Welcome! Below is the application for OAR's 2024 Synchrony Tech Scholarship.
The Synchrony Tech Scholarship supports autistic adults interested in obtaining technology-related certifications to pursue or advance their careers in the technology sector. This includes, but is not limited to, the following areas: cybersecurity, game/app development, web development, machine learning, data analytics, cloud computing, ethical hacking, and artificial intelligence. Programs must be completed through an accredited university or program. Third-party vendor certificates (I.E., Coursera, etc.) and 2 or 4-year degree programs will not be accepted.
Funding: Scholarship award amounts will depend on the technology-related certification program but can range from $500 to $5,000. Funds can be applied to cover tuition and/or program-related expenses.
Eligibility:
Open to all autistic adults 18 years of age or older who are eligible to work in the United States
Have a documented medical or educational autism diagnosis
The selected certification program must start at least 90 days after application submission and be able to be completed in approximately 1 year of the award date
Preference will be given to applicants registered on the Hire Autism website
Cannot be a previous recipient of the Synchrony Tech Scholarship
Please refer to this checklist to ensure you meet the requirements and that your program is eligible for the Synchrony Tech Scholarship.
Application: You do not need to complete this application all in one sitting. You may save the application as a draft until it is complete and then submit it when you are done. The application includes the following:
Basic demographic information
Responses to essay questions - (written answers, audio recording, or slideshow are accepted)
Program description and cost breakdown from the program website, as well as course schedule (if available)
Resume upload (Optional)
A letter of recommendation from a non-relative
Scholarship applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through December 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET. However, priority review dates are May 1 and October 1.
Note: You do not need to include proof of diagnosis with the application. OAR will only require proof of diagnosis from applicants identified as finalists. However, each applicant should review the Proof of Diagnosis Checklist on OAR’s website before applying to ensure that they will have the required documentation if chosen as a finalist. Proof of diagnosis is based on diagnostic criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), either DSM-IV or DSM-V.
Scholarship recipients will have the option to be paired with a mentor from Synchrony who can support the recipient through the certification process and provide guidance on how to enter the tech sector.
For more information on any of OAR's scholarships, please refer to our Scholarships page or our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. If you have further questions, please contact scholarship@researchautism.org or call (703) 216-1372.
The Synchrony Tech Scholarship
Welcome! Below is the application for OAR's 2024 Synchrony Tech Scholarship.
The Synchrony Tech Scholarship supports autistic adults interested in obtaining technology-related certifications to pursue or advance their careers in the technology sector. This includes, but is not limited to, the following areas: cybersecurity, game/app development, web development, machine learning, data analytics, cloud computing, ethical hacking, and artificial intelligence. Programs must be completed through an accredited university or program. Third-party vendor certificates (I.E., Coursera, etc.) and 2 or 4-year degree programs will not be accepted.
Funding: Scholarship award amounts will depend on the technology-related certification program but can range from $500 to $5,000. Funds can be applied to cover tuition and/or program-related expenses.
Eligibility:
Open to all autistic adults 18 years of age or older who are eligible to work in the United States
Have a documented medical or educational autism diagnosis
The selected certification program must start at least 90 days after application submission and be able to be completed in approximately 1 year of the award date
Preference will be given to applicants registered on the Hire Autism website
Cannot be a previous recipient of the Synchrony Tech Scholarship
Please refer to this checklist to ensure you meet the requirements and that your program is eligible for the Synchrony Tech Scholarship.
Application: You do not need to complete this application all in one sitting. You may save the application as a draft until it is complete and then submit it when you are done. The application includes the following:
Basic demographic information
Responses to essay questions - (written answers, audio recording, or slideshow are accepted)
Program description and cost breakdown from the program website, as well as course schedule (if available)
Resume upload (Optional)
A letter of recommendation from a non-relative
Scholarship applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through December 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET. However, priority review dates are May 1 and October 1.
Note: You do not need to include proof of diagnosis with the application. OAR will only require proof of diagnosis from applicants identified as finalists. However, each applicant should review the Proof of Diagnosis Checklist on OAR’s website before applying to ensure that they will have the required documentation if chosen as a finalist. Proof of diagnosis is based on diagnostic criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), either DSM-IV or DSM-V.
Scholarship recipients will have the option to be paired with a mentor from Synchrony who can support the recipient through the certification process and provide guidance on how to enter the tech sector.
For more information on any of OAR's scholarships, please refer to our Scholarships page or our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. If you have further questions, please contact scholarship@researchautism.org or call (703) 216-1372.