The purpose of the fund is to:

• Reduce financial barriers that prevent trainees and students from completing workforce training, certification, or securing employment in the semiconductor industry.

• Support continued skill development and career progression for those engaged with SEMI-affiliated programs.

• California Residents: those living, learning, and/or working in California.

• Income Limit: Current household income must not exceed $75,000 for a single person or $100,000 for a household with dependents. Exceptions considered on a case-by-case basis.

• Interested in the Microelectronics or Semiconductor Industry: those who are exploring or pursuing a career in these industries.

• Referral Only: Applicants must be referred by a staff member of SEMI Foundation, Partnership for a Better San Diego, or a SEMI-affiliated training program.

  • What if someone is going to a community college not currently affiliated with SEMI support? Applicants may also be working on an associate’s degree at another San Diego or Imperial Valley community college in a STEM field that isn’t directly affiliated with SEMI Foundation, but will need a referral (provided they meet the other eligibility criteria). For questions about this, please contact semifund@unionyes.org.

  • Can I self-refer or refer someone I know who is eligible? Please contact semifund@unionyes.org about this. If they fit the eligibility criteria and there is still funding available, we will reach out to them directly to invite them to apply.

Funds may be used for one or more of the following:

• Barrier removal - something keeping you from progressing or achieving your goal

  • Gas card

  • Interview-appropriate clothing or shoes

  • Past due or upcoming utility bills

  • Car repair

  • Basic needs - food, internet access

  • Other, evaluated case-by-case

• Funding toward a portion or all of a non-credit certification needed to continue skill development, where no financial aid is otherwise available

• Professional learning / online courses on topics relevant to the semiconductor industry

• One year annual cost of professional membership for networking, continued development (Society of Women Engineers, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, IEEE, etc)

• Software license costs required for coursework or job readiness (up to $150 in most cases)

• Portfolio project material costs

• Other, evaluated on a case-by-case basis

What is a NOT a covered expense?

The following are not eligible expenses:

• Debt repayment

• Reimbursements for items already purchased

• Expenses reimbursable through another source (employer, educational institution, other scholarship or grant)

• Tuition or fees for credit-bearing degree programs already covered by financial aid

The majority of the awards will be under $1000 per person. The total fund is $20,000.

No. The funding you receive is a grant, not a loan. You do not need to pay it back.

Applications are being accepted now through December 1st, 2026 or until all funding has been dispersed.

We will review applications as they come and do our best to address urgent or time-sensitive requests.

Please use the “Apply” button on this page to complete the application through Microsoft Forms.

If you need a disability-related accommodation, an alternative format, or assistance completing or submitting the application, please contact semifund@unionyes.org. We will work with you to provide an accessible application process.

We will contact you by email if you have been conditionally selected, which means you have been chosen pending a short phone interview to better understand need, timeline, and logistics for award disbursement. We will also request any related documentation that verifies the request and your eligibility at that time.

Awards will be disbursed via a digital platform called Tremendous in most cases.

If you are selected, we will talk with you directly about the award to ensure the method of delivery will work for your situation.

Please send your questions to semifund@unionyes.org. Someone from our team will reply as soon as possible (generally within 2 business days).

If you are interested in this fund but are not eligible, selected, or are looking for an amount that is greater than the awards we provide, the Last Mile Fund may be of interest to you. (Check eligibility here.)

The Last Mile Fund offers:

• Emergency funds: up to $595

  Rapid-response funding to help students overcome short-term obstacles to academic progress

• Bridge funds: $600 - $4500

  To help juniors and seniors in an undergraduate program bridge potentially catastrophic financial hurdles.

• Last Mile Fund: Up to $10,000

  To cover tuition and expenses for the final credits to degree completion, and only available to students in the final two semesters of their undergraduate bachelor’s degree program.