Year Up is a program that helps low income young adults go from poverty to a professional career within just one year. It consists of six months of training, prep for entry level jobs, and then placement in an internship for six months at a local or national company.

Providing much needed help

Year Up is a non-profit organization based in Seattle, WA, but they provide assistance to young adults all over the country. Even more, participants in their program receive a small stipend of up to $200 per week while enrolled.

The program offers a tremendous opportunity for low-income students who are not planning to enroll in a four-year education or have not found a wage job. About 30 to 40 percent of Year Up graduates are offered a full-time job after completing the program, and 85 percent either enroll in college full-time or work full-time after completing the program.

Too good to be true?

Some have expressed that the program is not legit because "it seems too good to be true." However, Year Up is a legit 501(c)3 organization that receives funding from several major companies like Microsoft, UPS, Expedia, T-Mobile, Wells Fargo, and others.

Even President Obama visited one of the Year Up's training centers in California, and called the program "an innovative post-secondary opportunity."

Requirements

Applicants must be:

Be 18-24 years old

A high school graduate (or GED)

Low to moderate income

A U.S. Citizen, permanent resident, or have an employment authorization card

Available 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) for the full year of the program

Highly motivated to learn new technical and professional skills

Have not obtained a bachelor’s degree

To learn more about the program and how to apply, visit www.yearup.org