2026-2027 Continuing College Student SOAR Program Application

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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 returning 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 or Professional Mentor (Graduating Senior Program) and placed in a small cohort of peers, ensuring a strong support system throughout the year.

What to Expect

From September 2026 - May 2027, 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 Grad 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 2026 - May 2027. Monthly session dates and times will be determined based on participants' availability.

Program Timeline

📅 Application Deadline: Friday, June 26, 2026
 📧 Notification Emails Sent: August 14, 2026, - August 28, 2026
 🚀 Scholar Orientation: Early September

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 2026-2027 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 2027)
 💵 $250 at the end of the spring term (June 2027)

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."




Applicant Information

Applicant Information

Please put your first name as it appears on your school transcripts.

Please put your last name as it appears on your school transcripts.

For example, if your name is Benjamin, but you go by Ben, write Ben here, and Benjamin above under Formal/Legal Name.

Example: she/her, they/them, etc.



Please ensure that this email address is one that you check regularly as you will receive important and time-sensitive communications about your SOAR Program application at this address.






High School Information 

Can't find your high school? Send us an email at soar@studentsrisingabove.org so we can add it! In your email, please include your high school's name, city, and US state. If you attended high school outside of the US, please include your high school's name, city, and country.






College/University Information












Essay Questions

Grad Year Application Essay Questions

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






Progress Year & Upper Year Application Essay Questions

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





Demographic Information


Being a first-generation college student means that your parents did not earn a degree at a 4-year university/college (refers to parents only; if your siblings or extended family members earned a degree at a 4-year university/college but your parents did not, you are still considered a first-generation college student).






FAFSA/CADAA Info

If you filed FAFSA or CA Dream Act for the 2026-2027 school year, you should have received an SAI. It is not the amount of money your family will have to pay for college, nor is it the amount of federal student aid you will receive. It is a number used by your school to calculate how much financial aid you are eligible to receive.





Disclaimer & Submission

5. Disclaimer
Disclaimer Section

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