NEW YORK, May 14, 2025—A letter, an email, a portal update—the moment of college acceptance is electric. At Urban Arts, it’s not just about where our students are going. It’s about who they’re becoming. For many, this milestone is a first: the first in their family to attend college, the first to succeed in STEAM, the first to define their future. Paola just got accepted to Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA to study Computer Science. “I’m excited for the freedom to learn about the things that truly matter to me and to develop as a person. I’m a hard worker, passionate about school, grasp material quickly, and have big ambitions for myself.”
The 50+ seniors at Urban Arts have earned a staggering $20,670,462.54 in financial aid this year, tripling last year’s scholarship numbers.
Djuensie is heading to Colby to study Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. Jenny will attend Harvard. Soraya is headed to Pratt. John is off to study Multimedia Computing at Brooklyn College.
Urban Arts is thrilled to celebrate our seniors as they commit to colleges across the country, armed with scholarships and dreams that are no longer just possibilities, but realities. These students — predominantly from low-income communities and first-generation applicants—are not just getting in. They’re thriving, rewriting the narrative of who belongs in the world of higher education, technology and game design. Urban Arts students have earned $46 million in scholarships since 2017.
Urban Arts celebrates several “full ride” offers—to NYU, Tufts University, Wesleyan University, Brown University, Harvard University and Boston University.
A national nonprofit, Urban Arts is reshaping access to computer science education by using video game design as a powerful pathway to college and career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in computer and information technology are projected to grow 11% from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. When Urban Arts teaches digital game design, students learn high-level STEAM skills, as well as collaboration and leadership.
Our seniors receive intensive college access services, including one-on-one counseling, essay coaching, application assistance, and personal mentoring with powerful partners like NBUniversal and Take-Two Interactive. We ensure our students not only apply but win the scholarships they need to attend without financial burden.
“My vision for a better Bronx underscores why I am drawn to Civil Engineering for college, combining creativity with technical expertise to solve real-world problems. I am inspired by the opportunity to design infrastructure that uplifts communities while promoting equity and sustainability,” says Daniel.
The impact is real. And as the cost of college continues to rise, with student debt reaching record levels, this financial support is not just helpful—it’s life-changing. “It’s not just about getting in,” says Urban Arts CEO Philip Courtney. “It’s about making sure our students graduate with the skills, the networks, and the confidence to succeed. These are future game designers, engineers, artists, and leaders. They are the new face of tech, and they are unstoppable.”
Urban Arts invites the media to meet our students, hear their stories, and witness the energy of College Acceptance Season firsthand.
For interviews with
- our CEO Philip Courtney,
- our Director of Post-Secondary Success Joelle Blackstock,
- our students,
- powerful partners like NBCUniversal, Google, Unity Technologies, Paramount+, more
or to learn more about our transformative work, please contact Jen Walter, Director of Marketing and Communications, at jen@urbanarts.org or 212-966-5881 x9009.
About Urban Arts
Urban Arts teaches digital game design as a pathway to college and career. We teach the art and technology of game development through computer science, coding, animation, music and storytelling. We provide top tier college-access services and ensure our students earn the maximum in scholarships. We connect our students and alumni to mentorships and internships at leading media and technology companies, generating a new and diverse talent pipeline.
Our programs prepare students for college and careers in STEAM fields—combining tech, art, and storytelling to unlock the power of possibility.
Game changers start here.
