Scholarships We Love: The Merit Scholarship at Hack Reactor

Hack Reactor is committed to making software engineering education more accessible by removing financial barriers for aspiring developers. To support this mission, the school introduced the Merit Scholarship, a $2,500 award to recognize students with strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. The scholarship is available to any student who passes the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT), a key component of Hack Reactor’s admissions process. Jeff Pryor, Director of Sales and Enrollment, shares insights on what it takes to qualify, how applicants can prepare for the CCAT, and the career opportunities that await Hack Reactor graduates.

What is the overall goal of the Merit Scholarship?

The goal of the Merit Scholarship is to make software engineering education more accessible by recognizing and supporting students who have the aptitude to succeed in our programs. Offering this scholarship to any student who passes the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) aims to reduce financial barriers and create more opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to launch rewarding careers in tech.

How much is the scholarship for?

The Merit Scholarship is $2,500. 

Who is eligible for the Merit Scholarship? Is there an ideal candidate for the scholarship?

This scholarship may be awarded to incoming students of our Beginner Bootcamp and Intermediate Bootcamp. Any applicant who passes the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT), which is part of the admissions process for both programs, is eligible for the Merit Scholarship.

By using the CCAT, we’re looking for applicants to demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, the capacity to learn, and critical thinking skills.

Can the scholarship be combined with other scholarships and/or financing?

Yes! This scholarship is for all applicants, no matter what financing option they choose. Since the scholarship does not cover full tuition, students can combine it with other payment options, such as financing or paying upfront.

What is the process to be considered for the Merit Scholarship?

Anyone interested in the Merit Scholarship needs to apply for the bootcamp of their choice. There’s a three-step admissions process at Hack Reactor. Applicants to our Beginner Bootcamp need to complete the CCAT, program application with their desired start date, and a non-technical admissions interview. Applicants to our Intermediate Bootcamp need to complete the CCAT, program application with their desired start date, and a 20-minute JavaScript coding challenge before completing the technical admissions assessment (TAA).

Do applicants need to know how to code before applying for the scholarship?

Since we offer the Merit Scholarship to applicants of both of our programs, this answer varies: 

• If you’re a tech beginner, you do not need to know how to code to apply for the Beginner program.

• If you’re interested in our Intermediate program, you’ll need some coding experience in JavaScript under your belt. (We offer a free Basic Prep program so you can brush up on your coding skills before applying!)

No matter where you are in your tech career, Hack Reactor has a program to fit your needs!

How difficult is it to pass the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT)?

We understand that enrolling in a coding bootcamp is a major commitment. It requires time, money, and effort. That’s why it’s essential to choose a program that aligns with your learning style, pace, and skill level. Our admissions process is designed to help determine if our bootcamp is the right fit for you, ensuring that your interests, abilities, and goals align with what we offer.

While our Beginner and Intermediate programs have different expectations regarding prior coding knowledge, both require strong problem-solving abilities, the capacity to absorb and apply new information, and critical thinking skills. To that end, we ask all applicants to complete the CCAT. 

The CCAT is a well-established, scientifically validated aptitude test used by educators, hiring managers, and organizations across the U.S. It has been administered over five million times and is recognized for its reliability. We chose the CCAT because it’s developed by an impartial third party, allowing us to evaluate applicants based on their potential rather than their prior work experience, career background, or level of formal education. Since Hack Reactor began requiring the CCAT in our admissions process, we’ve seen a nearly 80% pass rate.

This assessment consists of 50 questions, and you’ll have 15 minutes to answer as many as possible. Some people get nervous when they hear that, but it’s important to know that fewer than 1% of test-takers complete all 50 questions! Test-takers need to focus on doing their best within the time limit. The test includes three types of questions: verbal reasoning, math and logic, and spatial reasoning.

If an incoming student doesn’t receive the Merit Scholarship can they wait for the next cohort to be reconsidered?

If a student doesn’t pass the CCAT and isn’t accepted into the program, they can restart their application and retake the CCAT three months after their original attempt. They can be reconsidered for the Merit Scholarship once they’ve reapplied and retaken the CCAT.

What types of tech roles does the Hack Reactor bootcamp prepare students for?

Our graduates are hired across multiple industries, such as publishing, finance, retail, insurance, and many more. Typically, the five most common job titles that Hack Reactor graduates land include Software Engineer, Full Stack Engineer, Software Developer, Web Developer, and Developer.

What types of tech roles have Merit Scholarship students landed?

This scholarship is new, so the first recipients are deep into their bootcamp journey right now, thanks in part to the scholarship. They’ll be graduating soon, ready to take on the job market with the support of our career services team, which guides them during the program and for up to 180 days after graduation.

Do you have any tips for incoming students interested in receiving the Merit Scholarship? Is there anything they can do to increase their chances of receiving the scholarship?

I encourage all applicants to read through our blog post on preparing for the CCAT. The CCAT exam providers recommend that test-takers not spend too much time on any one question, since you only have 15 minutes. If you’re stuck on a question for more than a minute, make an educated guess and move on to the next question!

Find out more and read Hack Reactor reviews on Course Report. This article was produced by the Course Report team in partnership with Hack Reactor.