About
Per Scholas is a national workforce development nonprofit headquartered in the Bronx, New York, that provides no-cost, rigorous technology training to advance economic mobility. Through boot camp-style courses designed with employers, Per Scholas prepares learners for high-demand tech careers and connects skilled talent to leading businesses.
Mission
Per Scholas states: we empower learners with rigorous technology and AI training for tech careers, and connect skilled talent to leading businesses. The organization believes a thriving workforce starts with access to education.
What they do
- Tuition-free technical training: boot camp-style courses combining hands-on technical instruction with professional skills development, in tracks including cybersecurity, software development (such as Java), AWS cloud, data engineering, desktop support, and data center technology.
- Employer partnerships: curricula are designed with employers, and more than 1,000 employers hire Per Scholas graduates.
- National reach: more than 25 campuses across the United States — including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Seattle, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Denver — plus national remote training options.
History
Per Scholas was founded in 1995 in the Bronx, New York, by John Hoyt Stookey and Lewis E. Miller, with the aim of promoting economic mobility through skills training and access to high-growth careers in the technology sector. In 2025 the organization celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of advancing economic mobility by providing access to high-quality, no-cost tech training to untapped talent.
Scale and impact
Per Scholas reports that more than 35,000 graduates have launched careers in tech to date, with an 85 percent graduation rate. The organization cites a typical alumni pre-training income of 20,085 dollars rising to 54,606 dollars after training.
Financials
Per Scholas Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 04-3252955) recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS in March 1995. According to ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, for fiscal year 2024 it reported total revenue of 70,003,209 dollars, total expenses of 68,608,799 dollars, and total assets of 70,586,387 dollars.
Governance
Per Scholas is led by Chief Executive Officer Plinio Ayala and President Caitlyn Brazill.