If you’re a high school senior planning to join the University of California, Irvine (UCI) in Fall 2025, here’s an exciting opportunity to kickstart your college journey with confidence. The Summer Bridge Scholarship 2025 is now accepting applications—and it’s designed just for students like you: first-generation, low-income, and those coming from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Summer Bridge Program isn’t just about classes—it’s your chance to gain early access to UCI’s resources, form lasting connections, and get a financial boost. Best of all? Scholarship recipients will have most of their program fees covered!
Let’s break down everything you need to know.
Scholarship Benefits
The Summer Bridge Scholarship makes a real difference by reducing your out-of-pocket costs and setting you up for academic and personal success.
- Covers $6,531 in program costs, including course fees, room and board
- Students are only responsible for the $194 campus fee and $360 USHIP fee (can be waived)
- Free item loan program (books, laptops, calculators)
- One-on-one academic and personal guidance
- Priority registration for future courses
- Continued mentorship and workshops throughout your first year
- Free access to LARC tutorial scholarships.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the Summer Bridge Scholarship 2025, you must:
- Be a high school senior at the time of application
- Be an incoming UCI freshman who has submitted a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR)
- Be a California resident (includes AB540/undocumented students)
- Qualify under one or more of the following:
- First-generation college student
- From a low-income household (as determined by FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application)
- Come from disadvantaged circumstances.
Program Requirements
Scholarship recipients are expected to:
- Attend SPOP 6 (August 1–2) and the FSSP Welcome (August 3)
- Live on-campus (quad occupancy) from July 31 to September 11, 2025
- Enroll in and attend:
- University Studies 84 (MW 4–6:50 PM)
- Sociology 1 (TuTh 1–3:50 PM)
- Attend at least 2 Faculty Connections & 2 Collegiate Life events
- Participate in Community Care sessions and meet with assigned mentors.
Application Timeline
Applications are open now! You can apply through your UCI applicant portal if you’ve already submitted your SIR. Before submitting your application, be ready to answer two short essay questions (150–250 words each):
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- Why do you want to join the Summer Bridge Program, and how will it improve your UCI experience?
- What parts of your background make you a strong candidate for this scholarship?
Apply: https://ssi.uci.edu/fssp/.
The last date to apply for the Summer Bridge Scholarship 2025 is May 26, 2025, by 11:59 PM PT.