Scholarships
Pablo M. Ortiz Scholarship Fund
This scholarship seeks to honor Pablo M. Ortiz’s legacy by supporting underrepresented students who are interested in software engineering or computer science. Any BIPOC undergraduate student who is pursuing a two or four-year degree in software engineering, IT, or computer science may apply for this scholarship. However, students who have volunteering or internship experience are preferred. The deadline is June 20th. Applicants must submit a front-end or back-end developer portfolio.
I Can and I Will Scholarship
This scholarship aims to support students who have overcome challenges in order to pursue higher education. Any BIPOC high school senior or undergraduate student who is first-generation, has at least a 3.5 GPA, is involved in community or extracurricular activities, and is directly or indirectly impacted by a mental or physical disability (themselves or a family member) may apply for this scholarship, but students from single-parent households are preferred. The deadline is August 1st. An essay is required.
Charles Cheesman's Student Debt Reduction Scholarship
The Charles Cheesman Student Debt Reduction Scholarship offers $4,000-$7,500 and seeks to reduce student loan costs for African American or Hispanic/Latino first generation students who are currently in college or have graduated with student loans. Workers who are no longer students but are still working to pay off student loans are eligible. An essay is required to apply and the deadline is May 30th.
Up Together Fund
Did you participate in BUILD for at least one year? If so, you are qualified to receive $300 in funds through the UpTogether Grant.
To request the grant, email Cindy Pineda at cpineda@build.org with your name and region.
Suzanne McKechnie Klahr (SMK) Scholarship
The Suzanne McKechnie Klahr, Esq. Scholarship was created to honor Suzanne, BUILD’s Founder and CEO for almost two decades. The award grants between $1,000 and $3,000 each year for up to three high school seniors who embody the traits Suzanne brought to her work with BUILD.
Award Amount: between $1000 and $3000 each year
Number of Scholarships Awarded: up to 3
Students must have been in BUILD for all four years of our four-year program
Students may be two-or-four-year college-bound (HS Senior planning to attend an accredited two-or-four-year institution)
Application coming in January 2023.
Up to three finalists will be selected and invited to interview with a selection committee, which includes Ms. Suzanne McKechnie Klahr.
The scholarship winner will be announced by April 1st, 2023.
Congratulations to our Class of 2021 SMK Scholars!
BUILD Emergency Relief Fund
Any BUILD student who meets the criteria can apply for emergency relief funds, up to $2,000/year while enrolled in college, for unforeseen expenses e.g. closing gaps in financial aid, books for school, emergency travel, and other real-life needs.
Award Amount: up to $2000
Students must have been in BUILD for 2-3 years of our four-year program
Students must be matriculated at an accredited two-or-four-year institution
Application coming in January 2023.
Within 2-4 days, BUILD staff will contact you with next steps in the application process
