Launch your new career while shopping with Instacart
Merit America and Instacart are proud to partner to help you learn the skills you need to advance your career. Apply between April 16, 2026 and Sept 1, 2026 for a chance at a $1000 scholarship.
A path that helps you accelerate your career
Merit America is on a mission to create a scalable pathway for workers to join the middle class through merit, not money.
Through our partnership with Instacart, we’re helping shoppers like you earn an industry-recognized credential from Google in as little as 16 weeks, with the flexibility you need to continue working. As part of this partnership, Merit America and Instacart are offering:
Get started in 4 steps
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Apply through this page
Choose your program track and complete the assessment to confirm eligibility.
Apply here to lock in your discount and scholarship eligibility. -
Verify your Instacart status
Email a screenshot of your active Shopper profile to instacartverification@meritamerica.org
Takes less than 2 minutes. Must be done before your program starts. -
Enroll in your program
Confirm your admission and you’ll receive the scholarship application via email.
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Complete your scholarship essay
Answer one short essay about how the program supports your goals. You’ll be notified at Week 4.
Even if not selected, you still receive the $250 discount.
Requirements and Selection Details
We are excited to announce that in partnership with Instacart, we are awarding 20 Instacart-funded scholarships to eligible shoppers to help remove financial barriers for those pursuing career training.
Each scholarship is worth $1,000.
If selected and you complete the program, $1,000 is applied to reduce your total cost.
If selected but you don’t complete the program, the scholarship is not applied.
Not selected? You still receive a $250 discount on your program just for applying.
How to apply for a scholarship
Follow these steps to complete your application, verify your shopper status, and be considered for funding.
1
Complete the Merit America application
Submit your application and meet our standard eligibility criteria. The application takes about 15 minutes and includes a short skills assessment.
Must apply between April 16 and September 1, 2026.
2
Verify your Instacart Shopper status
Email a screenshot of your active Instacart Shopper profile to instacartverification@meritamerica.org to confirm your scholarship eligibility.
Takes less than 2 minutes. Must be done before your program starts.
3
Confirm admission and enroll
Accept your admission to Merit America and officially enroll in your chosen program track. You’ll receive a scholarship application via email after enrollment.
4
Complete the scholarship essay
Answer one short essay question asking how the program supports your professional and/or personal goals.
Selection is based on the strength of your application and your performance in the program. You’ll be notified of your selection status via email at Week 4.
5
Complete your program by December 31, 2026
Once you successfully complete your program, the $1,000 scholarship is applied to reduce your total Merit America program cost.
Hear From Merit America’s Instacart Shoppers ⤵
Victoria
Project Management“I enjoy speaking with people… I like being a part of the team!” Victoria, an Instacart shopper of over two years, recently began her journey in Merit America’s Project Management track. Inspired by her love for working with people and creating team-driven experiences, she found herself drawn to Project Management. Reflecting on her decision, she noted, “I went to the meetings and they were great.”
Rhiannon
UX Design“I thought UX Design fit my personality and needs the best.” Rhiannon joined Merit America after spending over 2.5 years as a Shopper, discovering a passion for designing user-friendly experiences. With no prior tech experience—remarking, “I didn’t even know this career existed, like, three weeks ago!”—Rhiannon saw Merit America as the perfect opportunity to transform her career.
Cecelia
UX Design“I’m just excited for the opportunity!” Cecelia, a stay-at-home mom of seven and a dedicated homeschooler for over 20 years, discovered Merit America’s UX Design program and was drawn to the opportunity to explore a creative field with Adobe tools. Motivated by her goal for a stable career and the ability to obtain job training with $0 upfront, she’s diving into her studies.
Ready to take the first step? The application takes about 15 minutes.
Apply Here to Claim Your BenefitsLearn in-demand skills without quitting your day job
Our programs are built for working adults—part-time, flexible, and focused on real-world results. You’ll earn industry-recognized credentials from providers like Google while learning the skills employers need most. Choose a career that matches your strengths, skills, and interests.
IT Support
Monitor and manage hardware, software and networks within an organization.
