“In partnership with Ascent Funding, a leader in learner-friendly educational financing, and with support from funders including Ascendium Education Group and Blue Meridian Partners, the Opportunity Coalition will cover the upfront cost of training, wrap-around services, and job placement support needed to upskill low-income Americans for in-demand roles facing talent shortages in the semiconductor industry. Learners repay only if and when they earn at least $40,000 annually. Merit America’s outcomes point to significant wage gains for participants under this model – their alumni have reported an average annual wage increase of $24,000 three or more months after program completion.”