Per Scholas

What Per Scholas is

Per Scholas is a US training organization that runs full-length technology courses at no cost to learners, then helps graduates find jobs. It serves two readers: adults who want to start or change a career in tech, and employers looking to hire trained entry-level talent or upskill their own staff. The homepage pitch to learners is "I want no-cost skills training for a competitive career", promising "AI-enabled no-cost training, certifications, professional development, and job attainment assistance." The courses page calls it "Tuition-free Tech Training & Certifications".

The model is funded by others. The homepage says that for 30 years a network of funders, partners and individual donors has backed the training of "more than 30,000 Per Scholas Technologists", and invites visitors to donate to "help us change the face of tech". The site also publishes an annual report, financials and an impact evaluation study FAQ.

Where it teaches

Per Scholas lists locations in Atlanta, Baltimore, Greater Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Greater Cincinnati, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Los Angeles, the National Capital Region, Newark, New York City, North Carolina, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Seattle, the San Francisco Bay area and St. Louis, plus a "National" option. Not every course runs everywhere, and each listing says which locations offer it.

The courses page explains the three ways to attend. "In-person learning takes place at one of our facilities across the US." Remote learners "must live within commutable distance of a Per Scholas campus to best facilitate our professional development and post-training employment support", while those farther away "may be eligible for our National training courses." Hybrid courses let learners take part remotely or in person depending on the course.

The courses

Most programs run 15 weeks and end in industry certifications. The catalog groups them into cloud, cybersecurity, data engineering, infrastructure, software engineering and systems support.

• IT Support Training: the broadest entry point, offered in more locations than any other course and nationally, preparing for the Google IT Support Professional Certificate and CompTIA A+ and listed as a "Recommended starting point for learners with no previous tech work experience or coursework."
• NextGen IT Support (AI-Powered): "In just 15 weeks, this AI-powered program combines 10 hours per week of live instructor sessions with approximately 20 hours of personalized AI-led instruction". The AI part uses "Azari, your AI tutor that adapts to your pace", with live instructor support from 9 AM to 5 PM and round-the-clock access to the tutor. Learners also install, configure and troubleshoot hardware, operating systems and networks.
• AI-Enabled Healthcare IT Technician: CompTIA A+ preparation aimed at entry-level roles, offered in cities from Atlanta and Greater Boston to Houston and Phoenix.
• Cybersecurity with AI Tools: CompTIA Security+ and Splunk Core Certified User, preparing learners "to enter this ever growing field as an IT security analyst". Previous tech work experience or education is preferred.
• AWS re/Start: "This 15-week skills development training prepares individuals for positions in the cloud through real-world, scenario-based learning, labs, and coursework", leading to the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and Generative AI Practitioner credentials.
• AI Native Business Intelligence: a 15-week data analytics course covering "SQL, Excel, and End-to-End BI Solutions", with the Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Associate (PL-300) certification and the Google AI Professional Certificate. It is also marked as a starting point for beginners.
• AI Native Software Development: a 15-week course on "computer science, React, Node, design patterns & system architecture, and more", with GitHub Copilot Fundamentals and Introduction to Generative AI badges. Previous knowledge is recommended.
• Salesforce Administrator with AgentForce: remote training toward the Salesforce Administrator Certification and Agentblazer badges, "Suitable for all levels".

Per Scholas also trains for physical infrastructure jobs. Data Center Technician with AI Tools combines CompTIA A+, the Google IT Support certificate and OSHA safety credentials. Data Center Technician powered by TEKsystems is an 8-week course on networking and data center operations. The Critical Facilities Technician courses cover the power, cooling and control systems behind data centers, hospitals and factories, with EPA 608 and OSHA credentials, and one version, powered by TEKsystems, is built around that company's open jobs. Low Voltage & Fiber Technician is an 11-week program leading to the FOA Certified Fiber Optic Technician credential, and Structured Cabling & Fiber Technician, also with TEKsystems, is a 5.5-week course with "recognized safety credentials, and personalized career coaching". One IT support course in western North Carolina runs in partnership with Wilkes Community College and AB Tech.

Who can apply

Each course carries a level. Some are open to "Applicants with all levels of experience in tech". For others, "some technical background may be helpful". For intermediate or advanced courses, the stated technical knowledge "will be required as a prerequisite for applicants to be considered for admission." Applicants learn more from an admissions lead or an admissions overview after applying, and the homepage gives an admissions phone line, 718-991-8400.

Money and support during training

Training costs learners nothing, but full-time study still means time away from paid work. The courses page addresses this: "If you're enrolled in a full time IT Support course, you can apply for a 0% interest loan from Ascent to help cover personal expenses during the course." Alongside the technical content, the homepage promises professional development and "job attainment assistance", and the courses page ties both to living near a campus. There is a separate Per Scholas Vets in Tech program for veterans, and a Meet our Alumni section.

For employers

The Talent Solutions side of the site speaks to companies: "Hire qualified candidates with the skills you need to fill open roles, and upskill or reskill your current team to grow your business." The TEKsystems courses show how this works in practice, with training designed around a hiring partner's jobs.

Who it suits

Per Scholas suits adults in or near one of its cities who want a structured, full-time route into an entry-level tech job and cannot or will not pay bootcamp tuition. Beginners have clear starting points in IT support, healthcare IT and business intelligence, while people with some background can aim at cybersecurity, AWS cloud or AI-native software development. Learners who prefer hands-on trades will find the data center, critical facilities and fiber courses. It suits less well someone who needs to keep a full-time job while studying, since most courses are full-time over several weeks, or someone far from a campus who is looking for a course outside the National options.