Data Analytics
Analyze raw data for insights and apply those patterns towards decision making.
UX Design
Create user experiences with products that are useful, enjoyable and accessible.
Cybersecurity
Monitor and protect networks, devices, people, and data.
Project Management
Lead projects to ensure successful outcomes through strategic thinking.
Human Resources+
Create workplaces where people and businesses thrive.
Supply Chain
Learn logistics, inventory, and operations management skills.
Semiconductor
Work with tools to build microchips for electronics, cars, and smart devices.
Operations+
Optimize business processes and eliminate bottlenecks using AI-driven strategies
Our alums work for the world’s top companies
Pay $0 upfront
Build a career based on your potential, not your bank account.
- Learn in-demand skills
- Land a great jo
- Pay only after you’re hired
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Work Life Balance
Your third-party coursework and Merit America career coaching services are online. Live meetings are only 3-5 hours per week. You can complete the coursework in-between shopping shifts, on weekends – whatever works for your life.
My Calendar
Monday, January 10
Merit America Program
- Shopping for Instacart 8am – 3pm
- Online Coursework 3pm – 5pm
- Daycare Pick-Up 5:15pm
- Family Dinner 6pm
- 1:1 Career Coaching 8pm
Work with a coach dedicated to your success
Get personalized career coaching and join live, topic-based workshops that fit your schedule, while technical advisors provide dedicated support for your coursework. You choose your own coach and can take advantage of evening and weekend availability, so you always have help when you need it.
Chat
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Michael, Career Coach
How’s your week so far?
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Cora
I’m really struggling with my resume…
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Michael, Career Coach
That makes sense. A lot of people get stuck here, and it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.
We’ll work through your resume together and translate what you’ve been doing into skills employers actually look for. And the timing’s good — you’re only a week away from earning your Google IT Support Certificate.
Thousands of learners have changed their lives without a four year degree
I had no tangible qualifications to put on a resume and couldn’t afford training and exams. Merit provided everything I was looking for.
Yves | IT Helpdesk Technician
Programs like Merit America allow you to open a door that otherwise you would not be able to.
Sandra | Tech Consultant
Attending Merit, has not only equipped me with more tools in the tech field, but it has also brought me a network of support.
Michelle | Web Developer
I had difficulties translating my existing IT experience into new job offers. Merit America was the perfect extra support I needed to begin my career.
Alix | Tech Solutions Coordinator
Merit America is invested in helping people succeed not only in their work life, but in life in general.
Toya | Tech Consultant
I learned a lot of skills I was never taught. The coach meetings gave me the accountability I needed to succeed.
Willie | Tech Support Technician
Merit America has changed so much for me that I couldn’t be more grateful. I’ve felt like I would never get out of the dead end that I was in.
Rey | Marketing Specialist
Merit America has greatly improved my coding abilities, and my job prospects. My professional skills are much better, including searching for jobs!
Bruce | Engineering Apprentice
Everything I learned in the Merit program, I do at my job.
Rhonda | Help Desk Specialist
Merit America gave me the tools and resources to further my learning in IT.
Akilah | T2 Flex Force
It’s a great program that pushes you to learn everyday. The program is set up to help you succeed.
Vi | Software Engineer
My new career in IT has provided me with opportunities for success that I didn’t have before, and I owe my move into this career to Merit America.
Joshua | IT Support Analyst
I’ve always wanted to learn Java and had looked at options available at community colleges. It was going to cost me more and take longer than Merit.
Elizabeth | Software Engineer
At Merit America, I knew I had people — the Merit team as well as my squad — in my corner pushing me and helping me, no matter how tough it got.
Ebauni | IT Support / Business Analyst
Programs like Merit America give people with great minds a chance to pursue their dreams. To any Merit learner, know that you’re in the right place.
Corey | Cloud Operations Support Associate
Through the program I learned how to effectively pitch myself to an employer, and was given great resources to rework both my resume and cover letter.
Shonneri | Operations & Support
I had no tangible qualifications to put on a resume and couldn’t afford training and exams. Merit provided everything I was looking for.
