National Capital Region

Per Scholas National Capital Region offers no-cost hands-on technology training to residents of Silver Spring, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, Charles County, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia. We help companies find the tech talent they need to meet their business goals, and connect alumni directly with job opportunities at employer partners. We are accessible by Montgomery County transit and is located in Silver Spring.

Prospective Learners

I want no-cost training for a career in tech.

Become a Learner

Tech Talent Solutions

I need tech talent for my company.

Hire Talent

Where our Alumni Work

Unlock Your Potential

Hands-on Technology Training: Gain technical skills, career mentorship, and industry-recognized certifications at no cost to learners.

Learner Support: Take financial control and design success plans for personal goals, wellness, and more.

Career Coaching: Prepare for success with mock interviews, resume refreshes, and other job search prep.

Career Connections: Find opportunities through our network of 25k+ alumni and 850+ employer partners in the National Capital Region and across the country.

Courses in the National Capital Region

Cloud

AWS re/Start Training in The National Capital Region

Grow Your Career in Tech - Some Technical Knowledge Recommended

Get ready to grow in your journey in the tech industry with the skills top employers are looking for. In just 15 weeks, this immersive, hands-on course will prepare you for high-demand Cloud Support Associate or Junior Systems Administrator roles. You will master foundational cloud concepts and core AWS services across compute, storage, networking, and security. This course is designed for individuals seeking to start a cloud computing and IT career and focuses on:

AWS Fundamentals & Architecture – Covering foundational concepts across AWS service categories (compute, databases, storage, networking, and security) and adhering to the AWS Well-Architected Framework
Security and Governance – Implementing security best practices and managing core AWS services like IAM, CloudTrail, and Config to protect resources and enforce compliance
Automation and Optimization – Developing automation scripts using Python, applying DevOps principles, and learning to optimize AWS services for cost efficiency
Certification & AI Integration – Preparing for and earning the industry-recognized AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification, along with an introduction to AI-based services on AWS

Certifications AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

Partners

Remote

Next Course Starts October 27th, 2025

Application Due October 13th, 2025

Systems Support

IT Support Training in The National Capital Region

Launch Your Career in Tech - No Experience Needed

Get ready to break into the tech industry with the skills top employers are looking for. In just a few weeks, this immersive, hands-on course will prepare you for high-demand IT Support roles by covering:

IT Support Fundamentals – Understand and troubleshoot a variety of IT systems and configurations
Computer Hardware and Operating Systems – Install and configure servers, networks, and key devices used in enterprise environments
Security Tools & Best Practices – Learn how to secure workstations, networks, and mobile devices
Industry Certifications – Gain credentials that open doors to great opportunities

0% interest loan

Certifications CompTIA A+, Google IT Support Professional Certificate

In-Person
Remote
Hybrid

Next Course Starts November 10th, 2025

Application Due October 27th, 2025

Meet Mishelle Esser

I knew I needed to return to IT, but spending $20,000 on a bootcamp just wasn’t feasible. Per Scholas offered the support and structure I needed to build my skills and prepare for the future.

Meet Mishelle Esser

View all graduate success stories

Interested in hiring a Per Scholas Graduate?
Learn More

Per Scholas Talent Solutions recruits high-performing, diverse candidates that will drive positive business outcomes and add value to your company. Per Scholas Training equips all talent with in-demand technical skills, industry-recognized certifications, and stackable credentials, and professional development and soft skills training. The Per Scholas Talent Solutions team works closely with employer partners to match graduates to open roles.

Diverse Hires for Technology Roles

Qualified Help Desk Analysts, Desktop Support Technicians, Salesforce Administrators, and many more…
Talent Solutions Plus Matching Services

Save time looking for hires. We get to know your business and culture so we can strategically identify job-ready and interview-ready candidates for your opportunity.
Early Access Interviewing

Interview Per Scholas graduates or gain early access to our talent pool by meeting candidates who are still in training.
Talent Match Guarantee

If talent does not work out for any reason in the first 90 days, Talent Solutions Plus provides additional matching services at no cost.

Need to hire tech talent in the National Capital Region? Let’s start a conversation.

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Volunteer

Per Scholas offers volunteer engagement opportunities for professionals and organizations in the National Capital Region. Volunteer Days include mock interviews and mentoring sessions with Per Scholas Learners, and there are many more ways to get involved. Individuals interested in helping to drive our impact are invited to share their unique skills and expertise with our National Capital Region Learner and Alumni community.

