Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship Program
Short-term basic needs (food, rent, health, transportation, laptop) or cybersecurity certification exam costs, plus LinkedIn Premium and GitHub Global Campus.
Who it's for: Community or technical college students in cybersecurity or related programs (IT, CS, networking, data systems), freshmen and sophomores included.
Official: up to $500 in financial assistance, or up to $375 toward cybersecurity certification exam costs.
Deadline: Rolling. One-time award.
How to apply: Last Mile common application (Caravan portal).
Official page
Checked Oct 11, 2026 · Last Mile Education Fund with Microsoft
Transportation Access Fund
A gift for transportation barriers: car repairs, gas, transit passes, rideshare, and short-term transportation tied to school or work. Not a loan.
Who it's for: Students in an industry credential, undergraduate or master's program in CS, IT, data science, engineering, math, cybersecurity, physics or skilled trades at a 2- or 4-year US college.
Deadline: Rolling.
How to apply: Last Mile common application (Caravan portal).
Official page
Checked Oct 10, 2026 · Last Mile Education Fund with Ford Philanthropy, Uber, Rocket Community Fund
Applied Materials Momentum Fund
For transfer/bachelor's students
Funding for unexpected financial obstacles; recipients can connect with Applied Materials for internships and full-time roles.
Who it's for: Engineering students within 4 semesters of a bachelor's, or in a master's (same majors as Semiconductor Pathways).
Deadline: Rolling.
How to apply: Last Mile common application (Caravan portal).
Official page
Checked Oct 10, 2026 · Last Mile Education Fund with Applied Materials
Capital IDEA Houston
Fully funds education and training (certifications up to an associate degree at Houston City College), plus case management and job connections.
Who it's for: Houston and Harris County adults who are unemployed or in lower-paying jobs; Career My Way for ages 18 to 24.
How to apply: 3-minute interest form on the official site.
Official page
Checked Oct 10, 2026 · Capital IDEA Houston (nonprofit)
Child Care Scholarships
Subsidized child care for up to 12 months while you work, train or job search (children up to 19 with a documented disability).
Who it's for: Low-to-moderate income parents who work, attend workforce education or training, or are job seeking.
Deadline: Waitlist currently in place; about 20 days to process once your application is complete.
How to apply: Apply through the statewide KinderConnect system.
Official page
Checked Oct 10, 2026 · Workforce Solutions - Gulf Coast (Texas Workforce Commission network)
Dow Last Mile Fund for Manufacturing & Skilled Trades
A gift, not a loan, for a specific expense you cannot cover this term: tuition or fees, tools or certification costs, rent or utilities, gas or transportation, groceries, medical expenses or child care.
Who it's for: Associate degree or certificate students in manufacturing or skilled trades who attend school or live within 50 miles of a Dow community, and have finished at least two semesters or half of the program (you may apply during your second semester).
Official: up to $5,000.
The official Dow map lists Houston as a Dow community, along with Alvin, Angleton, Deer Park, La Porte, Lake Jackson, Orange, Port Arthur, Seadrift and Texas City.
Deadline: Applications open 24/7, rolling review.
How to apply: Start the Last Mile application from the official page.
Official page
Checked Oct 11, 2026 · Last Mile Education Fund with Dow
Gulf Coast Region Apprenticeship Hub
Connects learners with employers offering registered apprenticeships, plus information on funding apprenticeship programs.
Who it's for: Job seekers who want an apprenticeship.
How to apply: Start from the hub page.
Official page
Checked Oct 10, 2026 · Houston City College
Hire Gulf Coast Youth (HGCY) incl. WIOA Youth and Summer Jobs
Career exploration, paid internships, job shadows and pre-apprenticeships, plus training scholarships for tuition, books and credentials for WIOA-eligible youth. The Summer Jobs Program is open to all youth.
Who it's for: Youth ages 14 to 24.
Deadline: Summer Jobs is seasonal (dates not stated).
How to apply: Contact Hire Gulf Coast Youth through the official page or a career office.
