Yes! All of our programs are offered at no cost to our Scholars. Your time, energy, and effort are the only commitments required.

No. We currently only offer programs for juniors (6-Year Program & Thrive Academies Program) and male, generational African American sophomores (OnRamp Program).

Thrive Scholars aims to support students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and income is a factor that we look at during the selection process. To be eligible to apply to our programs, your total household income should not exceed $125,000 annually, considering both of your parents'/guardians' income (even if they live separately).

The exact date can vary, but admissions decisions are generally released towards mid-March.

No. However, we do provide an annual stipend to support Scholars with costs related to going to college. In addition, our College Access Managers (CAMs) work with Scholars and their families to secure low-loan; and, in many cases, no loan financial aid packages. Our goal is to have you graduate with little to no debt!

No. You will only be admitted to one Thrive Scholar program. You are free to accept or decline your admissions offer. If you accept your offer, you are committed to that program and cannot change programs thereafter.

No. Scholars are not able to earn college credit for their coursework completed during the summer programming. However, many top colleges and universities are familiar with Thrive Scholars and know that Thrive Scholar participants are well-prepared for college-level academic rigor.

Yes. The eligibility criteria for both of these highly-competitive programs are the same and we encourage you to apply to both programs. However, if you are certain that you cannot possibly leave home for six weeks over the summer, you should apply to Thrive Academies only, which is our local, commuter program that allows you to stay at home while participating in the summer programming. The application for both programs is the same and there is just one application to complete. On your application, you can indicate if you would like to apply to both programs. If your application is advanced to Round 2 of the application process, you will have the opportunity to indicate a program preference. While we take your preference under consideration, we cannot guarantee that you will be admitted to your preferred program.

All applications must be received by Sunday, December 15th 11:59 PM Pacific Time. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

No, you do not need to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to apply. However, your citizenship status may affect your eligibility for federal and state financial aid. Your college access manager will help you to navigate the aid process during your senior year. Additionally, your citizenship status may impact future employment opportunities. Some employers can limit hiring based on citizenship if required by law, regulation, executive order, or government contract. Your career coach can help you navigate these questions and others related to your future career opportunities.

During the enrollment process, you will have the opportunity to share your IEP/504 Plan with us. Any request for accommodations will be reviewed and we will accommodate requests that are within our capacity to meet.

No. However, if you have taken any standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT, we ask that you submit your scores on the application.

All applications must be received by Sunday, December 15th 11:59 PM Pacific Time. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

None! In Round 1 of the application process, we do ask for your family's 2023 income information, but no documentation. However, if your application is advanced to Round 2, you will be asked to submit page one of your parents'/guardians' 2023 IRS 1040 tax form. We also can accept their W2 or 1099 form, or an employment verification letter including the annual income of each of their annual incomes. These documents are necessary for us to verify your total household income and also help us to prepare for your financial aid planning.

No. Your counselor and teacher recommender will complete a short form assessing your academic performance and your personal qualities as a student. There is space on the form for them to submit any additional information they want to share, including a letter if they have already written one for you.

Thrive Scholars takes a holistic approach when evaluating a student's application. Some of the criteria we consider are academic performance, level of rigor in coursework, writing ability, involvement outside of class, personal qualities/character and socio-economic background.

In Round 1 of our two-round process, applicants choose which programs they’d like to be considered for and tell us about themselves including their academic record, finances, interests, and aspirations. They provide their high school transcript and write an essay similar to a college application essay. Applicants invited to Round 2 are asked to provide updated academic information, additional supporting documentation including parent/guardian tax documents, and a recorded interview. Final admission decisions are released in mid-March. All applicants will receive their decision letters via email and should regularly check their email accounts throughout the Thrive application process.

Primarily by email. It is important that you use your personal, and not your school, email on the application because many school systems have firewalls that prevent our application form from submitting properly. You should get in the habit of checking your personal emails regularly as we will send information, updates, reminders and invitations all by email. In addition, you will occasionally receive text messages from us with important reminders or to invite you to a virtual info session.

In addition to answering questions about yourself, your family's income and your school, you will be asked to submit your most recent high school transcript, an essay, and several short answer questions. You will also provide us with contact information for your guidance counselor and a teacher so that we can reach out for recommendations. If your application is advanced to Round 2, you will be asked to provide an updated transcript, a recorded interview, and your parents'/guardians' tax documents or employment documentation so that we can verify your family's total annual income.

No. However, if you are admitted to the 6-Year Program during your junior year of high school, you can count on personalized support from Thrive Scholars for six years!

OnRamp provides comprehensive academic support and leadership development for high-achieving Black/Generational African American male students. We empower students to gain admission to and thrive at leading universities while preparing for successful careers that offer economic mobility. OnRamp Scholars are given early access to Thrive's signature summer academy, during which they take college-level math and writing classes, participate in self-exploration activities, begin reflecting on their career development, all while living on a college campus and building community with other high-achieving students.

10 months. Programming begins in April and ends in February each year.

To be eligible to apply, students must: have a 3.4 minimum unweighted GPA, have an annual family income that does not exceed $125,000, identify as a male, Black/Generational African American, and be enrolled in 10th grade in a high school in the United States.

No. OnRamp Scholars are invited to apply to the 6-Year Program and their applications are reviewed amongst the other applicants. Although we give priority consideration to OnRamp scholars, we do not guarantee admission into the 6-Year Program. The goal of attending the summer academy and participating in programming throughout the year as an OnRamp Scholar is to prepare you to submit a competitive application to the 6-Year Program.

