Scholarship Details
- Up to $40,000 in scholarship funds
- Mentorship from LinkedIn engineers
- College navigation support and supplemental learning
- Opportunities to attend hackathons and tech conferences
- Exposure to careers and pathways into tech
[in] their own words
- I have not yet started a full-time college program.
- I plan to begin my degree at a full time at a not-for-profit, accredited college or university in the United States starting in Fall 2026.
- I am planning to complete a degree in Computer Science or similar
- I hope to work in a software engineering role (including AI, ML, or similar software development) after college
- I am excited for the opportunity to travel (expenses paid) to participate in experiential learning 1-2x per year including in the summer throughout the four-year program.
- I am excited to participate in community building and career development events during college.
- I am committed to bringing my unique experiences and perspectives to future tech big dreamers.
Possibilities in Tech is open to all, and selection decisions are not based on race, gender, or any other protected class. Winners are selected based on strong demonstrated passion and skill in technology as well as financial need as measured by the FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI).
Program Requirements
Recipients will commit to the following:
Cohort Kickoff:
- Three days in Mountain View, California (all expenses paid) the summer before Freshman year
Mentorship, Supplemental Learning, & Coaching:
- Mentorship: monthly meetings with your assigned LinkedIn mentor in engineering
- Supplemental Learning: up to 5 hours per semester
- Coaching: 30-minute monthly check-ins with the Program Team
Technical Skill-Building:
- Opportunities to learn from and alongside LinkedIn engineers while building a portfolio of work to enhance career readiness
The nature of this program and its components, including mentorship, supplemental learning, and the kickoff event, is solely to benefit the participants of the program.
Joining the Cohort
All programming will be designed to support our 4 pillars of college and career persistence. If selected, here is what you can expect:
Financial Independence
- Funds for your education ($10,000 annually)
- A company-provided laptop
- Access to LinkedIn Learning content to help you build financial independence skills
- Coaching and mentoring opportunities to support your financial journey in college and beyond
Readiness for Career in Technology
- Support with course selection
- Mentorship from LinkedIn engineers and leaders
- Technical projects designed by LinkedIn engineers
- Support to help you better navigate the process for applying for a Computer Science related role, such as interview preparation and understanding what options are available (i.e., internship positions)
Sense of Belonging
- An onsite kickoff at our LinkedIn Headquarters (expenses covered) to provide you the opportunity to connect, network and experience our culture
- Dedicated mentors from relevant backgrounds to support your journey through school
- A curriculum focused on how to find communities that match your experience and interest on campus
- Opportunities to network with LinkedIn leaders from our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
Self-Advocacy and Getting Help
- A curriculum designed to help you build skills to thrive in college and beyond
- Mentorship to both challenge and support your habit building
- A network of caring and trustworthy peers whom you can ask for support with challenges as well as celebrate your accomplishments
We know that students are set up to thrive when they have caring advocates in their corner. Thank you for sharing this information with young people in your communities who may be interested in a career in tech.
Key details below:
- Application Criteria
- Key Dates: The application will open in December. If invited to interview, interviews will take place virtually in early April. Applicants will be notified of their application status by the end of April.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am already in college. Can I apply for a future year?
No. This program is only for rising first year students.
I am a graduate student or community college student, can I apply?
No. The program will focus on students enrolled at 4-year institutions for undergraduate degrees in the United States.
I am an international student attending school in the US on a student visa. Am I eligible?
No. At this time, the scholarship is for students attending high school in the United States who plan to continue college in the United States.
I am a DACA recipient, TPS or Asylee, am I eligible?
Yes.
How will recipients be chosen?
Applicants who meet basic eligibility criteria will be reviewed, and a selection of candidates will be invited to interview.
Interviews will assess interest, curiosity, and exposure to technology as well as assessing how candidates will engage in required events and learning opportunities. Winners are selected based on strong demonstrated passion and skill in technology as well as financial need as measured by the FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI).
What majors are acceptable for the scholarship program?
More than a major, we require students' course of study to include foundational courses in Computer Science, including introductory programming, discrete math, data structures and algorithms, and experience with object-oriented programming languages. We have seen students major in any of the following as long as their combination of major, concentration, and/or minor includes the above coursework:
- Computer Science
- Software Engineering
- Web Development
- Computer Programming
- Computer Software & Applications
- Software Design
- Data Science
- Data Analytics
- Math
If you have specific questions about the intended major, you can reach out to ScholarshipTeam@linkedin.com with questions.
We would love to see your application! Our applications for the next cohort will launch in December 2025.
Please note:
- You can save your place in the application and resume throughout.
You will need:
- Transcript (unofficial transcripts and screenshots are acceptable) that includes grades from the first semester of your high school senior year
- A letter of recommendation from someone who understands your interests and background in STEM and their contact information
- Financial information (household income, expected costs of college, any debts – we highly encourage you to complete FAFSA before applying to our program)
- Parental or legal guardian consent, if you are under 18 years old
How much is the scholarship award each year?
Winners will be granted a $10,000 scholarship paid to students directly (2 payments of $5,000 per year).
Does the scholarship renew each year?
The scholarship can be renewed 3 times to be used for 4 years of study towards a bachelor's degree. Renewal is dependent on maintaining good academic standing.
Students who take time off and require more time to complete degrees may pause funding to accommodate this. Circumstances will be evaluated case by case.
What does the scholarship money cover?
he funds can be used for anything offsetting your college expenses. For the scholarship award to be tax-free, students must use it on qualified educational expenses per the IRS guidelines.
What if I change my major away from Computer Science?
The scholarship is only available for students studying Computer Science or an aligned and approved field. If a student is not continuing to take computer science classes at a C+ or above average, the scholarship may not be renewed for the following term.
What if my GPA falls below a C+ average?
The Program Team will work with you to develop a support plan to increase your GPA. Multiple semesters below a C+ average may lead to an inability to renew your scholarship.
What if I need to switch to part time?
We understand that life can get in the way of continuing a full-time course load. We will consider each circumstance case by case.
I (may) have a conflict during the Kickoff Trip dates. Can I apply?
The Kickoff Trip is a mandatory component of the scholarship program. Unless a winner has an approved medical exception or emergency, we require attendance to be part of the program.
What costs are associated with the Kickoff Trip?
LinkedIn will cover the full costs of travel, food and lodging during the trip.
I have a disability that requires me to work remotely. Can I apply?
Yes. The in-person programming will be made virtually accessible on a case-by-case basis.
What is expected of participants during the year?
Participants will be expected to participate in up to 5 hours per month of mentorship, curriculum, community building, and learning experiences aligned with our four program pillars:
- Financial Independence
- Sense of Belonging
- Readiness for Career in Technology
- Self-Advocacy & Getting Help
- Failure to participate in these sessions will result in losing funding
- NOTE: All in-person offerings will be fully paid by LinkedIn and will not have cost to scholarship participants
Will this program teach me coding skills?
No. The goal of the program is to enhance the learning happening in your Computer Science courses. Students are expected to maintain good academic standing in Computer Science coursework to maintain their scholarship funding.
Do winners get to complete an internship with LinkedIn?
This is not an employment opportunity. Students who maintain active participation in the program and strong academic standing will be supported in applying and preparing for internships when they reach an eligible academic year.














