Student FAQs
Opportunities like this don't come along often, so you might have questions. See below to view answers to the questions our students ask most frequently!
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Cost and Stipend
Our job training program is tuition free for young adult participants. In fact, you can earn an educational stipend to help you offset basic expenses. In locations where we partner with colleges, you will still be responsible for college tuition and fees, but we work with you to complete the FAFSA and to receive grants and funding that can cover college costs.
Many students work part time jobs during evenings or weekends while attending Year Up United. It can be challenging to balance, but it’s possible. While the educational stipend you can earn won’t replace a full-time job, it will help offset some of your basic expenses. If you are worried about your income, our student services staff has experience discussing part time jobs for students and can help you develop a plan that will enable your success at Year Up United and ensure you can cover your expenses.
Yes! You will have the ability to earn an educational stipend during the entire program, and the stipend increases during your internship. The stipend won’t replace a full-time job, but it can help offset some of your basic expenses.
The educational stipend can be earned throughout the entire program, and increases during the internship phase. Generally, students receive payment every two weeks, via check or direct deposit.
Yes, on a case-by-case basis. Our Student Services team works with students who may need financial support for transportation or other items.
Student Benefits
80% of our graduates are employed within 4-months of graduation. We have a dedicated team that is committed to helping you get a job after graduation. For more see Student Benefits.
Students that meet expectations during the learning and development phase will advance to an internship or directly into a job search to secure a role aligned with their training, supported by our industry-leading talent placement firm YUPRO Placement. We set very clear expectations and coach you every step of the way to ensure you always know where you stand.
Salaries vary, but a recent study found that our participants earn 30% more, on average, than their peers who don’t join Year Up United. We have a dedicated team that is committed to helping you with job placement after graduation.
Reach out to admissions@yearupunited.org or watch our informational videos to “meet” real students and staff during onboarding! Read stories from our alumni and check out our social media channels for more information about how we enable career training and placement. The federal government has funded studies to ensure we’re delivering on our promise to help young adults like you get started with the right job training program and start life-changing careers.
When you graduate from Year Up United, you join a network of 24,000+ Alumni. We provide resources such as access to a no-cost Associate’s Degree program, career coaching, and access to an alumni assistance program available 24/7. Learn more on our alumni page.
Internship matching is led by Year Up United staff as students reach the end of their Learning & Development phase. The exact matching depends on external factors, such as what internships are available in a market, and student-specific considerations, like what job training was completed through Career Pathways, what prior experience a student has, etc. Based on these factors, staff may also determine a student is ready for the next phase of their career and recommend the student connect with YUPRO Placement, Year Up United’s industry-leading talent placement firm. In this case, the individual would move directly from Learning & Development into a meaningful job search, and not receive an internship as part of their Year Up United journey.
College Credit
Yes! You may still be eligible for Year Up United if you have a college degree from an international university. However, all students must have U.S. work authorization (U.S. citizenship, permanent resident, DACA recipient, or Employment Authorization Card), and be within commuting distance of a Year Up United location throughout the duration of the program.
Year Up United offers college credits at some of our locations. If you enroll at a Year Up United location housed at a community college, you may receive college credit directly through that college.
At some of our locations, you will be dually enrolled with our college partner and may receive up to 31 credits from the college and Year Up United courses. Some students do choose to take additional classes while in the program, but it can be difficult to balance. You can discuss further with a member of our team during the onboarding process. Start here.
COVID-19 INFO
Certain vaccinations may be required of our staff and participants depending on the requirements of our college, corporate, or other community partners. If you have questions about meeting any potential vaccination requirements, please reach out to YUVaxSupport@yearup.org.
Year Up United's Application Process
Year Up United has a rolling admissions process. We encourage you to apply early because spaces can fill up quickly. We begin a new cohort approximately every six months, so if you don't make it into the current class, we encourage you to apply for the next! Visit the location page to view class start dates offered at the location nearest to you.
The first step is to click the apply button so that you can begin your application, and follow the steps on screen. Next, you'll attend an interview, review your decision letter, complete your onboarding, and go on to start your Year Up United journey! If you're applying to one of our college-based locations, you will need to apply to the college and complete the FAFSA. Don't worry if that sounds intimidating—our admissions team will be there to support you along the way, and they will provide more details as you progress.
To reapply to Year Up United, contact admissions@yearupunited.org to connect with your local Year Up United Admissions Office. Reapplication varies by campus.
If you know of any friends or family members that would benefit from the Year Up United experience, you can visit the referral page, or send the young adult to the referral page, and fill out the referral form. A Year Up United staff member will then follow up with them shortly!
Yes, our staff regularly host info sessions and other events to share information about Year Up United eligibility requirements, student benefits, the phases of the program, and more! You can check out upcoming events here and find one that fits your schedule.