Get involved

Donate to Per Scholas

For more than 25 years, our dedicated network of funders, partners, and individual donors has empowered more than 25,000 Per Scholas Graduates to unlock their potential through rigorous training for tech careers. Help us change the face of tech by becoming a donor today.

Donate Today

Learn about our Partners & Supporters

Our National Capital Region Team

Tesfaye Bayuh

Technical Instructor, National Capital Region

Carlos Cooper

Teaching Fellow (IT Support), National Capital Region

Lionel Davis

Associate, Recruitment & Admissions, National Capital Region

Sara Foster

Manager, Recruitment & Admissions, National Capital Region

LaShika Howard

Director, Talent Solutions, National Capital Region

Tigist Tadesse

Manager, Professional Development, National Capital Region

Julius Kioko

Technical Instructor, National Capital Region

Monique Singleton

Site Director, National Capital Region

Keionna Yarborough

Technical Instructor, National Capital Region

Dimitri Richardson

Manager Talent Solutions, National Capital Region

Estefany Escoto

Manager Talent Solutions, National Capital Region

Gary Chapman

Interim Managing Director, National Capital Region

Okole Bashonga

Instructional Assistant, National Capital Region

Prasanthy Tallam Yella

Instructional Assistant, National Capital Region

Anna Aponesto

Manager, Alumni Recruiter, National Capital Region

Frequently Asked Questions

What is free IT training?: Per Scholas’ free IT training is a program designed to provide tuition-free training in various aspects of information technology to residents of the Washington DC area. This training is open to anyone who wants to unlock their potential, skills, and knowledge in the field, regardless of their prior experience or financial resources. We’re able to provide free training through grant funding and do not ever ask for payment or income sharing from our graduates.
Which free IT courses are available in Washington DC?: Our free IT course programs in Washington DC are always changing as we are constantly building new opportunities and course offerings to serve our learners and the market in your community. To stay up to date on the courses offered in your area, please check the location page above.
Are the free IT courses available online or in-person in Washington DC?: Per Scholas offers our tuition-free training in-person, remote, and hybrid, depending on the courses in Washington DC. Our course schedule constantly changes as we schedule our 3-4 month sessions, including whether courses are online or in-person. Please refer to your location’s current course schedule above and individual course page to see if the course you are interested in is remote, in-person, or hybrid.
How can I apply for the tuition-free program in Washington DC?: To apply for our tuition-free IT programs in Washington DC, you can visit our website and fill out our eligibility form. Our admissions team will review your application and reach out to you with more information about the program and the next steps to unlocking your potential.
Are there any prerequisites for the free IT certification programs in Washington DC?: Each Per Scholas training program has its own prerequisites, which are listed on our course pages. We encourage you to review any requirements prior to applying to free IT programs in Washington DC.
Are the free IT training programs open to everyone in Washington DC?: Our free IT training program in Washington DC is open to anyone who meets the income requirements, wants to develop their skills and knowledge in the field of information technology, and is a resident of the Washington DC metro area. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and experience levels to apply and join our community of learners in Washington DC.
How long are the tuiton-free IT courses in Washington DC?: Our courses in Washington DC are 12-16 weeks (3-4 months), depending on the course. The time commitment includes full-time (40 hours per week), Monday-Friday.
Is Per Scholas a paid opportunity?: Per Scholas does not pay learners to attend training. This is because we offer up to $15k of cost-free training to each learner as well as 2 years of additional training opportunities, coaching, and professional development. On a case-by-case basis, our learners may be eligible for direct financial assistance. Each learner has a dedicated Learner Support Manager and Financial Coach to support them throughout the course and determine if they are able to receive additional financial resources when available.
Does Per Scholas help you get a job?: Per Scholas has partnerships with employers in each market in which we operate, where our learners and alumni have the opportunity to connect with our hiring partners. Alternatively, if you’re interested in hiring a Per Scholas graduate, visit enterprise.perscholas.org.
Can I hire a Per Scholas graduate?: If you’re interested in hiring a Per Scholas graduate, visit enterprise.perscholas.org.

Location

National Capital Region

1400 Spring Street, Suite 501
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Phone: (301) 557-9200