Closing the Skills Gap: How Per Scholas and Social Finance Are Transforming Workforce Access with Living Expense Support

As the conversation around workforce development grows louder, one challenge continues to surface: while many training programs offer no-cost or low-cost courses, far fewer address the full cost of being a learner, including basic living expenses. A recent article from Workshift titled “Want to Close the Skills Gap? Cover Living Expenses, Not Just Tuition” explores this critical gap and highlights how to improve outcomes for learners and employers alike.

Per Scholas, a national nonprofit that provides no-cost technology training to communities across the nation, is doing just that. They’re working to remove financial barriers beyond tuition. In partnership with Social Finance, Per Scholas launched an innovative Zero Percent Loan initiative, offering learners interest-free loans to help cover living costs during their training. This effort reflects a broader understanding that economic stability is foundational to educational success and long-term career growth.

The results of this approach are compelling. As outlined in Per Scholas’ Whitepaper, The Zero Percent Loan: Transforming Workforce Access, the training supports learners with critical resources at a crucial time, helping learners focus on their courses without sacrificing basic needs. This whitepaper details how even modest support for rent, food, and transportation can dramatically increase retention and job placement rates.

One shining example of the impact is Tori Haynes, an alumna of Per Scholas Baltimore. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted her work as a security guard and professional DJ, Tori pivoted toward a new future in tech. After being encouraged by a Per Scholas alum during a job interview, she enrolled in the IT Support training. While the no-cost nature of the course was appealing, it was the $3,000 Zero Percent Loan that made it truly viable.

“When I found out I got the loan, it was such a relief,” Tori shared. “It allowed me to concentrate fully on my studies and gave me a cushion so I didn’t have to work constantly to make ends meet.” Tori went on to land a role as an IT Support Specialist at MCB Real Estate, describing the program as “life-changing.”

Per Scholas’ partnership with Social Finance is a forward-thinking model of what workforce development must become—one that acknowledges the financial reality of adult learners and works to eliminate it as a barrier to success.

As we look to close the skills gap in a meaningful, inclusive way, solutions like the Zero Percent Loan serve as proof that it’s not just about no-cost tuition—it’s about full support for the learner.