Every day, we hear questions like:
- Can I apply if I don’t have a degree?”
- “What if I have zero experience in this field?”
- “I work full-time—will I have time for this?”
If you’re asking yourself the same things, this guide is for you.
At Merit America, we’re a nonprofit workforce development program built for working adults—especially those stuck in low-wage jobs—who want to transition into higher-paying careers. Our programs are designed for people who need flexibility, practical skills, and guided support to apply them—not another degree.
So far, more than 14,000 Merit America alumni have made successful career changes through our programs. We’re proud of our 80% program completion rate and an average annual wage increase of $24,000, three months or more after program completion. Over 500 leading employers have hired our alumni—and you could be next.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Merit America’s eligibility requirements so you can feel confident about applying
Merit America Program Eligibility Requirements
Let’s start with what you don’t need in order to apply.
You don’t need a four-year degree, previous experience in tech, or any formal industry credentials. For example, if you’re interested in our Project Management Career Track, you don’t need a business degree or current management role. We welcome learners from all backgrounds and make career changes possible without:
- Spending the next four years getting another college degree
- Feeling like you have to start your career over again
- Losing years of your life (and most of your self-confidence) trying to self-teach on YouTube
We get it—change can feel overwhelming. A lot of options out there are expensive, time-consuming, or leave you figuring it out on your own.
That’s why we’ve built a guided, flexible, and supportive job training program to help you achieve your goals—whether that’s landing a higher-paying job, finding remote work in 2025, transitioning into tech, or creating more time for what matters most.
Now, let’s break down what’s actually required to join Merit America.
1. You have to have a high school diploma or GED.
We require participants to have a high school diploma or GED.
Why?
Our alumni come from a wide range of backgrounds—from gig workers to professionals with 5+ years of workforce experience. To ensure every learner is set up for success, we require a baseline level of education. This helps you get the most out of our training and increases your chances of landing a higher-paying career.
A high school diploma or GED is also a basic requirement for most career-track jobs. In fact, 72% of jobs in the U.S. require a college degree or some form of post-secondary training, according to a Georgetown University Center report.
Our priority is helping you gain family-sustaining employment. Because a high school diploma or GED is required for most career-track opportunities, our program may not be the right fit at this time—but we encourage you to keep exploring pathways that support your career goals.
2. You must be a fluent English speaker, reader, and writer.
You’ve probably heard that bilingual professionals are highly sought after. In fact, people who speak more than one language often earn 5% to 20% more than those who don’t. On the other hand, not being able to communicate effectively in English can be a major barrier in many workplaces.
And for good reason. According to an English language assessment and instruction organization:
“In today’s interconnected world, English has established itself as the dominant language in international business. This phenomenon can be attributed to the expansion of multinational corporations that operate across various countries and cultures, often using English as their primary means of communication. The prevalence of English in corporate settings reflects not just a trend but a necessity for effective collaboration and negotiation in a diverse marketplace.”
At Merit America, English fluency is important for success—not just in our programs, but in the types of careers we help you pursue. You’ll need to comfortably read, write, and speak English in professional settings to get the most out of your experience.
Wondering what “fluent” means?
If you’re reading this blog, you’re likely good to go! English fluency helps ensure that you can fully engage in our program, collaborate effectively in squad meetings and coaching sessions, and confidently apply for roles we provide.
3. You must be a resident of the U.S. and authorized to work in the U.S.
Although Merit America is a fully remote program that operates nationwide, we design our program specifically to support learners pursuing careers in the U.S.—including the time zones we operate in, our employer opportunities, and the job search strategies we teach. If you are not a resident of the U.S., our program is not the right fit for you at this time.
To be eligible, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- You are a resident of the United States
- You are a resident of a U.S. territory
- You are a DACA recipient or temporary resident with a visa or status that will not expire within six months of your Immersion start date
4. You must be 18 years of age or older.
We’re thrilled about your enthusiasm to improve your life! However, if you are younger than 18, you do not currently qualify for Merit America.
Like many of our other requirements, this is tied to work eligibility. Most employers require candidates to be at least 18 years old, which can significantly impact your employment opportunities.
5. You will be seeking full-time employment upon completion of the program.
Our job placement support focuses on full-time roles that offer stability and long-term career growth. While the skills you gain can certainly be applied to part-time or contract work, our services—including 1:1 career coaching, access to open roles, and proven job search strategies—are specifically designed to help you secure a full-time opportunity.
As you apply, it’s important to know that our programs are built for learners who are ready to pursue full-time employment upon program-completion.
Our goal is to equip you with the technical skills, career coaching, and professional development you need to make a successful career transition—and we’ll be with you every step of the way so you never have to navigate the job search alone.
And we stand by our commitment. With the Merit America Guarantee, if you don’t earn at least $40,000 within two years after completing the Immersion phase of your program, you’ll be eligible for a complete refund.
📌 Keep in mind that changes in your eligibility may result in removal from the program.
Device Requirements
To fully participate in Merit America’s programs, you’ll need access to a device that meets our minimum technical requirements. This ensures you can engage in weekly squad sessions, 1:1 coaching, and virtual hands-on activities without interruption.
- A laptop or desktop computer with at least 8GB of RAM
- Operating System: Windows 8+ or macOS 10.15.1 Catalina or newer
- Processor: Intel Pentium 2 GHz or faster, or an equivalent processor
- Minimum of 50 GB of disk space available
- High-speed internet access
- A webcam with audio input
📌 Please note that Chromebooks, iPads, and other tablets do not meet the necessary requirements as they do not have the processing power required to complete the program effectively.
We understand that not everyone has immediate access to the required technology. If you complete the admissions process, meet all other eligibility requirements, and indicate that you don’t have a device that meets our requirements, you may qualify for our Admissions Device Grant Program. If eligible, you’ll receive an email with details about the device grant.
Here’s how it works:
- You’ll need to confirm your interest within three days and share how you plan to cover any remaining costs.
- If you choose the Zero Percent Loan to fund your program, complete the loan application within three days of receiving your offer.
- After approval, you’ll have three days to order your device or provide your shipping address.
It’s Time to Join Merit America
If you’re thinking about making a career change but aren’t sure if you’re qualified—Merit America was built for learners like you.
Whether you have no experience in the field, are working full-time, balancing caregiving responsibilities, or simply unsure how to start, our team is here to support you. We’ll answer your questions and show you how our programs are designed to work around your life, not the other way around.
Reach out to admissions@meritamerica.org if you have questions about your eligibility or the application process. You’ll be paired with a dedicated Admissions Advisor who will guide you through what it takes to join Merit America—and share more about the benefits of 1:1 coaching, job placement support, our peer network, employer opportunities, wraparound services, and more.
If you’re ready to get started, we can’t wait to welcome you!
📌 Additional Resources