Learner FAQs

Per Scholas is a national nonprofit that provides no-cost, accelerated career training to adults looking to build a high growth career – no experience or degree required. We offer courses in fields like IT support, cybersecurity, cloud computing, software engineering, and Salesforce administration, delivered in person, remotely, and hybrid.

We are not accredited at this time. However, thanks to a relationship with Western Governors University, Per Scholas alumni can use their training to receive academic credit toward a WGU degree, as well as discounted tuition.

Yes. Most of our courses integrate AI throughout the curriculum, combining hands-on experience with AI tools and modules covering key concepts, prompting, and real-world applications.

If you are enrolling in a Per Scholas course, some graduates may be hired into apprentice roles with employers who host apprenticeship programs. Additionally, Per Scholas has a registered apprenticeship program where we partner directly with employers to launch registered apprenticeship programs.

Per Scholas offers a variety of courses remotely, in person, or through a hybrid format, with availability depending on your campus and location. Please note that whether remote, in-person, or hybrid, all classes are live and instructor-led, with strict attendance policies. Each course page notes how upcoming cohorts are delivered. For all training with Per Scholas, you must live within the eligible area for that campus, including our National campus. We are unable to provide exceptions to this requirement due to licensing restrictions.

Most of our courses are offered full-time, typically held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, select campuses may offer training outside of this schedule. To view all available training in your area, please visit perscholas.org/locations. Availability for remote training is dependent upon licensing restrictions.

Certification exams are built into the curriculum (typically toward the end of the course), and Per Scholas covers the exam cost. Examples include: AWS Cloud Practitioner (AWS re/Start), CompTIA CySA+ and Splunk Core Certified Power User (Cybersecurity Analyst), CompTIA Security+, Google AI Professional Certificate, and Splunk Core Certified User (Cyberecurity with AI Tools), CompTIA A+ and Google IT Support Professional (IT Support), Salesforce Administrator Certification (Salesforce Administrator), and OSHA 10-Hour/NFPA 70E credentials (Data Center Technician tracks). Not every course is offered at every campus or year-round – see individual course pages for details.

While we may not offer that course at your location at this time, training opportunities with Per Scholas are always evolving. Check your campus's current course offerings often, and consider signing up for our course-update mailing list to ensure you're notified as soon as new courses become available near you. Depending on your location, you may also be eligible for our National campus, which may offer additional training opportunities: perscholas.org/locations/national-remote-training/

In general, learners must: live within the eligible area for a Per Scholas campus (applies to in-person, remote, and hybrid courses); have basic digital literacy; meet our pre-training income policy guidelines; be able to meet attendance requirements for the duration of training (for most courses, this is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday); be 18 or older; have a high school diploma, GED, or higher; provide proof of valid U.S. work authorization; be able to read, write, and speak English; and be ready to launch a tech career immediately after training. Specific requirements vary by course – check the individual course page for details.

You must reside in the United States and have proof of valid U.S. Work authorization to take Per Scholas courses to be eligible for training with Per Scholas. If you're outside the U.S., we're happy to point you toward other organizations that may be able to help, such as Grow with Google, Codecademy, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, Udacity, Thinkful, Dataquest, Revature, LaunchCode, and My Computer Career.

Absolutely. We fully comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other relevant laws. You can learn more about accessibility and accomodations at Per Scholas here: perscholas.org/about-per-scholas/accessibility-at-per-scholas/. Contact [email protected] to discuss your specific situation and needs.

Depending on the campus and course, Per Scholas training is approved for people receiving unemployment, as well as other benefits that would ordinarily require them to spend time working or looking for work. If you reside in a campus that is not approved, your benefits may be impacted by enrolling in our training. To discuss your situation, please connect with your admissions lead.

For our training to remain cost-free and serve the communities our mission intends, enrolled learners must meet our Pre-Training Income Policy requirements. To be eligible for Per Scholas training, an applicant's Individual or Household Income must fall below 80% of the campus-based Area Median Income (AMI), as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). You can read more information here: perscholas.org/pre-training-income-policy/

Possibly. When we assess income eligibility, we look at wages, salary, tips, and other taxable pay earned in the 90 days before you apply, as well as household income and household size. If your application was affected by an income question, reach out to your local admissions team with your current employment status and household details, and they'll help determine your eligibility – typically within 5–7 business days.

Most Per Scholas campuses and courses do not require a background or credit check to enroll. That said, a criminal background can be a limiting factor with some employers after training, so it's worth discussing with your Career Coach once you're enrolled so they can help you prepare.