Official page
Checked Oct 10, 2026 · Workforce Solutions - Gulf Coast (Texas Workforce Commission network)
National Math Talent Fund
A gift for unexpected barriers (housing, transportation, equipment, fees), plus MAA chapter connections and mentoring.
Who it's for: Undergraduates in math or quantitative science (including future math teachers) at 2- or 4-year colleges, at least halfway through their program.
Official: awards typically under $3,000.
Deadline: Rolling.
How to apply: Last Mile common application (Caravan portal).
Official page
Checked Oct 10, 2026 · Last Mile Education Fund (with MAA network)
Paid Work Experience / Work-Based Learning
Paid, short-term work experience: internships, apprenticeships and job shadowing. Workforce Solutions handles payroll, workers' comp and screenings.
Who it's for: Job seekers who want paid, short-term work experience.
Official: Workforce Solutions covers 100% of wages for the first 240 hours (typically 8 to 12 weeks).
Deadline: Ongoing.
How to apply: Through a Workforce Solutions career advisor.
Official page
Checked Oct 10, 2026 · Workforce Solutions - Gulf Coast (Texas Workforce Commission network)
Reboot Representation Transfer Success Fund
Help during and after the move from a community college into a computing bachelor's.
Who it's for: BLNA (Black, Latina and Native American) students transferring from a community college into a computing bachelor's (CS, IS, data science, MIS).
Official: Emergency Fund up to $595 during the transfer process; Bridge Fund up to $4,500 after you enroll.
Deadline: Rolling. Official: you must be on track to graduate with the computing bachelor's by Dec 31, 2026.
Re-check: the Dec 31, 2026 graduation cutoff may change.
How to apply: Last Mile common application (Caravan portal).
Official page
Checked Oct 10, 2026 · Last Mile Education Fund (Reboot Representation Coalition)
Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship
Paid on-the-job training plus classroom instruction; employers cover training costs; leads to a DOL-recognized credential. Pre-apprenticeship helps you get ready.
Who it's for: New workforce entrants, career changers and employees upskilling. No experience needed for pre-apprenticeship.
Deadline: Ongoing.
How to apply: Through Workforce Solutions. See also the Gulf Coast Region Apprenticeship Hub card.
Official page
Checked Oct 10, 2026 · Workforce Solutions - Gulf Coast (Texas Workforce Commission network)
Semiconductor Pathways Fund
For transfer/bachelor's students
Funding for unexpected financial obstacles to graduation. Partners include Applied Materials, Lam Research, KLA, AMD and Cadence.
Who it's for: Engineering students within 4 semesters of a bachelor's, or in a master's, in listed majors (computer, electrical, mechatronics and robotics, manufacturing, materials, industrial, systems).
Deadline: Rolling.
How to apply: Last Mile common application (Caravan portal).
Official page
Checked Oct 10, 2026 · Last Mile Education Fund with Applied Materials, Lam Research, KLA, AMD, Cadence
Veteran Services (incl. College Credit for Heroes, Hiring Red, White & You!)
Skill mapping to Houston jobs, veteran job search seminars, College Credit for Heroes (military training to college credit) and an annual statewide job fair.
Who it's for: Veterans, transitioning service members and military families.
Deadline: Job fair held each November.
How to apply: Visit a career office or book a virtual appointment.
Official page
Checked Oct 10, 2026 · Workforce Solutions - Gulf Coast (Texas Workforce Commission network)
On-the-Job Training (OJT)
Paid training in the job itself, with mentoring, to move into a new career without going back to school.
Who it's for: Career changers and re-entering workers.
Deadline: Ongoing.
How to apply: Through Workforce Solutions.
Official page
Checked Oct 10, 2026 · Workforce Solutions - Gulf Coast (Texas Workforce Commission network)
SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T)
Employment planning and connection to Workforce Solutions services.
Who it's for: SNAP recipients who received a Workforce Solutions SNAP appointment letter.
Deadline: Schedule before the reporting date on your letter.
How to apply: Set up a WorkInTexas.com profile, upload I-9 documents, then schedule SNAP Orientation at a career office.
Official page
Checked Oct 10, 2026 · Workforce Solutions - Gulf Coast (Texas Workforce Commission network)