Let’s face it—coding bootcamp ain’t cheap. Tuition can be high. On average, it runs between $10,000 and $20,000 to attend a coding bootcamp. To address this, many schools have begun to offer income sharing agreements (ISA). With an ISA, you pay only a small deposit upfront and then the remainder once you begin working as a developer. But, that figure doesn’t include book costs or living expenses, both of which are sort of necessary for, you know, survival.
With such hefty expenses, it’s essential to explore ways to earn money during coding bootcamp. There are some options out there to let you attend coding bootcamp and not come out on the other side wallowing in a financial pit of despair.
In this guide, we have gathered a few of such options to help you along your path. Discover how to stay liquid during the depths of coding bootcamp with our article on How to Earn Money During Coding Bootcamp.
Keep Working at Your Old Job
Working during bootcamp is a tough way to go, but you might be able to earn money during coding bootcamp if you already have a job with a company that hires coders.
Businesses prefer known commodities over taking risks on unknowns. Because you’re a proven worker, there’s a chance that your employer might allow you to shift to a flexible schedule if you intend to find a coding position with them after bootcamp. Let your employer know about your situation, and find out if you can drop to part-time. You’ll be surprised at how willing companies are to accommodate you for the chance to snag a bright, shiny new coder.
Take a Paid Internship
Many companies rely on paid interns as part of their career track. If you look around, you can earn money during coding bootcamp by finding a company that’s willing to hire you part-time as an intern while you’re a student.
These businesses will pay you to work alongside experienced coders for a limited number of hours a week and will give you sufficient time off to attend class and study. The great thing about this option is that it allows you to learn on the job while you get coding bootcamp book-learnin’.
Don’t be afraid to get out there and interview as a prospective coder. It’s worth the effort if you land a gig before even starting class. With this method, you can earn money during bootcamp and know where you’re working when you finish.
Apply for Scholarships
If you don’t try to earn money for coding bootcamp by applying for the many available scholarships, you’re leaving money on the table. Who doesn’t want that sweet, sweet, free money?
Most coding bootcamps partner with interested parties to provide grants and scholarships to students. This is an excellent option for those who need to dedicate all of their time to school.
Unaffiliated individuals and companies offer financial aid for coding bootcamp, too. Check out our scholarship list, and when you shop for schools, find out whether you might qualify for a fee reduction or cash grant.
Find a Bootcamp that Provides a Stipend
Coding bootcamps recognize how difficult it can be to make ends meet while attending class. To that end, some institutions have started offering students the option to earn money during coding bootcamp through monthly stipends.
These bootcamps operate under the “deferred tuition” model, but they go a step further and include living expenses as a deferred payment. The coding bootcamp Thinkful, for example, offers students who live in Denver, Minneapolis, and Atlanta a stipend of $1,500 a month.
That sort of stipend can make a big difference to a student—for many, it covers rent and food and allows them to focus on school.
Get a Financial Boost During Bootcamp
Coding bootcamp is already hard enough. The last thing you need is to have to worry about expenses while you’re busy soaking up coding skills.
That’s why we developed this guide. If you explore your options, you can find a viable solution that will let you pursue your coding dream without breaking your bank account.
Don’t let finances stand in the way of happiness and career satisfaction with our tips on how to earn money during coding bootcamp!
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
