FAQ
ELIGIBILITY
Who is eligible for Last Mile funding?
Our awards are designed for financially vulnerable students in the final stages of their academic journey.
We are aggregating funding from as many sources as possible and encourage all students pursuing high-demand STEM degrees with financial need to apply. We also offer specific opportunities available through our Investor and Partner Funds detailed on the Apply Page.
In general, Last Mile supports students who are:
Residing and attending school in the United States.
Within four semesters of attaining a degree or nearing certification completion; funding is available for 2-year, 4-year, and graduate students.
Able to provide evidence of financial need.
Experiencing a financial obstacle to continued progress toward the completion of an eligible degree.
Actively enrolled in a U.S. institution of higher education.
In pursuit of a degree or certification in a high-demand STEM field (computing, engineering, technology, cybersecurity, data science, etc.) Eligibility varies by funding source.
Able to complete a W8 or W9 form and provide a Social Security Number or an ITIN.
Able to provide a valid LinkedIn profile with a photo.
Able to provide a U.S.-based email and mailing address (required for award disbursement).
Please note: eligible majors vary by currently available Investor & Parner funds. Click on the “Learn More” button under each fund on the Apply Page.
what majors are eligible?
Awards focus on computing-related fields such as Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and other high-demand STEM majors. Click on the “Learn More” button below each Investor & Partner Fund on the Apply Page for fund-specific eligibility.
NOTE: the Last Mile Caravan Portal provides access to our single sign-on common application portal, where we assess your eligibility and match you to available funding and support opportunities: there is no unique application link specific to a certain fund. We encourage you to include specific areas of study and/or adjacent interests (such as cybersecurity, physics, etc.) in your application. Majors, minors and areas of concentration are considered. Each applicant will be considered for all funds for which they are eligible.
am i eligible for funding as a first-year student or sophomore?
Yes and no.
Some of our awards are open to students at all grade levels. However, our primary focus is students in their ‘last mile’ to a degree. Larger awards, like the Bridge and Last Mile Funds, are designed to support students within their final four semesters of undergraduate or graduate degree completion.
The Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship Program is open to all U.S. community college students pursuing a certificate, associate or bachelor's degree in cybersecurity or cyber-adjacent degrees such as information technology, computer science, information technology, network engineer, data systems, etc. Students also receive access to LinkedIn Premium, GitHub Global Campus, and Global Mentors Initiative. Be sure to mention your cybersecurity courses or studies in your application narrative if in an adjacent major.
We do accept dual enrollment for high school students also attending community college; however, all applicants must be at least 18 years of age to qualify for any funding from Last Mile Education Fund.
as a junior, can i apply to have my future expenses paid for until graduation?
When applying for a Last Mile or Bridge Fund, we consider past balances owed; however, we only fund tuition, rent, expenses, etc., for the current term.
are graduate students eligible?
Some funds are open to graduate students, and new funds are being added frequently, so join our social media channels and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with announcements about new opportunities.
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do i have to live in the u.s.?
We cannot disburse funds internationally, so you must be attending an institution in the US and have a US-based mailing address and bank account.
what if i am an f1 visa student? am i eligible to receive funding?
Yes! Last Mile is uniquely positioned to proudly fund international students in tech pathways.
Students who hold F1 Visas and are able to provide ITINs are eligible for up to $3000 over the course of their education, helping juniors and seniors in an undergraduate program or first and second-year students in a master’s program bridge potentially catastrophic financial hurdles.
Emergency Fund: One award per tax year (Jan-Dec) can be paid directly to an F1 Visa student.
Bridge Fund: Due to Federal rules, we are only able to fund F1 Visa students for qualified educational expenses paid directly to institutions or paid directly to third-party vendors for devices like laptops or desktop computers. Eligible expenses that are paid directly to institutions can include but are not limited to:
Tuition
Health Plans
Parking Decals
Meal Plans
APPLICATION
WHEN SHOULD I APPLY FOR FUNDING?
We recommend that you apply 1-2 months before you need the funding when possible. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so do apply any time to be matched to funding you are eligible for.
HOW CAN I APPLY FOR A SPECIFIC INVESTOR OR PARTNER FUND?
The Last Mile Caravan Portal provides access to our single sign-on common application portal, where we assess your eligibility and match you to available funding and support opportunities: there is no unique application link specific to a certain fund.
We encourage you to include specific areas of study and/or adjacent interests (such as cybersecurity, physics, etc.) in your application. Each applicant will be considered for all funds for which they are eligible.
DO I HAVE TO HAVE A LINKEDIN ACCOUNT?
We use your LinkedIn account to verify your identity as a student, and we require your LinkedIn to have a personal photo. You can use another professional profile, such as GitHub or a personal web page; however, it is highly recommended that all students pursuing careers in technology set up and maintain a LinkedIn profile, as this can will help with future employment prospects. All recipients are invited to join the Last Mile alumni group on LinkedIn where we share opportunities from our partners.
IS A TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED FOR MY APPLICATION?
