Forge
Launch Scholarships
Forge is launching our first-ever scholarship program to promote diversity in the tech industry. This lack of diversity has led to underrepresentation, particularly amongst Black, Latinx, and Indigenous populations. The problem isn't being solved quickly enough and we want to do our part to change that.
Available Scholarships
Hispanic/Latinx Student Fund
This scholarship is available to all students who identify as Hispanic or Latinx.
In 2021, the EEOC reported that only 12% of the tech workforce is Hispanic or Latinx. Another survey found that 73% of tech companies have no Hispanic or Latinx leaders.
Apply
In 2021, the EEOC reported that only 12% of the tech workforce is Hispanic or Latinx. Another survey found that 73% of tech companies have no Hispanic or Latinx leaders.
Apply
Black Student Fund
This scholarship is available to all students who identify as Black or Afro-Carribean.
As of 2021, 21% of the tech workforce is Black. In a recent survey, 63% of Black respondents report difficulty finding a mentor compared to only 28% of white respondents.
Apply
As of 2021, 21% of the tech workforce is Black. In a recent survey, 63% of Black respondents report difficulty finding a mentor compared to only 28% of white respondents.
Apply
First-Gen Student Fund
This scholarship is available to all first-generation college students.
First-generation college students face a myriad of challenges including conscious and unconscious bias and are less likely to have a paid internship in college due to these barriers.
Apply
First-generation college students face a myriad of challenges including conscious and unconscious bias and are less likely to have a paid internship in college due to these barriers.
Apply
Indigenous Student Fund
This scholarship is available to all Indigenous and Native American students.*
The tech industry's reporting on Indigenous and Native American populations in the workforce is scarce. What we do know is that 97% of companies have no Native or Indigenous leaders.
Apply
The tech industry's reporting on Indigenous and Native American populations in the workforce is scarce. What we do know is that 97% of companies have no Native or Indigenous leaders.
Apply
All recipients will receive 50% to 100% Launch tuition scholarships. This means that students will earn a total of $5331-$7231 for the summer, rather than the median $3431 that is net earned after full tuition cost and tax.**
The purpose of this scholarship program is not solely to provide financial assistance, but to also provide an inclusive and supportive network for BIPOC students to bridge the gap between tech companies and young talent.
** Based on past year median earnings, accounting for Launch tuition and income taxes.
The purpose of this scholarship program is not solely to provide financial assistance, but to also provide an inclusive and supportive network for BIPOC students to bridge the gap between tech companies and young talent.
** Based on past year median earnings, accounting for Launch tuition and income taxes.
Supporting Diversity in Tech
In 2014, Google published the first ever diversity report in the tech industry. In the years following, there has been little to no improvement within the industry.
In 2014, Google published the first ever diversity report in the tech industry. In the years following, there has been little to no improvement within the industry.
63%
of Black respondents in the tech workforce report difficulty with finding a mentor, compared to only 28% of white respondents
In 2017, we created the Launch internship placement program. The first of its kind, the program provides extensive professional development and technical skills training, job placement, and hands-on experience at a tuition rate 74% lower than the typical bootcamp. It was a first of its kind program. Students could apply, and once accepted they would go through extensive career and technical skill training.
After completing the program, students walk away with a new in-demand skill set, money in their bank account earned from working a summer internship, and real-word experience on their resume to help them launch into their career.
Since 2017, we have trained and placed 365 students in high-paying internships at 200+ companies.
Our organization has made it a priority to continue to make the program as accessible as possible to everyone, regardless of background. Since 2017, we've been able to increase the average student's take home pay by 400%.
This past summer, the median gross income after paying tuition and taxes was $4,150.
As an organization, we're incredibly proud of this number. We dedicate considerable time and resources towards educating companies about livable wages for interns and are thoughtful in the companies that we choose to work with. It also means that we now have a program that enables students to invest in themselves. It has been our goal since the very beginning to build a program that was student-centric and made the experience of securing an internship more accessible for students of all backgrounds, not just those that have existing social capital.
All this being said, regardless of how accessible our program currently is, we realize that there are still barriers (financial, structural, systemic) that contribute to underrepresentation in our industry.
Because of this, we are launching four scholarships focused on encouraging individuals from these underrepresented groups to apply to our program and participate. The goal is to increase opportunity for Black, Latinx, First-Gen, and Indigenous students in order to build a more diverse community of talent in today's tech workforce. As technology becomes increasingly prevalent, we have a responsibility to ensure that all groups are represented in the building and designing of the products that we use in our daily lives.
After completing the program, students walk away with a new in-demand skill set, money in their bank account earned from working a summer internship, and real-word experience on their resume to help them launch into their career.
