Is the program conducted in person or online?
The program is 100% virtual. All coursework, practice labs, live info sessions, and certification exams are completed online from anywhere in the U.S.

How many participants are accepted into each cohort?
Each cohort accepts between 250 to 500 learners to ensure a dedicated, high-impact learning environment.

Do I need to pay anything out of pocket?
No. The grant covers 100% of your access to the Okta On-Demand Course Catalog, 1 Premier Practice Exam voucher, and 1 Official Certification Exam voucher.

Who is eligible to apply for this grant program? To be eligible for the program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Residency & Employer: Applicants must currently reside in the U.S. and have worked for a U.S.-based employer while residing in the U.S.
• General Employment Status: Applicants must be unemployed or employed part-time at the time of application. Individuals currently employed full-time are not eligible.
• Veterans & Military (Veteran) Spouses: Must be unemployed or transitioning from the military.
• Cybersecurity Students & Alumni: Students must be currently enrolled in a cybersecurity training or education program at the time of application. Alumni who are unemployed or working part-time are also eligible to apply.

Who is not eligible for this Program? (i) Employees of Okta, Inc.; (ii) the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, and children) and household members of those employees; and (iii) current employees or officials of any government entity and their immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, and children) are not eligible for this Program.

Do I need to be currently enrolled in college or hold an IT job title?
No. While a foundational technical background (coursework, self-directed study, lab experience, or tech projects) is necessary, you do not need to be actively enrolled in college or currently employed in tech.

If I am not accepted, can I re-apply for a future cohort?
Yes. Applicants who are not selected are encouraged to re-apply for subsequent cohort cycles as future application windows open.

Applicants must currently reside in the United States, and must have recently worked for a U.S.-based employer while residing in the U.S.
Applicants must have recently worked in an information technology or software development role.
Applicants must have had their employment terminated after May 31, 2022 and continue to be unemployed at the time the applicant submits the online application.- The subscription access through the grant expires after 90 days, and there are no exceptions to this policy.

- Vouchers must be used within 90 days from the start of the grant.

- Once the grant has expired, a second grant will not be awarded under any circumstances.

How does Okta review applications and select participants?
Every application is directly reviewed by the Okta team. We evaluate your written responses, technical background, and motivation to assess your overall readiness for the intensive curriculum. Our team is committed to conducting a thorough, fair, and equitable review process for every applicant.

Are there information sessions where I can learn more before applying?
Yes. We will host 2 live virtual information sessions. These sessions give you an opportunity to meet the team, review pathway options, ask questions, and learn how to submit a strong application before the submission deadline. You can register for the information session of your choice below:

• September 10: Information Session #1 @1pm PT/4pm ET. Register here!

• September 14: Information Session #2 @8am PT/11am ET. Register here!

When will I know if I was accepted?
Applicants will receive their decision notification within 10-14 business days after applications close on September 16th. 

Applicants must currently reside in the United States, and must have recently worked for a U.S.-based employer while residing in the U.S.
Applicants must have recently worked in an information technology or software development role.
Applicants must have had their employment terminated after May 31, 2022 and continue to be unemployed at the time the applicant submits the online application.- The subscription access through the grant expires after 90 days, and there are no exceptions to this policy.

- Vouchers must be used within 90 days from the start of the grant.

- Once the grant has expired, a second grant will not be awarded under any circumstances.

What learning materials and resources are included in the grant package?
Recipients receive full access to Okta’s official on-demand course catalog for their chosen pathway, live hands-on sandbox lab environments, 1 Premier Practice Exam voucher, 1 Official Certification Exam voucher, and entry into a private cohort community.

Is there a community or networking component with other participants, alumni, and experts?
Yes! You will gain exclusive access to a private LinkedIn group created specifically for your cohort. This space allows you to collaborate with fellow learners, network with program alumni, and connect directly with Okta experts and industry professionals who can share insights and guidance throughout your career journey.

Do I get access to real-world environments for hands-on practice?
Yes. You will receive access to dedicated, live Okta or Auth0 practice sandboxes. These environments allow you to configure real identity workflows and write code, helping you build practical skills for the performance-based exam.

Is there live support or guidance available during the 90 days?
While the coursework is primarily self-paced, you will be part of a cohort community of 250–500 peers, attend a mandatory live virtual kickoff, engage with Okta experts, and have access to scheduled live cohort check-in sessions throughout the 90 days. For any additional questions or support needs, you can reach out to our dedicated support inbox at whatsnext@okta.com.

Are study guides or practice tests provided before taking the actual exam?
Yes. The grant includes both 1 Premier Practice Exam voucher and access to free practice exams. These resources mirror the real exam environment and help you gauge your readiness before using your official certification voucher.