We'd love to help you get started on your next steps. Because eligibility and course availability varies by location, we recommend reaching out to your nearest Per Scholas campus to discuss your options. Once you're released, you can complete our eligibility form to begin the admissions process.

Yes. If you aren't accepted into a course, you are welcome to apply for training again in the future. For some Admissions Decisions, you may be asked to wait a specific time period prior to beginning a new application. If you were not accepted into training previously and have questions regarding your eligibility, please reconnect with your admissions team for support.

For courses tied to a physical campus – whether delivered remotely or in person – you'll need to live within an eligible distance of that campus (generally within about one hour, though some campuses have specific rules – for example, New York City campus requires learners to live in one of the five boroughs or Long Island, and Los Angeles courses are limited to Los Angeles County). Our National campus offers courses in many states across of the U.S. – see our National campus page for current eligibility by state. Due to licensing restrictions, we are unable to offer exceptions to our residency requirements.

As a state-licensed training provider, we're subject to state-specific education licensing requirements. We're working to expand National Remote training to all 50 states, but we're not yet approved to train learners in every state. Check back – these restrictions can change over time.

No. Due to federal and state regulations, you may only participate in our programs while physically located in the United States.

Currently, Per Scholas is a GI Bill® approved provider in New York, Ohio (specifically Cincinnati), North Carolina, and Texas (specifically Dallas). We are in the process of gaining approval at additional campuses and will update this information as new locations are approved.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available on the official U.S. government website.

Browse our courses to find the right fit, then click "Get Started" on the course page to begin your application, or apply directly on our application page. If eligible, you will be invited to complete our multi-step admissions process.

After you submit an online application, you'll receive an email with a link to a mandatory Admissions Overview covering the assessment, interview, possible pre-work, and next steps. Each course requires an academic assessment, a tech assessment, or both. If you meet the score requirements, you'll be invited to a behavioral interview by email. Our admissions team then reviews assessment scores and interview results and offers seats to eligible candidates.

Your next step is to watch your campus-specific Admissions Overview.

If you submitted an eligibility form, you should have received next steps by email. Please check your spam and promotions folders first, since these emails sometimes land there. Still can't find it? Contact us and we'll help you track it down.

To enroll, you'll need to provide documented proof of eligibility in five categories: Proof of Social Security (e.g., Social Security card, W-2, SSA-1099); Proof of Eligibility to Work in the U.S. (one or two documents establishing identity and work authorization, per I-9 guidelines); Proof of Age (must be 18+; driver's license, birth certificate, or passport); Proof of Address (must be a U.S. residential address, not a P.O. box); Proof of Education (high school diploma, GED, or higher – foreign credentials require a degree evaluation); and Proof of Income (recent pay stubs, benefit statements, or a Letter of Support/Self-Attestation if you have no current income). See our full document checklist for the complete list of accepted forms.

Our work authorization policy keeps us compliant with U.S. employment law and helps ensure you're positioned to be hired immediately after training. While Per Scholas learners aren't technically our employees, we're treated as an employment agency for admissions purposes, which means we follow the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), EEOC rules, and federal civil rights laws like Title VII and the ADA. To meet these requirements and give you enough runway to land a job, your proof of work authorization must remain valid for at least 6 months after graduation.

Yes. All requested documentation, including proof of Social Security, is required for enrollment. These documents confirm your eligibility and support the funding that keeps our training free for learners.

Only a small, specific group of Per Scholas staff can view the documents you upload, and they use that information solely to confirm program eligibility and funding compliance. Your data is encrypted using AES 256-bit encryption with CBC mode and stored securely on Salesforce, including Salesforce Shield's Platform Encryption, Event Monitoring, and Field Audit Trail tools for added protection.

To protect applicant privacy, we can't discuss an applicant's status, enrollment, or training participation with anyone other than the applicant themselves – everyone must manage their own application with their own email address. The one exception is a documented ADA accommodation request; in that case, please have the applicant email [email protected] directly.

Of course! Contact us and let us know your availability and best number to reach you, and we'll set up a time to talk.