Yves | IT Helpdesk Technician
Programs like Merit America allow you to open a door that otherwise you would not be able to.
Sandra | Tech Consultant
Attending Merit, has not only equipped me with more tools in the tech field, but it has also brought me a network of support.
Michelle | Web Developer
I had difficulties translating my existing IT experience into new job offers. Merit America was the perfect extra support I needed to begin my career.
Alix | Tech Solutions Coordinator
Merit America is invested in helping people succeed not only in their work life, but in life in general.
Toya | Tech Consultant
I learned a lot of skills I was never taught. The coach meetings gave me the accountability I needed to succeed.
Willie | Tech Support Technician
Merit America has changed so much for me that I couldn’t be more grateful. I’ve felt like I would never get out of the dead end that I was in.
Rey | Marketing Specialist
Merit America has greatly improved my coding abilities, and my job prospects. My professional skills are much better, including searching for jobs!
Bruce | Engineering Apprentice
Everything I learned in the Merit program, I do at my job.
Rhonda | Help Desk Specialist
Merit America gave me the tools and resources to further my learning in IT.
Akilah | T2 Flex Force
It’s a great program that pushes you to learn everyday. The program is set up to help you succeed.
Vi | Software Engineer
My new career in IT has provided me with opportunities for success that I didn’t have before, and I owe my move into this career to Merit America.
Joshua | IT Support Analyst
I’ve always wanted to learn Java and had looked at options available at community colleges. It was going to cost me more and take longer than Merit.
Elizabeth | Software Engineer
At Merit America, I knew I had people — the Merit team as well as my squad — in my corner pushing me and helping me, no matter how tough it got.
Ebauni | IT Support / Business Analyst
Programs like Merit America give people with great minds a chance to pursue their dreams. To any Merit learner, know that you’re in the right place.
Corey | Cloud Operations Support Associate
Through the program I learned how to effectively pitch myself to an employer, and was given great resources to rework both my resume and cover letter.
Shonneri | Operations & Support
I had no tangible qualifications to put on a resume and couldn’t afford training and exams. Merit provided everything I was looking for.
Yves | IT Helpdesk Technician
Programs like Merit America allow you to open a door that otherwise you would not be able to.
Sandra | Tech Consultant
Attending Merit, has not only equipped me with more tools in the tech field, but it has also brought me a network of support.
Michelle | Web Developer
I had difficulties translating my existing IT experience into new job offers. Merit America was the perfect extra support I needed to begin my career.
Alix | Tech Solutions Coordinator
Merit America is invested in helping people succeed not only in their work life, but in life in general.
Toya | Tech Consultant
I learned a lot of skills I was never taught. The coach meetings gave me the accountability I needed to succeed.
Willie | Tech Support Technician
Merit America has changed so much for me that I couldn’t be more grateful. I’ve felt like I would never get out of the dead end that I was in.
Rey | Marketing Specialist
Merit America has greatly improved my coding abilities, and my job prospects. My professional skills are much better, including searching for jobs!
Bruce | Engineering Apprentice
Everything I learned in the Merit program, I do at my job.
Rhonda | Help Desk Specialist
Merit America gave me the tools and resources to further my learning in IT.
Akilah | T2 Flex Force
It’s a great program that pushes you to learn everyday. The program is set up to help you succeed.
Vi | Software Engineer
My new career in IT has provided me with opportunities for success that I didn’t have before, and I owe my move into this career to Merit America.
Joshua | IT Support Analyst
I’ve always wanted to learn Java and had looked at options available at community colleges. It was going to cost me more and take longer than Merit.
Elizabeth | Software Engineer
At Merit America, I knew I had people — the Merit team as well as my squad — in my corner pushing me and helping me, no matter how tough it got.
Ebauni | IT Support / Business Analyst
Programs like Merit America give people with great minds a chance to pursue their dreams. To any Merit learner, know that you’re in the right place.
Corey | Cloud Operations Support Associate
Through the program I learned how to effectively pitch myself to an employer, and was given great resources to rework both my resume and cover letter.