Yes. Every application requires a full transcript showing your name, the institution name, your major, and the current academic semester. In addition, if you are enrolled in a boot camp or industry certification, you must show proof of enrollment with your name, the program's name, and the program's date(s). Without this information, your application will be declined. Providing a transcript in PDF format will speed up application processing time.
can I submit an unofficial transcript?
Yes.
what if i cannot get a transcript because there is a hold on my account?
Call your financial aid office or bursar and let them know you are applying for funding to pay off your school bill and that you must provide an unofficial transcript. 9 out of 10 times, the schools will release that to you.
can i send videos or pictures of our transcripts and bills?
No videos are accepted. Pictures are strongly discouraged, as they will cause a significant delay in reviewing your application. We prefer that all documents are sent as PDFs.
can i apply more than once?
You are welcome to apply more than once. However, the Last Mile Education Fund is meant to be a source of gap funding and not an alternative to securing other sources of funding, i.e., student loans, financial aid, employment, etc.
what is the status of my application?
You can track the status of your application anytime in the student portal under "Application History." In the meantime, please ensure that your LinkedIn profile includes a clear photo and valid URL.
A gentle reminder that we are a small team, and we process hundreds of applications each month. Inquiries directed to staff or board members directly either via email or social media slow down our processing time and will not receive a response.
FUNDING & DISBURSEMENT
WHAT TYPE OF FUNDING IS AVAILABLE?
FOR U.S. RESIDENTS:
Emergency Fund: up to $595
Bridge Fund: $600-$4,500 (only for juniors and seniors in undergraduate or graduate school)
Last Mile Fund: Up to $10,000 (only for seniors in undergraduate programs)
Industry Certification Exams (this is specific to the Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship Program only)
FOR F1 VISA STUDENTS:
Emergency Fund: up to $595
Bridge Fund: $600-$3,000 (only for juniors and seniors in undergraduate or graduate school)
WHAT KIND OF EXPENSES DOES LAST MILE FUND?
The Last Mile Education Fund is designed to fill gaps in financial support for financially vulnerable students. It is not a substitute for institution-based financial aid, student loans, working or scholarships. We provide support for expenses not covered by traditional scholarships or aid and shortfalls due to loss of work. This may include but is not limited to tuition, books, rent, car repairs, utility bills, groceries, conference attendance and travel expenses, healthcare, and technology.
IS FUNDING INTENDED TO COVER HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES FOR OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS OR DEPENDENTS?
We understand that applicants often have other family members/dependents for whom they are financially responsible; however, we can only fund students who are actively enrolled in an eligible degree program and Last Mile cannot pay for other dependents’ expenses.
HOW DOES MY FUNDING FOR TUITION GET DISBURSED?
If we have approved you for tuition, it is paid directly to your institution, and we can only pay tuition if there is a balance in your school account greater than or equal to the amount awarded. If your school account shows that your balance has been paid, we are not able to process your award for tuition, redirect it to other expenses or carry it forward to another term.
WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF FUNDING I CAN RECEIVE FROM LAST MILE?
There are different maximums allowed based on your collegiate level, but students pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree cannot exceed $10,000 in funding over a lifetime.
WHAT IS THE STATUS OF MY DISBURSEMENT?
You can track the status of your award disbursement anytime in the student portal under "Application History." Please note: the fund disbursement process from start to finish can take ten (10) business days from the time you accept your award. In the meantime, please ensure all required documentation is uploaded to your student portal.
A gentle reminder that we are a small team, and we process hundreds of awards each month. Inquiries directed to staff or board members directly either via email or social media slow down our processing time and will not receive a response.
LOANS & TAXES
IS THIS A LOAN?
You are a great investment! Last Mile Education Fund and its partner funds are unrestricted gifts, not grants or loans. There is no legal or financial obligation to repay the support you receive. However, we are a social fund and hope that after graduation, you will join us as a volunteer and donor once you are settled into your career.
DOES LAST MILE PAY BACK STUDENT LOANS?
We do not pay back student loans or credit cards.
DO I HAVE TO TAKE OUT/ACCEPT MY FEDERAL LOANS BEFORE I APPLY FOR BRIDGE AND LAST MILE FUNDING?
Yes. Our Bridge and Last Mile Funds are only for students who have exhausted all possible forms of aid available to them. Our awards are not a substitute or replacement for loans or other forms of aid, but a potential supplement when available aid is not enough to meet students’ needs. When reviewing applications, we also take into consideration other subsidized resources being utilized by the applicant, i.e.: SNAP etc.
WILL I RECEIVE A 1099 TAX FORM FOR MY LAST MILE AWARD?
No. Your Last Mile Education Fund award is a gift, and you will not receive a Form-1099 from us.
WHY AM I REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A FORM W-8 OR W-9 DURING THE LAST MILE EDUCATION FUND APPLICATION PROCESS?
Last Mile requires a Form W-8 or W-9 during the application process as a form of identity verification to prevent fraud.