Diversity Initiative
Year Up United is proud to offer a safe space to all. Learn more about our diversity initiative here. We embrace diversity of all kinds and actively work to support diversity in the classroom and the workforce. If you require accommodation (for example, based on religion or ability), we will work to support you in whatever way we can.
Eligibility
Our internship partners require some kind of work authorization, which is why it is a Year Up United requirement. If you're a U.S. citizen, you can automatically work in the U.S. If you're not a U.S. citizen, we welcome various forms of work authorization, including DACA status. We strongly support DACA and have dedicated resources if you have DACA status.
Minimum age limit: Year Up United's internship requirements for students require you to be 18 years old before the first day of your internship. This is because there are different employment laws for adults and children. You may apply and enroll in the program at age 17, as long as your 18th birthday occurs prior to the start of internship. Maximum age limit: 29 years old. You must not be over the age of 29 when you are accepted into the program. You may turn 30 over the course of the year-long program, as long as you are no older than 29 at the time of acceptance.
Yes! Many of our students have some college but no degree. As long as you have not obtained a Bachelor's degree you are eligible to apply to the program, and may find that it's a great opportunity to improve upon your education.
We accept international students into our job training programs with either international or U.S. high school diplomas or GEDs. However, all students must have U.S. work authorization and be within commuting distance of a Year Up United location throughout the duration of the program.
At our locations we work with 18-29 year olds because that age range provides a pivotal time to support young adults through successful transitions from school into the economic mainstream, and toward long-term success. Our partners also require interns to be 18 or older. Investment in this age group has been limited; with few viable alternatives to the traditional college-to-career pathway, we're proving that young adults can succeed via a more direct path to a career. Through our partner, Grads of Life you can search for other workforce training providers in your area. Go here to learn more about our eligibility requirements.
In some locations, we use a basic academic assessment to see where you're starting—If we know where you are, we can better support you! We expect you to try your best, but it also isn't something you should worry about. It's ok if you didn't get "good" grades in high school. There are many types of assessment in education, with this assessment we just want to understand your needs better.
Yes, you may apply to Year Up United while still in high school or GED classes as long as you will receive your diploma or GED before Year Up United orientation.
Yes, we review financial aid on a case-by-case basis. Be sure to bring this up with a member of our admissions team, and they can advise.
Misdemeanor or juvenile records have no impact on your application to Year Up United, but do need to be disclosed to the companies where students are placed for their internship. We work closely, in partnership with our corporate partners, to support young adults with a criminal record as best we can.
Year Up United does not practice pregnancy discrimination. Pregnancy will not factor into any adverse decision.
Depending on the steps taken after Learning & Development, a student will be considered an alum of Year Up United once they complete their internship or once they begin their journey with YUPRO Placement. In either instance, it is required that a student is in good standing to be eligible for graduation and the benefits of the Year Up United alumni network. Once a former student is considered an alum, they cannot reapply to the Year Up United program.
Logistics
Year Up United has shifted to a hybrid program model, combining in-person and virtual learning opportunities for students and interns. However, to be eligible for Year Up United you must be within commuting distance to the physical location you are applying throughout the duration of the program and regularly attend in-person days. Find the Year Up location nearest to you.
In most locations Year Up United is a one-year commitment, Monday - Friday, however program duration does vary by campus. Hours vary slightly based on location, but roughly mirror traditional business hours. You will learn the exact hours at the location nearest you during onboarding, or you can reach out to admissions@yearupunited.org to speak with a member of our team.
Yes, many of our students have children or family members they support. Our Student Services team can provide resources and help you plan for your family support needs so that you can be successful at Year Up United.
Year Up United does not provide housing, but our Student Services team can provide resources, connect you to housing opportunities, and help you find a solution, on a case-by-case basis. We work with other community organizations when needed, to ensure this isn't a barrier to your success.
Yes, Year Up United upholds a business attire dress code, which we define in detail during orientation. If you don't have professional clothing, don't worry. We can recommend sources for affordable professional clothing and we have clothing closets with high quality, donated professional clothing available at no cost to you.
Year Up United sets high expectations for attendance. We expect you to arrive on time, each day, with the exception of pre-determined holidays. We know things come up, so we offer a small number of personal days for those times. Late arrivals or additional absence beyond those allowed will have an impact on your performance in program, which we discuss, in detail, during orientation so that you know exactly what to expect.
Programs and Tracks
Our job training offerings, career tracks, and internships vary by locations, and may change each cycle, depending on the needs of our corporate partners. Click here to find the job trainings offered nearest to you.
You’ll share your top specialty choices when you apply. Everyone learns the same essential skills to start. Then, based on your interest, the observations of your instructors and advisors, and available internship opportunities, we’ll place you into a specialty that will be the best fit. Visit the location page of the location nearest you, to see what options are available for the current recruitment cycle.
No, you cannot change specialties once you have been assigned. However, we work very hard to ensure your specialty will be the right fit for you. Learn more about our specialties and programs.