Why not sign up for Microsoft Bizspark? You'll get $150/mo Azure credit and all the free, licensed Microsoft software you want for three years.The really cool part is that each Bizspark account can have up to 6 subaccounts, and each of those accounts also get the $150/mo credit plus the Microsoft software licenses. So technically you're at $1050/mo in Azure credits if you spread out your usage among the accounts.
Before you apply, you just have to make sure that you create a quick site on your own domain showing that you do development work - grab a WP template and fill in a company name (they will check) and make sure you apply with an email from that domain (they don't accept people using any free email accounts).