This application is for the Students Rising Above Rising Stars Program for HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS graduating in Spring 2026. SRA empowers students facing systemic barriers to define and find success through education, career, and in life.
Selected students will receive mentoring support, financial assistance, and college and career guidance. The goal of the Rising Stars Program is to provide students with the individualized support they need to be successful.
Any applications received after the March 4th deadline will automatically be disqualified
OVERVIEW
Rising Stars Program Requirements:
Must be a current high school junior
Will be a senior in the 2025-2026 school year
Low-income or living on government assistance
Committed to earning a 4-year college education
G.P.A. of 2.0 or higher
Must live within the nine-county Bay Area
All students are eligible to apply, regardless of their immigration or citizenship status
Click Here for our FAQs and income ranges for low-income eligibility
Below are the steps to the application process:
The application will close on March 4th at 11:59 p.m.
After the application closes, 6 groups of 3 will read through the applications
If you are invited to be interviewed, you will be notified in May
The finalist will be interviewed by 3 people on the Rising Stars team
The interview team will make final selections and Students selected for the Rising Stars program will be notified by the end of June
**If invited for an interview, you will be asked to provide proof of family income with 2024 tax returns or other documentation, if needed.**
To learn more about our program visit: https://www.studentsrisingabove.org
Disclaimer: Confidentiality policy
The contents of the application will be reviewed by the selection committee and will remain confidential
SRA does not and will not share the contents of this application with any outside organizations
SRA is designated as a Mandatory Reporter under California's Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
Please review our Privacy Policy here.
Applicants will receive email and text reminders leading up to the application deadline; text reminders can be opted out at any time by replying "STOP."
Please contact Students Rising Above at selection@studentsrisingabove.org if you have any questions about this process. We look forward to reading your application.