Funding Opportunities
Important note for our applicantS:
The student application portal will be offline from December 13, 2024 through January 2, 2025 for maintenance and upgrades.
During this time, you will be unable to submit an application, upload supporting documents, or accept an award. Please plan to complete your applications and accept any awards prior to the December 13th deadline. The upgraded student application portal will be back online on January 3, 2025 and application reviews will resume in the order they were received at that time.
About LAST MILE’s Awards
Last Mile Education Fund increases diversity in tech by awarding under-represented college students pursuing tech-related degrees and careers.
Awards are available for 2-year & 4-year students enrolled at a U.S. institution. Awards can be used to cover expenses such as a new laptop device, groceries, car repairs, or even an unexpected medical bill.
Awards are available year-round, as funding sources are available and as eligibility requirements are met.
Just in Time Funding to Get You Across the Finish Line
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Specific criteria vary by funding, but typically, last mile supports students who:
Can Demonstrate low-income status, ineligibility for US Federal student aid, or evidence of financial need.
Are experiencing a financial obstacle that is a threat to continued progress toward the completion of a computing degree.
Are currently in pursuit of a computing-related degree or certification in the U.S.: eligible degrees are detailed in specific funds’ webpages.
Are nearing degree completion.
Are currently enrolled in schools in the United States.
Have a US-based email and address are required for payment distribution.
Can submit completed W8 or W9 forms and provide a Social Security Number or an ITIN.
Can share a valid LinkedIn profile with a photo.
THREE AWARD LEVELS for us residents, undocumented, or daca students:
EMERGENCY MINI-Fund
Rapid-response funding to help students overcome short-term obstacles to their academic progress. Awards are up to $595.
BRIDGE Fund
Awards $600 to $4,500 to help juniors and seniors in an undergraduate program or first and second-year students in a master’s program bridge potentially catastrophic financial hurdles such as car repair, medical expense, loss of employment, and required devices or equipment for your major. Bridge grants can also cover up-front costs to access critical career-building opportunities like attending tech conferences, travel and housing to participate in an internship or undergraduate computing research opportunities.
LAST MILE Fund
Awards of up to $10,000 to cover tuition and expenses for the final credits to degree completion. Last Mile awards are only available to students in the final two semesters of their undergraduate studies at an accredited institution. Last Mile awards are only available for students currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program.
TWO AWARD LEVELS for f1 visa students:
EMERGENCY MINI Fund
Rapid-response funding to help students overcome short-term obstacles to their academic progress. Awards are up to $595.
BRIDGE Fund
Awards $600 to $3,000 to help juniors and seniors in an undergraduate program or first and second-year students in a master’s program bridge potentially catastrophic financial hurdles. Due to tax treaty challenges, we are only able to fund qualified educational expenses, paid directly to institutions or third party vendors for a device like a laptop or desktop computer.
Eligible expenses that are paid directly to institutions can include but are not limited to:
Tuition
Health Plans
Parking Decals
Meal Plans
Investor and Partner Funds
The funds listed below are sponsored by our generous partners and investors. Each has unique eligibility requirements and parameters. When you apply for funding in our Caravan portal, you will be matched to available funds using the information you share during the application process. Take care to answer the questions as accurately and completely as possible to ensure you are awarded the maximum funding available to you!
APPLIED MATERIALS MOMENTUM FUND
The Momentum fund aims to advance the semiconductor industry while empowering women engineers through strengthened pathways.
DETROIT AREA TALENT FUND
The Detroit Area Talent Fund invests in degree and credential completion for Metro Detroit residents of all ages who are currently pursuing industry credentials, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees in high-demand STEM fields. The fund aims to close the graduation gaps for under-resourced students, paving the way toward postsecondary degrees and credentials that lead to promising careers in tech and tech-enabled industries.
dow Last mile fund for manufacturing & skilled trades
Emergency support up to $595, Bridge Grants up to $3000, and Last Mile Grants up to $5,000 for manufacturing and skilled trades students nearing program completion in communities near Dow sites.
Last Mile Research Experiences for Undergrads (REUs) fund
Last Mile Education Fund offers supplemental support for undergraduate students from marginalized genders participating in computing-related REUs. Funding is available to students accepted to REUs for summer 2025 and will supplement the stipends offered to students pursuing REUs and ensure total compensation of $10,000 – an amount that will exceed what they would expect to make in a ‘typical’ summer job. This allows students to see REUs as a true opportunity, rather than one in competition with their financial needs.
Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship Program
Scholarships to support community college degree and industry certificate completion through financial assistance up to $500 and subsidies for cybersecurity certification exam costs up to $375. Students also receive access to LinkedIn Premium, GitHub Global Campus, and Global Mentors Initiative.
NYC STEM TALENT FUND
The NYC STEM Talent Fund invests in striving undergraduate STEM students located within the five boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island), focusing on those pursuing math, physics, and neuroscience pathways. The fund aims to close the graduation gap for financially vulnerable, high-potential STEM students, paving the way toward undergraduate degrees and graduate school in the sciences.
Reboot Transfer Success Fund
The Reboot Transfer Success Fund invests in striving Black, Latina, and Native American women transferring from community colleges and accepted into a bachelor's degree program for computing (e.g., computer science, information systems, data science, management information systems, etc.). The Fund aims to invest in high-potential transfer students with financial need, paving the way toward undergraduate computing degrees.
fellowship for indigenous women in tech
Applications Are Closed
The Fellowship For Indigenous Women in Tech aims to increase the number of Indigenous (Native American, Alaskan Native, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders) women earning undergraduate computing degrees in the U.S. by 20% and pave the way to careers in tech for this vastly underrepresented population.
Members of the Partner organizations below have access to Emergency, Bridge, and Last Mile funds especially allocated for them.
Rewriting the code
Rewriting the Code's mission is to disrupt gender and racial inequity in the tech industry by equipping and empowering college and early career women in tech.
Ready to Apply?
Last Mile Education Fund offers students the opportunity to apply to all available funding opportunities using one common application. Through our Caravan platform, you can submit your application and be matched with funds based on your eligibility. The process is simple and easy to follow, and we'll be with you every step of the way.
The first step to applying for funding is setting up a Caravan profile.
Step 1
Create your Caravan Portal profile
After you save your profile in Caravan, you will receive a username via email from grantmaking@lastmile-ed.org. Make sure to write down your credentials before moving on to Step 2.
Step 2
Follow the link sent to your email to set up your application account.
Step 3
Log in to your account to begin the application process. Remember, this is a common application meaning you will only complete one application and you will be matched with funds based on your eligibility.
Step 4
Complete your application.
Click the "Apply" button below to get started with this process. We can't wait to help you get across the finish line and to degree completion.
Investors
Affiliate Partners
We are continuously working to create new funding opportunities. Join our newsletter to receive updates. Interested in investing in emerging tech and engineering talent? Donate or Contact Us.