Applicants must currently reside in the United States, and must have recently worked for a U.S.-based employer while residing in the U.S.
Applicants must have recently worked in an information technology or software development role.
Applicants must have had their employment terminated after May 31, 2022 and continue to be unemployed at the time the applicant submits the online application.- The subscription access through the grant expires after 90 days, and there are no exceptions to this policy.

- Vouchers must be used within 90 days from the start of the grant.

- Once the grant has expired, a second grant will not be awarded under any circumstances.

Is the Kickoff Meeting mandatory?
Yes. All accepted participants must attend the mandatory live virtual Kickoff Meeting on October 7th at 1pm ET to meet the cohort, review program milestones, and formally activate your 90-day grant subscription.

How much time should I expect to dedicate each week?
You should plan to spend roughly 10 to 20 hours per week on self-paced coursework, hands-on lab exercises, and practice exams to stay on track during the 90-day window.

How long does the grant subscription last?
Your Okta Learning Grant Subscription is active for exactly 90 days starting on your official launch date (October 7th for Cohort 1).

Can I get an extension on my subscription or exam vouchers?
No. Grant access and exam vouchers strictly expire at the end of your 90-day window. There are no extensions or second grants awarded under any circumstances.

What technical equipment or system requirements do I need?
You will need a personal computer (Mac/PC) with administrative rights to download the required Guardian Browser, a reliable high-speed internet connection, an up-to-date web browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Safari), and a working webcam and microphone for live cohort sessions and the online-proctored exam.

Applicants must currently reside in the United States, and must have recently worked for a U.S.-based employer while residing in the U.S.
Applicants must have recently worked in an information technology or software development role.
Applicants must have had their employment terminated after May 31, 2022 and continue to be unemployed at the time the applicant submits the online application.- The subscription access through the grant expires after 90 days, and there are no exceptions to this policy.

- Vouchers must be used within 90 days from the start of the grant.

- Once the grant has expired, a second grant will not be awarded under any circumstances.

Can I change my certification track after I apply?
No. Due to voucher allocation and cohort tracking, your pathway selection (Okta Certified Professional or Auth0 Certified Developer) is final once your application is submitted.

How are the certification exams formatted?
Both exams are hands-on, performance-based tests proctored online via ProctorU. You will complete practical tasks in a live Okta Admin Console or configure code within an Auth0 tenant.

What happens if I do not pass the exam on my first attempt?
The grant covers one official exam voucher. If a retake is needed, participants can purchase an additional voucher directly through Okta for $100. Please note that retakes are not funded by the grant.

What happens after I earn my certification?
Once you pass your exam, you will receive an official digital badge through Credly that you can share on LinkedIn and your resume. You will also join Okta's directory of certified professionals. Certifications are valid for 2 years from the date you pass. Before the expiration date, you must take and pass a maintenance exam to remain certified. The maintenance exam costs $100, provides 2 attempts, and is not proctored. For clarity, Okta will not cover the costs of the maintenance exam.

Does completing this program guarantee employment with Okta?
No. This grant provides training and industry certification vouchers to enhance your career prospects, but it does not guarantee or entitle recipients to employment with Okta, Inc. or its partners.

Applicants must currently reside in the United States, and must have recently worked for a U.S.-based employer while residing in the U.S.
Applicants must have recently worked in an information technology or software development role.
Applicants must have had their employment terminated after May 31, 2022 and continue to be unemployed at the time the applicant submits the online application.- The subscription access through the grant expires after 90 days, and there are no exceptions to this policy.

- Vouchers must be used within 90 days from the start of the grant.

- Once the grant has expired, a second grant will not be awarded under any circumstances.

Applicants must currently reside in the United States, and must have recently worked for a U.S.-based employer while residing in the U.S.
Applicants must have recently worked in an information technology or software development role.
Applicants must have had their employment terminated after May 31, 2022 and continue to be unemployed at the time the applicant submits the online application.- The subscription access through the grant expires after 90 days, and there are no exceptions to this policy.

- Vouchers must be used within 90 days from the start of the grant.

- Once the grant has expired, a second grant will not be awarded under any circumstances.

Applicants must currently reside in the United States, and must have recently worked for a U.S.-based employer while residing in the U.S.
Applicants must have recently worked in an information technology or software development role.
Applicants must have had their employment terminated after May 31, 2022 and continue to be unemployed at the time the applicant submits the online application.- The subscription access through the grant expires after 90 days, and there are no exceptions to this policy.

- Vouchers must be used within 90 days from the start of the grant.

- Once the grant has expired, a second grant will not be awarded under any circumstances.