Summer Scholars Support Program

PLEASE NOTE: The Summer Scholars Support application cycle is closed for Summer 2023.
Summer Scholars Support is a need- and merit-based scholarship opportunity for California high school students enrolled in grades 8th – 11th. This year, $100,000 is available to support selected high school students. About 30 to 40 partial or full scholarships will be awarded.
Summer Scholars Support Information
To apply for Summer Scholars Support, you must meet the following minimum eligibility criteria:
- You are attending grades 8 – 11 as of Spring 2023 in a California high school (international or out-of-state students are not eligible);
- You have not received UCLA Summer Scholars Support in the past;
- You will be a continuing high school student in Fall 2023 (current seniors graduating in Spring 2023 are not eligible);
- You have a family annual adjusted gross income (AGI) of $100,000 or less; and
- You are applied to or enrolled in a 2023 UCLA Summer Sessions program: either a Summer Course, a Precollege Summer Institute, or the UCLA Summer College Immersion Program (SCIP or eSCIP).
- Payment of the nonrefundable registration fee is required (with the exception of those applying for Deferred Deposit – for information on Deferred Deposit, see “Deferred Deposit” below).
If you DO NOT meet the above eligibility criteria:
While we do not offer scholarships for international or out-of-state students attending UCLA summer courses or programs, we highly encourage you to utilize the following scholarship search engines to explore financial aid opportunities which may be available to you. These scholarship search engines offer a wide variety of aid that are available for many different types of students. Please note that many of these scholarships will not fully cover the cost of your courses or programs; however, getting an early start on your scholarship applications can allow you to apply and possibly receive multiple scholarships. Utilizing these scholarship search engines is not only an excellent way for you to research ways in which you can fund your summer studies here at UCLA, but also is a great way to familiarize yourself with what funding opportunities may be available for your undergraduate studies.
Summer Scholars Support award amounts will vary and can cover up to one of the following:
- One summer course (up to 5 units)
- One Summer Institute
- Summer College Immersion Program (SCIP/eSCIP/SCIP+; including only one approved course)
The Summer Scholars Support scholarship will cover program fees only. For all programs, the scholarship will NOT cover course materials, textbooks, and travel costs. Please be sure to check whether your program includes housing before applying for this scholarship.
- For programs which include on-campus residential programs (Summer College Immersion Program and certain Summer Institutes – please see institute page to determine if housing is an integrated part of the institute), the course fee, meals, and housing are included in the program fees, and therefore the scholarship will cover these program fees in their entirety.
- For programs which do not include housing as part of the program (Summer Courses and certain Summer Institutes – please see institute page to determine if housing is an integrated part of the institute), program fees will only cover the course fee; therefore, the scholarship will NOT cover meals and housing.
All requirements below should be acquired and prepared prior to starting the Summer Scholars Online Form. Please be sure to name the document files with your name and document type.
- Unofficial transcript
- Student resume
- Personal Statement (see below)
- Applicants will select 3 out of the 6 questions below and answer each question in 250 – 300 words. Personal statements should be saved in one single Word (.docx) or PDF (.pdf) document. Please include the question you have selected above each answer.
- Describe a pivotal experience in your education and how it has shaped the person you are today and/or your goals for the future.
- Describe a significant challenge you have faced. How has it affected you and what steps have you taken to overcome it?
- What class or extracurricular activity has had the biggest impact on you, and why?
- Why are you interested in the program and/or course you have registered for, and what do you hope to get out of it?
- Describe a community you are a part of. Why it is important to you, and what role have you had in that community?
- What issue are you passionate about, and why? How have you acted on that passion
- Applicants will select 3 out of the 6 questions below and answer each question in 250 – 300 words. Personal statements should be saved in one single Word (.docx) or PDF (.pdf) document. Please include the question you have selected above each answer.
- W-2 Tax Form (if eligible for one) – black out all social security numbers
- Only 2021 or 2022 W-2 tax forms will be accepted
- 1040 Tax Form (first 2 pages only) – black out all social security numbers
- Only 2021 or 2022 1040 tax forms will be accepted
For questions, please contact us at info@summer.ucla.edu.
Applying for the Summer Scholars Support scholarship can be done conveniently online with the following steps:
- Apply to or register for a Summer Course, Precollege Summer Institute, or the UCLA Summer College Immersion Program (SCIP).
- Payment of the nonrefundable registration fee is required to complete registration and enrollment (with the exception of those applying for Deferred Deposit – for information on Deferred Deposit, see “Deferred Deposit” below).
- Gather and prepare all “Application Requirements” prior to starting the scholarship online application.
- Access the Summer Scholars Support Online Application. Read all terms and conditions, then scroll to the bottom and select “Continue to Application”.
- Provide responses to all required questions on the first page of the online application. You will then upload all required application materials on the second page of the online application and select “Submit”. The application will close 5pm PST on March 15.
- Applicants will be notified of award announcements by 5pm PST on Friday, April 21, via email.
For a full overview of how to apply, please view our Summer Scholars Support Checklist.
Registration for UCLA Summer Sessions requires a $350 registration fee. However, the registration fee may be deferred for students who meet all eligibility requirements for Summer Scholars Support, complete the Summer Scholars Support application prior to the deadline, AND meet one of the following qualifications:
- Current recipient of the State of California (CalFresh) or U.S. Public Assistance (including food stamps, cash, and/or medical assistance).
- Documentation Required: Copy of EBT Card and photo ID.
- Participant in the free and reduced lunch program.
- Documentation Required: Photo of lunch tickets or official letter from your high school.
- Family Annual Gross Income below $60,000.
- Documentation Required: Page 1 of parent/guardian(s) 1040 EZ.
Students can only defer their deposit for one program. Those applying for Deferred Deposit can indicate their intention to apply during the Summer Scholars Online Form and will receive a confirmation email with next steps to apply for Deferred Deposit upon successful submission of the Summer Scholars Support application.
Receiving Deferred Deposit does NOT indicate student will receive a Summer Scholarship. In the event you apply for a scholarship and are not granted one, you will have 24 business hours to pay the registration fee; otherwise, you will be dropped from your program
IMPORTANT DATES
February 1: Scholarship Application Opens
March 15: Scholarship Application Closes at 5pm
April 21: Award decisions announced