Increasing diversity in technology and engineering fields goes beyond identifying talented students; it’s about providing the financial stability they need to thrive. The Last Mile Education Fund offers a groundbreaking approach to investing in high-potential students from lower-income backgrounds who are pursuing degrees in technology.
Unlike traditional scholarships that reward past success, Last Mile’s mission is to ensure students have the stability they need to achieve their career goals.
How The Last Mile Education Fund Works
We spoke with Ruthe Farmer, Founder & CEO of Last Mile Education Fund. Here’s a video with her answers to our questions.
Video Interview
Below, we’ll break down her answers for those who prefer to read a summary.
What is the Last Mile Education Fund?
The Last Mile Education Fund stands out from conventional scholarships by focusing on the holistic needs of students. Rather than only rewarding academic achievements, Last Mile provides financial support that ensures stability in the lives of its students. This includes a wide range of financial aid, from dental work to car repairs and new laptops, allowing students the flexibility to use funds as they see fit, covering any essentials that contribute to their educational journey.
Types of Grants Offered
1. Emergency or Mini-Grants: These rapid-response grants, typically under $600, address immediate needs. The application review is quick, and funds are disbursed promptly.
2. Bridge Grants: With a cap of $4,500, these grants help students overcome significant financial obstacles, such as attending career-building events or managing financial issues during their junior year.
3. Last Mile Grants: These grants are designed to help students cross the finish line to graduation, covering final hurdles to ensure students receive their degrees.
Scholarships for Undergrads and Grads
To date, Last Mile has supported over 7,300 students with nearly $9 million in funding, assisting approximately 250 students each month. These grants are seen as investments in students poised to make meaningful contributions to the workforce.
For example, graduates with technology degrees earn an average of $43,000 more annually compared to those who did not complete their degrees. With an average investment of about $1,100 per student, Last Mile helps close the graduation gap for students with immense potential.
“We actually have recently begun supporting graduate students and are also supporting students in community colleges, doing cyber security pathways, because there’s a lot of folks that will go back to get some kind of certifications and other resources while they’re in the already in the workforce.”
Partnerships, such as the Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship, aim to fund 10,000 students in community and technical colleges, providing not only cash grants but also industry resources like LinkedIn Premium and GitHub Global Campus memberships.
Beyond the Funding: How to Bridge the Skills Gap
Last Mile’s support extends beyond financial aid. The organization aims to stabilize students first, and then guide them through the interview process, internships, and networking opportunities. Students from lower-income backgrounds often juggle family responsibilities and work alongside their studies, leaving little time for professional development.
By stabilizing their financial situations, Last Mile helps these students explore further opportunities to enhance their career prospects.
“Virtually no university in the nation has the capacity to teach students what it’s going to be like to work in AI in tech right now. It’s moving so fast. And so we’re genuinely concerned about the students who are graduating in 2025 and 2026 having enough AI on their resume, and so we’re working on a project to incentivize students to take an additional course.”
Last Mile’s comprehensive support system extends to many programs and networking opportunities, ensuring students are well-prepared for their careers. They’ve also partnered with Women in Cybersecurity, and students who qualify get a membership code to join for free.
The Application Process
The Last Mile Education Fund encourages any student in a technology-related field facing financial difficulties to apply.
Whether you’re at a community college, technical college, or university pursuing a degree in computing, data science, cybersecurity, or a related field, Last Mile might have funding for you. Documentation is required to prove enrollment and financial need, but the application process is straightforward.
Farmer says:
“There’s a lot of places on the Internet where you can go search for scholarships that you can apply for. We’re doing the opposite. Just tell us who you are. And we’re going to find you whatever scholarships that are available that are a match through the dollars that we’ve raised.”
Applicants are sometimes skeptical about the legitimacy of Last Mile’s no-strings-attached approach to funding. However, the testimonials of the thousands of students who have already benefited attest to the fund’s genuine aim to support.
Students can apply directly through lastmile-ed.org. Additionally, anonymous referrals can be made via the website to help students in need discover this opportunity.
How to Get Involved
Last Mile is always looking for more funding to support emerging areas of need, ready to raise money for students from specific regions or fields.
And remember, it’s not just about getting students through their final semesters; it’s about ensuring they step confidently into their careers, contributing to innovation, and expanding diversity in technology fields.
“We are a nationally chartered IRS 501 C3. We got our 501 C3 in 2022. And we have, if you go to our website, you’ll see that some of our donors are some of the biggest banks in the country and biggest tech companies in the country.”
Donations to support these efforts are accepted at lastmile-ed.org/donate. Join a growing list of supporters, including some of the nation’s largest banks and tech companies, to help make a lasting impact.
