Program Overview

Cal Poly Scholars Program

The Cal Poly Scholars program is designed to provide financial, community, and academic support to high-achieving students from California schools who come from low-income backgrounds.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Cal Poly Scholars program, students must be undergraduate students admitted to Cal Poly and have applied for financial aid via the FAFSA or California Dream Application. Scholars are selected at the discretion of the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Program Requirements

As part of accepting the Scholars financial award, students agree to the commitments indicated in the Scholar Agreements. These agreements are designed to foster an inclusive community of Scholars, build a personal support network for college success, and develop knowledge and skills for lifelong success. To maintain annual eligibility for financial and programmatic support, Scholars must fulfill specific commitments.

Residential Learning Community

For current Year 1 Scholars, residing in the Year 1 Scholars residential learning community is required, unless they are also a member of EOP or TRiO Achievers and are residing in their communities, or have an approved exemption through University Housing and/or the Disability Resource Center. Transfer Scholars are required to reside on campus.

Financial Award

The Cal Poly Scholars award is only available during fall, winter, and spring quarters. The total amount awarded is divided equally among the three primary quarters. Award distribution timelines for Scholars are as follows:

• Fall quarter awards: mid-summer/late-July
• Winter quarter awards: one week before winter classes begin
• Spring quarter awards: one week before spring classes begin

Academic Support

Year 1 Scholars have agreed to one 1:1 meeting with an assigned Mustang Success Center academic advisor during their first year. Continuing Scholars receive academic support from their college academic advisors and their college's dedicated retention specialist.

Study Abroad

Most study abroad experiences associated with Cal Poly are eligible for financial assistance in the form of financial aid and scholarships, including the Cal Poly Scholars financial award.

Leave of Absence

If a Scholar needs to leave campus for various reasons, they are encouraged to connect with their academic advisor and financial aid counselor before departing to discuss potential policies and procedures that could affect their enrollment and funding.

Laptop Provision

Incoming Scholars will receive their laptop during Week of Welcome (WOW). For those who did not receive a laptop during WOW, all devices must be selected and ordered through the indicated process no later than April 15 of a Scholar's first year at Cal Poly.

Scholar Definitions

• Year 1 Scholars: New Cal Poly Scholars who are enrolled in their first academic year at Cal Poly as non-transfer students.
• Year 2 Scholars: Returning Cal Poly Scholars who are enrolled in their second academic year at Cal Poly as non-transfer students.
• Year 3+ Scholars: Returning Cal Poly Scholars who are enrolled in their third, fourth, fifth, or sixth academic year at Cal Poly as non-transfer students.
• New Transfer Scholars: New Cal Poly Scholars who are enrolled in their first academic year at Cal Poly as transfer students.
• Returning Transfer Scholars: Returning Cal Poly Scholars who have completed at least one academic year at Cal Poly as a transfer student.
• Cohort or Scholar Cohort: A group of Cal Poly Scholars who enrolled, for the first time, at Cal Poly in the same academic year as either Year 1 Scholars or New Transfer Scholars.