Get Paid to Learn: Tech Bootcamps Offering Stipends

For many people, the biggest barrier to pursuing tech education isn't ability or interest—it's financial constraints. Taking time away from work to learn new skills often means sacrificing income, creating a catch-22 that keeps talented individuals from accessing high-paying tech careers. Fortunately, a growing number of innovative programs are solving this problem by actually paying students to learn.

These "earn while you learn" opportunities provide financial support ranging from modest stipends to full salaries, making it possible to focus on skill development without financial stress. This article explores the best paid training opportunities, with special attention to programs accessible to those receiving benefits or with limited financial resources.

Government-Funded Paid Training Programs

Several federal and state workforce initiatives provide financial support for technical training, specifically targeting underserved populations and those receiving government assistance.

How to Access Government-Funded Programs

Government-funded programs typically require meeting certain eligibility criteria, which often prioritize individuals facing employment barriers or receiving public assistance:

• Visit your local American Job Center (find locations at CareerOneStop.org)
• Schedule an appointment with a workforce counselor to assess eligibility
• Inquire specifically about tech training programs that include stipends
• Ask about supportive services that may include childcare and transportation assistance in addition to training stipends
• Be prepared to provide documentation of income, benefit receipt, and employment status

Nonprofit Tech Bootcamps With Financial Support

Several nonprofit organizations have developed innovative models that provide both high-quality tech training and financial support, often targeting underrepresented groups in tech.

1. Per Scholas

Per Scholas offers tuition-free tech training with stipends in select locations across the United States. Their programs include:

• Bootcamp Benefits: 15-week intensive training with industry certifications
• Financial Support: Weekly stipends of $125-$400 based on location and need
• Focus Areas: IT Support, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, and Cloud Administration
• Eligibility: Open to low and moderate-income adults; benefits recipients often prioritized
• Application: Apply through Per Scholas

2. Year Up

Year Up combines professional training with paid internships at major companies:

• Program Structure: 6 months of training followed by 6-month paid corporate internship
• Financial Support: Weekly stipend of $150-$250 during training phase; competitive pay during internship phase
• Focus Areas: IT, Financial Operations, Project Management, Software Development, and more
• Eligibility: Ages 18-26 with high school diploma or equivalent; no bachelor's degree
• Application: Apply through Year Up

3. NPower

NPower provides free technology training with stipends to veterans and young adults from underserved communities:

• Program Length: 16-23 weeks plus internship opportunities
• Financial Support: Weekly stipends of $100-$200, plus transportation assistance and meal allowances
• Focus Areas: IT Support, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity
• Eligibility: Veterans or young adults (18-26) from underserved communities
• Application: Apply through NPower

Corporate-Sponsored Apprenticeships

Many major tech companies now offer paid apprenticeship programs that combine on-the-job training with formal education—often targeting career-changers and those without traditional tech credentials.

Major Corporate Apprenticeship Programs:

• IBM Apprenticeship Program: Full salary ($50,000+) while learning roles like Software Engineer, Data Scientist, or Cybersecurity Analyst
• Amazon Technical Apprenticeships: Paid training ($25-35/hour) in cloud support, data center tech, and more
• Microsoft Leap: 16-week paid apprenticeship ($25-40/hour) with pathways to full-time roles
• Google Career Certificates Apprenticeship Program: 12-month paid opportunities in IT Support, Data Analytics, UX Design, and more
• Salesforce Pathfinder Program: Training and paid internships in Salesforce administration and development

Corporate apprenticeships typically provide the highest compensation among paid learning opportunities, often offering full salaries with benefits rather than stipends. However, they also tend to be the most competitive programs to get into.

Income Share Agreement (ISA) Bootcamps

While not offering stipends directly, ISA programs allow students to attend bootcamps with no upfront tuition, paying only after securing employment above a certain income threshold. Some also provide living stipends during training:

• Lambda School: Offers living stipends of $2,000/month to select students in addition to ISA options
• Pursuit: Four-year software engineering program with need-based stipends and no upfront cost
• General Assembly: Catalyst program covers tuition and provides monthly stipends for eligible students
• Coding Dojo: Partners with workforce boards to offer fully funded training with living stipends to eligible participants

Benefits Considerations for Paid Learning Programs

For individuals receiving government assistance, it's important to understand how stipends and training payments might affect benefits:

Applying for Paid Tech Training Programs

Competition for programs that pay you to learn can be fierce. Here's how to maximize your chances of acceptance:

Application Success Strategies:

1. Start with your local workforce office - They can help determine your eligibility for funded programs and may have exclusive access to certain opportunities
2. Apply to multiple programs - Different programs have different selection criteria; cast a wide net
3. Prepare for basic assessments - Many programs require aptitude tests in math, logic, or problem-solving
4. Highlight transferable skills - Show how your existing skills and experiences would make you successful
5. Demonstrate commitment - Programs invest in you based on your likelihood of completion and success
6. Be benefits-transparent - Many programs specifically aim to serve benefit recipients; this can be an advantage