Since 2017, we have trained and placed 365 students in high-paying internships at 200+ companies.
Our organization has made it a priority to continue to make the program as accessible as possible to everyone, regardless of background. Since 2017, we've been able to increase the average student's take home pay by 400%.
This past summer, the median gross income after paying tuition and taxes was $4,150.
As an organization, we're incredibly proud of this number. We dedicate considerable time and resources towards educating companies about livable wages for interns and are thoughtful in the companies that we choose to work with. It also means that we now have a program that enables students to invest in themselves. It has been our goal since the very beginning to build a program that was student-centric and made the experience of securing an internship more accessible for students of all backgrounds, not just those that have existing social capital.
All this being said, regardless of how accessible our program currently is, we realize that there are still barriers (financial, structural, systemic) that contribute to underrepresentation in our industry.
Because of this, we are launching four scholarships focused on encouraging individuals from these underrepresented groups to apply to our program and participate. The goal is to increase opportunity for Black, Latinx, First-Gen, and Indigenous students in order to build a more diverse community of talent in today's tech workforce. As technology becomes increasingly prevalent, we have a responsibility to ensure that all groups are represented in the building and designing of the products that we use in our daily lives.
How to Apply
Scholarship applications close on February 9, 2022 at 11:59pm ET. Apply here.
Scholarship applications are open to all prospective and accepted students in the 2022 program. If you have not yet submitted your application, please make sure to do that in addition to your scholarship application. Please visit our Launch page to learn how you can apply.
Your scholarship application will be reviewed separately from your application to the Launch program. This will in no way affect your eligibility to join the program.
Scholarship applications are open to all prospective and accepted students in the 2022 program. If you have not yet submitted your application, please make sure to do that in addition to your scholarship application. Please visit our Launch page to learn how you can apply.
Your scholarship application will be reviewed separately from your application to the Launch program. This will in no way affect your eligibility to join the program.
What Happens Next
Our team will review applications and awards will be announced in late February 2022.
If you applied in the Fall 2021 semester (September-November), you will be notified of your acceptance to the Launch program before scholarship awards are announced. Your scholarship application will be reviewed separately from your application to the Launch program. This will in no way affect your eligibility to join the program. Scholarship recipients will be notified in late February 2022.
If you applied in the Fall 2021 semester (September-November), you will be notified of your acceptance to the Launch program before scholarship awards are announced. Your scholarship application will be reviewed separately from your application to the Launch program. This will in no way affect your eligibility to join the program. Scholarship recipients will be notified in late February 2022.
How to Support
If you are interested in supporting our scholarship fund, please visit our Donate page to learn more about how you can help us solve the diversity crisis in the tech industry.
Financial Aid
The purpose of the scholarship program is not solely to provide financial assistance, but to provide an inclusive and supportive network for BIPOC students to bridge the gap between tech companies and young talent.
If you are not awarded a scholarship, but are still interested in receiving financial aid to lower the cost of your tuition our team will be in contact in early March. Please make sure to indicate that you are interested in financial aid when completing the scholarship application. To be eligible to apply, a student must be receiving financial aid from their college or university. Please see our Payment & Tuition page for more information on financial aid.
If you are not awarded a scholarship, but are still interested in receiving financial aid to lower the cost of your tuition our team will be in contact in early March. Please make sure to indicate that you are interested in financial aid when completing the scholarship application. To be eligible to apply, a student must be receiving financial aid from their college or university. Please see our Payment & Tuition page for more information on financial aid.
Forge is a 501(c)(3) non-profit school that prepares students with the modern skills they need to make an impact in the world.
At Forge, we believe everyone is responsible for making a positive impact in their community and we try hard to set a standard for other organizations to follow.
At Forge, we believe everyone is responsible for making a positive impact in their community and we try hard to set a standard for other organizations to follow.
* The Indigenous Student Fund is available to all Indigenous and Native American students, including Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders as categorized by government reporting standards.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at hello@joinforge.co
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About Forge (formerly HackCville)
Forge is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that prepares students with the modern skills they need to make an impact in the world. Each year, over 1,000 students learn things like design, marketing, and data science through our fun, engaging, community-driven projects and programs. We strive to empower students to realize their own potential while creating opportunities for them to make an impact for good.
In turn, we provide talent to 200+ tech companies, startups, and nonprofits across the country. Our home is our clubhouse near the University of Virginia, but our broader network of 2,000+ spans the globe. More about us →
In turn, we provide talent to 200+ tech companies, startups, and nonprofits across the country. Our home is our clubhouse near the University of Virginia, but our broader network of 2,000+ spans the globe. More about us →
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A 501(c)(3) non-profit
EIN: 46-1626349
A 501(c)(3) non-profit
EIN: 46-1626349