If you’re ready to grow your skills but worried about the cost, you’re not alone. Investing in your career doesn’t have to mean paying for everything yourself.

Many companies are willing — and even eager — to sponsor employee education, training programs, or professional development opportunities.

You just have to know how to get your employer to pay for your education or professional development — and how to confidently make the case.

Whether you’re pursuing an online certificate, a professional certification, or a specialized skills course, here’s your step-by-step guide to securing employer support for your growth.

A guide to discussing the payment of professional development with your company 

1. Research your program — and your company's education benefits

Before approaching your manager or HR team, come prepared. Start by gathering key details about the course you want to take:

  • What skills will you learn?
  • How much does it cost?
  • Is it self-paced, live, or hybrid?
  • How will it fit into your current work schedule?

At the same time, check if your employer already offers education benefits like:

  • Professional development stipends
  • Tuition reimbursement programs
  • Learning and development budgets

You might find that your company already has a policy in place to support continuing education — which can make your request even easier to approve! Coming prepared shows you’re serious — and makes it easier for your manager to say yes. Review your employee handbook, HR portal or intranet for details, and be ready to reference any programs when you present your case.

2. Frame it as a win-win for the company

If you’re wondering how to ask your employer to pay for professional development successfully, the key is to focus on what’s in it for them.

Explain how your new skills will:

  • Improve team performance
  • Solve business challenges
  • Create new opportunities for the company
  • Strengthen leadership within your department

To make your case even stronger, where possible, tie your growth to specific company goals, KPIs or priorities.

Example:

"With this data analytics certificate, I’ll be able to build more accurate dashboards, helping our team make faster and better data-driven decisions."

And if you’re not sure how to start the conversation, we’ve made it easier — you'll find a free email template at the bottom of this page to help you confidently ask your employer for support!

3. Pick the right time to make your tequest

Timing can make all the difference.

Here are smart moments to bring it up:

  • During annual performance reviews
  • Ahead of the new fiscal year (when budgets refresh)
  • After achieving a major team or project milestone

Linking your ask to your past contributions and future goals will strengthen your case.

4. Be specific when you ask

Vague requests are easy to ignore.

When requesting professional development support, be clear about:

  • What course or program you want to take
  • How much it costs
  • How it fits your schedule
  • Why it’s valuable to your role and the company

Offer to provide additional information and emphasize that you’re committed to applying what you learn back into your work.

5. Prepare for common questions

Be ready to answer things like:

  • How much time will this require outside of work hours?
  • Will it affect your ability to meet deadlines?
  • Are there lower-cost alternatives?

Having answers ready will show you’ve thought through all angles.

Final thoughts: professional growth is a win for everyone

If you’ve been wondering how to get your employer to pay for your education or professional development, remember: asking for support isn’t just about you.

It’s about investing in stronger teams, better outcomes, and the future success of your organization.

You deserve to keep growing — and your company can be part of that journey! Don’t be afraid to advocate for your development — your initiative today can open doors for your future.

If you're ready to take the next step, ASU CareerCatalyst offers a wide range of flexible, online certificates and courses designed to help you build in-demand skills and advance your career. Whether you're looking to strengthen your leadership abilities, dive into data analytics, sharpen your project management skills, or explore another growing field, we have a program to help you reach your goals.

Explore ASU CareerCatalyst programs today and find the course that will help you take your career to the next level!

Free email template to ask your employer to pay for your education or professional development

Writing the first email can feel intimidating — so we created a professional, customizable email template you can use! Feel free to personalize the message based on your relationship with your manager and your team’s goals.

Subject: Request for Professional Development Sponsorship

Hi [Manager's Name],

I hope you're doing well!

I’d love to request support for a professional development opportunity that aligns closely with my role and our team’s goals. I’m interested in enrolling in [Course Name] offered by [Provider Name], which focuses on [brief skillset or area, like data analytics, project management, leadership].

The program costs [cost] and is [online/self-paced/hybrid], meaning I’ll be able to complete it without disrupting my work responsibilities.

I believe the skills I’ll gain will directly benefit our team by [specific benefits — improving workflows, driving innovation, solving business challenges], and I’d be happy to share what I learn with the team once I complete it.

Would it be possible for the company to sponsor this opportunity? I'm happy to answer any questions or provide more information!

Thank you so much for considering my request.

Best,

[Your Name]