2025-2026 Second-year, Third-year, and Fourth(+)-year SOAR Program Application

Looking for mentorship, career guidance, and a strong support system to help you succeed in college and beyond? The SRA SOAR Program is designed to help second-, third-, and fourth-year college students stay on track, graduate, and launch their careers with confidence!
What is the SRA SOAR Program?
SRA SOAR is a virtual mentorship and support program designed to help college students navigate their journey with confidence. Participants are matched with an SRA College & Career Advisor and Peer Mentor (2nd/3rd-year Program) or Professional Mentor (4th(+)-year Program) and placed in a small cohort of peers, ensuring a strong support system throughout the year.
What to Expect
From September 2025 - May 2026, scholars will participate in one to two virtual sessions per month, covering key topics such as:
✅ Financial literacy
✅ Internship and job searches
✅ Self-care
✅ Networking
✅ Preparing for life after college
✅ And more!
✨ Scholars in the Fourth(+)-year SOAR Program will also have 1:1 sessions with their Professional Mentor to gain industry-specific insight and prepare for the transition to life after college.
This program requires a commitment of approximately 1.5 to 3 hours per month from September 2025 - May 2026. Monthly session dates and times will be determined based on participants' availability.
Program Timeline
📅 Application Deadline: Friday, June 27, 2025
📧 Welcome Emails Sent: Friday, August 15, 2025
🚀 Scholar Orientation: September 2 - September 5, 2025
Who Can Apply?
You’re eligible if you:
✔️ Have completed at least one full year of college
✔️ Are enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year U.S.-based college/university for the 2025-2026 school year
⚠️ Note: Students currently in the SRA Rising Stars Program are not eligible for the SOAR Program.
Stipend Information 💰
Participants who complete all program requirements can earn up to $500:
💵 $250 at the end of the fall term (January 2026)
💵 $250 at the end of the spring term (June 2026)
How is SOAR Different from the SRA Rising Stars Program?
SRA Rising Stars is a five-year program for students based in the California Bay Area; Rising Stars accepts high school juniors in March each year
SOAR is open to current college students from anywhere in the US who have completed at least one year of school
Questions?
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions or email us at soar@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."

I am:

No problem! Send us an email at soar@studentsrisingabove.org and we will be happy to help you figure out if the SOAR program is right for you!

Got it!

Oops! This application is only for current college students entering their second, third, or fourth (+) year of college. If you are entering your first year of college, please complete this application linked here.

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Essay Questions

Fourth(+)-year Application Essay Questions

Watch the SOAR Program Overview video (below) before responding to the following essay questions.

What do you hope to gain from being a part of the SOAR Program? (100-250 words)

If you were joining a new, virtual group for the first time, how might you help others feel comfortable and included in the space? What kinds of things make you feel comfortable in a new community? (100-250 words)

What is one of your academic or career-related goals and what kind of support would you need to accomplish it? (100-250 words)

Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an education barrier you have faced. (100-250 words)

One of the two main components of the Fourth(+) SOAR program is the Mentor component. Senior SOAR Scholars are matched (a) volunteer Mentor(s) in their field of interest and will conduct several meetings with their Mentor(s) over the course of the school year as a part of their fulfillment of the SOAR program requirements. Mentors can provide insight and support related to industry-specific job markets, graduate school applications, and networking. What two things would be really important to you to get out of your relationship with (a) Mentor(s) in your field of interest? (100-250 word)

Second-year & Third-year Application Essay Questions

Watch the SOAR Program Overview video (below) before responding to the following essay questions.

What do you hope to gain from being a part of the SOAR Program? (100-250 words)

If you were joining a new, virtual group for the first time, how might you help others feel comfortable and included in the space? What kinds of things make you feel comfortable in a new community? (100-250 words)

What is one of your academic or career-related goals and what kind of support would you need to accomplish it? (100-250 words)

Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an education barrier you have faced. (100-250 words)

Disclaimer & Submission

5. Disclaimer

Disclaimer Section

I understand that any false information supplied will invalidate my application and will deem me ineligible to be part of the Students Rising Above SOAR Program and to receive financial support.

I understand some information about me may appear on the Students Rising Above website, newsletter, brochure, and other published literature approved by the Foundation for Students Rising Above. Information from this application is used solely for evaluation purposes and will only be used in aggregate for reporting purposes unless permission is granted otherwise.

I understand SRA is designated as a Mandatory Reporter under the California’s Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act.

I understand SRA will do its best to work around my schedule, but that it is possible I may not be able to participate in SOAR due to schedule conflicts that lead to an inability to schedule me into a cohort.

I have read the above disclaimer and agree with and understand what is written.