Per Scholas does not pay learners to attend training, but our Learner Support Team – including your Learner Support Manager and Financial Coach – can help you find outside resources to cover living expenses like housing, utilities, food, or childcare. Eligible full-time learners in select courses can also apply for a Zero Percent Loan through Ascent to help cover personal expenses during training. View Financial Resources

Attendance is critical to meeting academic requirements and completing training successfully. Many of our courses are held full-time, and require attendace Monday–Friday, typically 9am–4pm. Other, more flexible, training options may be available at certain campuses. All training opportunities include live instruction, and learners are required to be present and participating, whether training is offered remotely, in-person, or in a hybrid format. You can view our standard Attendance Policy here: perscholas.org/attendance-policy/

Schedules vary by course delivery and duration. Full-time courses run about 8 hours a day, and we recommend setting aside an additional 15–20 hours a week for independent study. Other, more flexible, training options may be available at certain campuses. Please refer to the course schedule on each course page for additional information.

Learners are required to maintain a 70% exam average, including a passing score on the Job Readiness Assessment. If you're struggling to meet that average, mandatory tutoring sessions are provided to help bring your grades up before any dismissal from the program.

Visit our in-depth Kick-Off FAQ page for detailed information on what to expect as your course start date approaches.

You'll receive an email with detailed first-day information no later than the Friday before Day 1 of your course.

You can find your class Zoom link under the "Zoom" menu option in the side menu bar of Canvas. If you still can't locate it, reach out to your instructional support team for help.

Email [email protected] with a screenshot of the error, and our team will help you resolve it.

Yes – we ask that you wait at least two years after graduation before applying to another full course, so you have time to gain real-world experience first. In the meantime, alumni have access to upskilling opportunities like self-paced classes, evening and weekend instructor-led classes, and skill-focused micro-cohorts.

We evaluate every candidate's tech needs individually during admissions, based on the specific requirements of their course track. If you don't have the right equipment, we have a limited supply of loaner devices available – just raise your situation with your admissions team early in the process.

National Remote learners are required to have their own computer that meets our minimum specifications. Review the full requirements before you apply.

Minimum computer requirements and their effects on your eligibility will vary by course and campus. You can view more information on our equipment requirements -- and available support -- at perscholas.org/remote-tech-spec/

No. You can complete all course requirements without spending any money. Some lessons reference optional third-party tools with paid features, but purchasing them is never required to finish a lab or meet course requirements.

If you don't have compatible technology at home, we recommend using a public computer at a local library or community center. Your admissions specialist can also point you toward preferred tech-access partners in your area, if your campus has one.

Our Learner Support and Career Services teams actively support you throughout your job search – providing the resources, guidance, and opportunities to help you secure meaningful employment. Combined with your own proactive effort, this support sets you up for success in your new tech career.

No. You're not required to work for any of our employer partners after training. Some courses sponsored by a specific employer may ask learners to be open to opportunities with that partner, but there's no required employment commitment.

Our Career Services team works with you on resume building, interview preparation, and connecting with our employer partner network, so you're ready to launch your tech career as soon as you graduate.

Yes – after waiting two years post-graduation, you're welcome to apply for another full Per Scholas course. In the meantime, you have access to alumni-only upskilling courses through our Career Accelerator program.

Our alumni referral program recognizes and rewards graduates who refer future applicants and enrollees – there's no cap on how many referrals you can be rewarded for.

Contact us with the name of the graduate you're screening, and we'll connect you with the right campus contact to complete your education verification request.

Visit our Career Accelerator website for the full list of resources, or email [email protected] with any questions about services or support for Per Scholas alumni.

Per Scholas is committed to providing equal opportunity in admissions and training without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or other protected status. Read our full non-discrimination policy for details.

We take data privacy seriously. Only a small group of authorized staff can access the documents and information you submit, and that data is protected using strong encryption (AES 256-bit with CBC mode) and stored securely in Salesforce, including Salesforce Shield's advanced security, compliance, and monitoring tools. Read our full PII policy for details.

When a learner enrolls in a Per Scholas course, they agree to share personal information, including their name, age, date of birth, race, social security number, income, employment status, resume, and address. This information is shared with authorized organizations for the following reasons:

• To assist them in finding employment.
• To meet reporting requirements for funding organizations.
• To respond to government agency requests.
• To conduct research aimed at improving PS programs.
• To secure additional funding for services.
• To provide requested services.

For employment verification requests regarding a current or former Per Scholas staff member, contact our People Team at [email protected] and they'll complete your request directly.

You can find our full Terms & Conditions and Donor Privacy Policy in the footer of any page on our site.

We're happy to help. Contact our team with any general questions, or reach out directly to an admissions team member if your question is about applying or enrolling.

Of course. We'd love to keep in touch – you can sign up for our Learner Link newsletter to get monthly updates on course offerings at your campus, and revisit this page anytime you're ready to take the next step.