2U commits $3M for underrepresented students to pursue technical training

Education technology company 2U will offer scholarships of $2,500 each to "Black, Latino, and Indigenous learners, as well as women," to attend online technical training programs. According to the company’s June 10 statement, it will provide the scholarships, totaling $3 million, to candidates demonstrating "both need and merit." 2U said the program is specifically for individuals from underrepresented groups enduring financial hardship or who lost their jobs. The scholarships can be used for more than 100 programs spanning digital marketing, data analytics, coding, fintech and more. The programs are offered by more than 30 universities partnered with 2U, including Columbia Engineering, The George Washington University, University of Pennsylvania, Rice University, University of California Berkeley, University of North Carolina and Vanderbilt University. For many, the program is offered by an extension school or school of professional studies. "As the economic impact of the pandemic continues to unfold, millions of people have seen their livelihoods disappear overnight, with people of color and women disproportionately affected. Many of these jobs — especially in sectors already at risk of automation — aren’t coming back," 2U Co-Founder and CEO Christopher "Chip" Paucek said. "This scholarship fund removes barriers for workers who are traditionally underrepresented in the tech industry by increasing the affordability of top university boot camps across 2U’s network."