Shonneri | Operations & Support
I had no tangible qualifications to put on a resume and couldn’t afford training and exams. Merit provided everything I was looking for.
Yves | IT Helpdesk Technician
Programs like Merit America allow you to open a door that otherwise you would not be able to.
Sandra | Tech Consultant
Attending Merit, has not only equipped me with more tools in the tech field, but it has also brought me a network of support.
Michelle | Web Developer
I had difficulties translating my existing IT experience into new job offers. Merit America was the perfect extra support I needed to begin my career.
Alix | Tech Solutions Coordinator
Merit America is invested in helping people succeed not only in their work life, but in life in general.
Toya | Tech Consultant
I learned a lot of skills I was never taught. The coach meetings gave me the accountability I needed to succeed.
Willie | Tech Support Technician
Merit America has changed so much for me that I couldn’t be more grateful. I’ve felt like I would never get out of the dead end that I was in.
Rey | Marketing Specialist
Merit America has greatly improved my coding abilities, and my job prospects. My professional skills are much better, including searching for jobs!
Bruce | Engineering Apprentice
Everything I learned in the Merit program, I do at my job.
Rhonda | Help Desk Specialist
Merit America gave me the tools and resources to further my learning in IT.
Akilah | T2 Flex Force
It’s a great program that pushes you to learn everyday. The program is set up to help you succeed.
Vi | Software Engineer
My new career in IT has provided me with opportunities for success that I didn’t have before, and I owe my move into this career to Merit America.
Joshua | IT Support Analyst
I’ve always wanted to learn Java and had looked at options available at community colleges. It was going to cost me more and take longer than Merit.
Elizabeth | Software Engineer
At Merit America, I knew I had people — the Merit team as well as my squad — in my corner pushing me and helping me, no matter how tough it got.
Ebauni | IT Support / Business Analyst
Programs like Merit America give people with great minds a chance to pursue their dreams. To any Merit learner, know that you’re in the right place.
Corey | Cloud Operations Support Associate
Through the program I learned how to effectively pitch myself to an employer, and was given great resources to rework both my resume and cover letter.
Shonneri | Operations & Support
Hear From Merit America’s Instacart Shoppers ⤵
Meet Victoria
Victoria, an Instacart shopper of over two years, recently began her journey in Merit America’s Project Management track. Inspired by her love for working with people and creating team-driven experiences, she shared, “I enjoy speaking with people… I like being a part of the team!” Having explored other roles and delivery services, she found herself drawn to Project Management, believing it would be the perfect fit for her collaborative and outgoing nature. Reflecting on her decision, Victoria noted, “I’m gonna take this opportunity because… The people have been great. I went to the meetings and they were great, too.” Excited to grow professionally, she’s ready to gain new skills and advance toward a fulfilling career.
Meet Rhiannon
Rhiannon joined Merit America’s UX Design program after spending over 2.5 years as an Instacart Shopper, where she discovered a passion for designing user-friendly experiences. She was drawn to UX Design for its empathy-driven focus and attention to detail, sharing, “I have a great attention to detail, I have a lot of empathy… I thought UX Design fit my personality and needs the best.” With no prior tech experience and no bachelor’s degree—remarking, “I didn’t even know this career existed, like, three weeks ago!”—Rhiannon saw Merit America as the perfect opportunity to transform her career. Now, Rhiannon has joined Merit America to gain her Google UX Design Certificate.
Meet Cecelia
Cecelia, a stay-at-home mom of seven and a dedicated homeschooler for over 20 years, began shopping with Instacart earlier this year. After reaching “gold star” status, she discovered Merit America’s UX Design program and was drawn to the opportunity to explore a creative field with Adobe tools—an area she’d always dreamed of pursuing. Motivated by her goal for a stable career and the ability to obtain job training with $0 upfront, Cecelia shared, “I’m just excited for the opportunity!” Now, she’s diving into her UX Design studies, ready to build a new career path.
Frequently Asked Questions
If the following FAQs don’t answer your questions, email learnmore@meritamerica.org.