re a business owner now.

5 Practical Ways to Fund Your Virtual Assistant Training

Okay, let’s get to the good stuff. How do you pay for a course when your wallet is giving you side-eye? Here are five creative, doable ways.

1. Get a Sponsor to Cover Your Training

If you already have a client, or you’re in talks with a potential one, ask them to sponsor part of your training. Yep, really.

Here’s how you pitch it: “If I take this course, I’ll learn skills that directly benefit your business. Would you consider covering part of the cost in exchange for me applying those skills right away?”

Clients love this because they’re investing in someone they already trust, and you gain skills while strengthening your partnership. Win-win.

2. Look for Tuition Assistance Programs

Some programs (including mine!) offer tuition assistance. This isn’t just for college students. Online courses for Virtual Assistants are making education more accessible by giving payment support where it’s needed.

In my case, I offer tuition assistance because I don’t want money to be the reason you don’t move forward. If you’re serious about starting your VA career, ask about it.

3. Gather Extra Cash from Everyday Sources

Sometimes, the simplest way is the old-fashioned way: save up. But let’s make it fun.

• Sell unused items around the house. That treadmill you bought in 2018 that’s now a laundry rack? Gone
• Host a garage sale
• Use cashback apps and credit card rewards
• Pick up some side hustles: babysitting, pet sitting, running concessions, food delivery

Even small amounts add up. Ten bucks here, twenty bucks there, and suddenly you’ve got course money without touching your regular budget.

4. Take Advantage of Payment Plans

Many courses (mine included) let you break the total cost into smaller payments. That way, instead of one giant gulp, you’re spreading it out.

And if you’re actively working on building your VA business, chances are those new skills will help you earn enough to cover each payment as you go.

5. Pre-Sell Your Services and Line Up Clients Early

This is a fun one. Before you even start the course, go ahead and line up a couple of clients. Be transparent. Tell them you’re taking a course to build new skills, but in the meantime, you’re ready to support them with what you already know.

I’ve seen VAs pre-sell services this way. They book a client, start the course, and then apply everything they’re learning in real time. Think of it as getting paid to practice.

Moving Forward with Confidence in Your VA Career

Here’s the truth. Money should never be the wall that keeps you from stepping into your future. The most successful Virtual Assistants I know didn’t wait for everything to be perfect. They invested, learned, and then got out there and made it happen.

For me, investing in courses was a turning point. It gave me the confidence, the skills, and the momentum to build a business I love. And I want that for you, too.

So if you’re sitting there thinking, “I want this, but I don’t know how to pay for it,” take one of these five options and run with it. The right course won’t just pay for itself. It will pay you back in ways you can’t even imagine yet.

And if you’re ready, I’d love for you to join me inside my Virtual Assistant Mastery program. Let’s build something amazing together.

Hi, I’m Deirdre Barnes, founder of Atypical Business LLC and creator of Virtual Assistant Mastery. Since 2006, I’ve been helping women build Virtual Assistant businesses that give them freedom, flexibility, and financial independence.

I’ve trained and mentored women from all walks of life: moms, teachers, retirees, and professionals ready for a new chapter. My mission is simple. To support women in building strong, sustainable careers through practical skills and ongoing mentorship.

When I’m not coaching or writing courses, you’ll probably find me kayaking, practicing yoga, or laughing way too hard at memes that I send to my sister and daughter.