Yes. All air and, in some cases, ground (bus) transportation to and from the summer academy host campus is provided by Thrive Scholars. Shuttle service from the airport to the host campus is also covered by Thrive. If you live close to the host campus and your parents want to drive you, that is allowed. However, gas reimbursement is not provided in this case.

No. The six-week summer academy is required for all enrolled OnRamp Scholars.

Black/Generational African American refers to someone who is a descendant of enslaved people in the United States. The phrase includes the racial identity (Black) and specific ancestry (Generational African American) of individuals with at least one parent who is a descendant of enslaved people in the United States.

Yes, we will consider all applicants who identify as male and Generational African-American, regardless of their gender assigned at birth.

Yes. 100% attendance is required so be sure to check with your parents early on to make sure that you will not have any conflicts. The 6-week academies generally start in late June and end in early August.

Typically, 6-Year Program Scholars: Earn As in most or all of their classes and are highly ranked amongst their graduating class. Take the most challenging courses at their school including AP, IB and dual enrollment courses. Often score 1250+ on the SAT and 26+ on the ACT. Demonstrate extracurricular leadership, family responsibility, and/or part-time work. Identify as a high-achieving, first-generation college goer, from an under-resourced community. Are deeply curious and love learning!

No problem! Many students do not know what they want to do for their career when they apply to Thrive. Career development is a core component of the 6-Year Program and we will help you to discover your interests, strengths and values so that you can pursue a career that will be fulfilling and meaningful. On the application, we ask you to choose the career pathway that you are most interested in right now, but you can change your career pathway later in the program. There is no commitment to a certain career required at this point.

Yes. All air and, in some cases, ground (bus) transportation to and from the summer academy host campus is provided by Thrive Scholars. Shuttle service from the airport to the host campus is also covered by Thrive. If you live close to the host campus and your parents want to drive you, that is allowed. However, gas reimbursement is not provided in this case.

This program is highly personalized and focuses on college readiness, career development and economic mobility for scholars. Each year, you receive monthly, 1:1 advising and coaching in such areas such as the college application process, financial aid, academic success, career development, networking and preparation for securing your first job out of college. Our program consists of intensive pre-college academic preparation, expert college advising, social-emotional support, financial support, and career development. We are with you every step of the way to guide you on a path to a meaningful and high-trajectory career so you can prosper in life.

To apply, students must have a 3.6 minimum unweighted GPA, an annual family income that does not exceed $125,000, and must be enrolled in 11th grade in a high school in the United States.

No. However, if you have taken any standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT, we ask that you submit your scores on the application.

Yes! Scholars join our program in their junior year of high school and remain active in our programming and coaching through their college graduation. Then, they join our extensive and growing alumni network which acts as a support community for both alumni and current Thrive Scholars.

Yes. Thrive Academies are only offered in these cities and students commute to campus each day for their classes. For this reason, you must live there to apply.

Students attend daily college-level writing and math courses, eat lunch in the dining hall and participate in fun, community-building activities. Each week, students also participate in college admissions and preparation workshops.

Yes. Students receive up to a $500 stipend upon completion of each of the summer academies. Students are also provided with a free laptop that they may keep.

No. Attendance is required for the duration of the program. Scholars are allowed to miss up to four days before seeing deductions in their summer stipend.

The Thrive Academies Program is designed to ensure academic success in college and beyond. The programming consists of intensive college prep academic coursework, and a College Compass workshop series, meant to point you in the right direction to meet your college and career goals.

2 years. The program includes two commuter summer academies as well as resources for college application support and career development. In addition, Scholars are invited to attend various (optional) programming and events throughout the two years.

Typically, scholars: Earn As in most or all of their classes and are highly ranked amongst their graduating class. Take the most challenging courses at their school including AP, IB and dual enrollment courses. Often score 1250+ on the SAT and 26+ on the ACT Demonstrate extracurricular leadership, family responsibility, and/or part-time work. Identify as a high-achieving, first-generation college goer, from an under-resourced community. Are deeply curious and love learning!

Most students commute to campus by public transportation. The cost of bus/train passes is covered by Thrive Scholars.

Yes. There is no homework assigned in the Thrive Academies Program and no weekend classes.

Yes. Whether you are flying or taking public transportation, we've got you covered.

We understand that having support is crucial to your success and wellbeing. You will have access to a range of support services, including mental health counselors, site directors, program assistants, and nurses. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that you have the resources you need to feel safe and supported during your summer academy experience.

Our secret sauce! Summer academies are intensive college preparation programs held on college campuses across the U.S every year. They are a key component of all of the Thrive Scholars programs and include over 175+ hours of college-level instruction each summer targeting math, writing, and critical thinking skills taught by college professors.

Great question! The short answer is that we use Thrive Academies to refer to our two-year program and we use summer academies to refer to any of the intensive summer sessions that take place on college campuses in all of our programs (including the Thrive Academies Program). The two-year Thrive Academies Program includes two summer academies along with additional optional events and programming throughout the two years. The summer academies in this program are held on a college campus that is local to the communities where they are being offered and students commute to campus every day for their classes. The first summer academy after your junior year of high school is six-weeks long and the second one after your senior year of high school is four-weeks long. The six-year 6-Year Program also includes two summer academies. They are held on a college campus but not necessarily in your local community. Most students have to fly to the university and they live in the dorms for the entire duration of the academy. The first summer academy after your junior year of high school is six-weeks long and the second one after your senior year of high school is four-weeks long. The 10-month OnRamp Program includes one summer academy. It is held on the same college campus as the 6-Year Program summer academy every year. Most students have to fly to the university and they live in the dorms for the entire duration of the academy. The summer academy for On-Ramp is six-weeks long. All academies generally start towards the end of June and end towards the beginning of August.