FAQ

While previous coding experience is not required, we are looking for a baseline coding and math aptitude on the admissions assessment. We will provide all applicants with resources to begin to familiarize yourself with the fundamentals and coding skills necessary to be considered for our program.

We have accepted applicants with all types of educational and professional backgrounds - from high school graduates to PhDs. Our students’ backgrounds have included work as musicians, engineers, customer service reps, scientists and warehouse workers.

You must have a high school diploma or GED and be able to legally work without sponsorship in the United States. Accepted students must also complete a criminal background check.

Find out here!

The application process is multi-step and typically takes 8-12 weeks from submitting your application to acceptance decision.

We’re looking for passionate self-starters with grit, tenacity and a fierce love of problem solving.

Practice, practice, practice. Prepare for the admissions assessment by using these free resources. The more time you spend learning the basics, the better you will do throughout the application process. Plus, it will help you confirm that software development is the right choice for you.

Re-apply! If you need to withdraw your application or do not get accepted into the program, please re-apply for the next session. Some applicants need more time to work on their coding skills and may need to re-apply to have a better chance of being accepted.

Not at this time. We currently require all applicants to go through the entire application process each time they apply.

We have 3 cohorts a year: February, June, and October.

Java classes have between 15-30 students and Data classes have between 10-15 students. 

Class hours are M-F 9a-5p. Twice a week, we have 8:00 a.m. guest speakers from our corporate partners. We also have 2-3 required evening events per week, such as alumni lectures and other networking events. Students must also complete labs, reading assignments, group projects and other work outside of class hours.

Yes. This is an immersive learning environment. To be successful, our students must be prepared to work evenings and weekends.

Zip Code is a full-time, immersive program. A few students have successfully worked part-time evening/weekend hours while attending Zip Code. However, due to the intense time commitment of the program, we don’t advise students to work while attending Zip Code.

We loan students a laptop to use for the entirety of the program. No other materials are required for the program.

Please refer to the curriculum page. 

We do not provide a certification, however we teach the concepts covered in the Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 7 Programmer certification. Neither Zip Code nor its corporate partners require students to obtain the Java SE 8 Programmer, Level 1 certification. Pursuit of certification is voluntary.

Beginning with the October 2023 cohort, the total cost is $16,500. Students pay only $6,000 upfront. After completion of the program, the balance for a student hired by a corporate partner will be $1,500 with the corporate partner paying the remaining $9,000.  For a student hired by a non-corporate partner, the remaining balance will be $7,500.

Break Into Tech Scholarship

For qualifying Delaware residents, Zip Code Wilmington offers a limited number of scholarships to cover eligible students’ upfront tuition cost, as well as a bi-weekly living stipend. Students' household income must be at or below 350% of the federal poverty line to qualify.

At the present time, scholarships/stipends are not available to those who do not meet the above criteria. We do also do not offer payment plans.

VET TEC
We do offer VET TEC for the Java Software Development program through the Department of Veterans Affairs. If you are admitted and have one day of GI Bill eligibility as of the first day of the program, you may be eligible for a VET TEC scholarship, which may cover the full cost of your tuition:

• 25% of tuition paid after completing one day of the program
• 25% of tuition paid after successfully completing the program
• 50% of the tuition paid once "meaningful employment" is obtained in the field within 180 days.

For additional information regarding qualifications, scholarship or tuition payment options 
email admissions@zipcodewilmington.com.

The program isn’t easy. We cover a lot of material in a short period of time. Our students find having a support system from family and friends is very helpful. Our staff and active alumni network also provide support through the program. To the extent you can, we advise saving money to provide an extra cushion during the three-month program.

The following companies have hired our graduates:

• Bank of America
• BlackRock
• M&T Bank
• Comcast
• JPMorgan Chase
• SEI
• Capital One
• TD Bank
• WSFS Bank
• Chatham Financial
• Diamond Technologies
• Guru
• Marlette Funding
• Barclaycard
• Corporation Service Company (CSC)
• Kistler Tiffany Benefits
• University of Delaware

We are constantly adding new companies to our list of hiring partners.

Zip Code is laser-focused on getting its students jobs. We work on professional development throughout the entire 12-week course. We work on resume writing, managing social media/LinkedIn profiles, networking skills, and interview prep. After the 12-week course, we schedule interviews for our students with our partner companies. For students that don’t get placed with one of our corporate partners, we continue to provide job placement assistance to help them find paid employment.

Zip Code distributes student resumes to our corporate partners. Our partners choose those students they would like to interview. Zip Code schedules an interview day where potential employers come to our facility to interview our students. Many of our partners then invite their top choices for second round interviews at their locations. Our partners then make offers to their selected students.

Our corporate partners offer either direct hire roles or contract roles. Contract roles are paid, full-time positions that are intended to last at least 26 weeks. 

Your tuition-repayment obligation to Zip Code is fulfilled after 26 work weeks. Our corporate partners oftentimes hire contractors with the intent to keep them on after the contract has ended as long as the person meets the performance expectations of the role.

See our outcomes report for details.

No. You’re free to work for any employer. However, only our employer partners in our network have agreed to repay student tuition. If you choose to work for a non-partner company, you will be obligated to repay the remainder of your tuition costs.

We’re committed to helping our graduates find employment in technology. As long as our graduates stay engaged with Zip Code, we’ll continue to assist them in finding employment.

YES! But, don’t take it from us. Listen to our alum. Check out a few alumni videos to hear about their experience at Zip Code and what they're doing now.