ScholarMatch provides first-generation students from low-income backgrounds with holistic and individualized virtual college advising. Through a one-year term, our college coaches build meaningful relationships with students and provide critical guidance during the college application and financial aid process.

Students work with college coaches via phone, text message, email, and video calls to work on the following: 

• Explore college options
• Develop and edit personal statements
• Fill out financial aid applications
• Review financial aid award letters
• Search and apply for scholarships
• Clarify any college application issues

ScholarMatch also offers free ACT/SAT virtual tutoring and free virtual A.P. classes.

We carefully review applications to our program and consider personal circumstances for students who do not meet all of our eligibility criteria.

To be eligible to apply to our program students must: 

• Identify as a first-generation college student (neither parent has earned a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution)
• Meet our income eligibility guidelines
• Have a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher
• Live in the U.S.
• Be referred directly by BigFuture

Since our program is fully virtual, we expect our students to communicate and meet their coaches at least once a month once they are admitted into our program.

Program expectations:

• Commit to meeting once a month or as needed with their college coach 
• Be comfortable with communicating via Zoom, phone, email, and/or texting
• Communicate and follow through with their college coach within 2-3 days

Application Requirements

• Ensure you meet our minimum eligibility requirements listed above
• Complete and submit an application comprised of demographic information and short questions

If accepted, sign and submit our student and parent agreement that will be sent to you via email along with further instructions.

2023 Timeline

Mid-March: Application Launch

April 30: Priority Coach Matching Deadline

July 15:  Final Deadline

April-July: Student Onboarding

BigFuture participants have access to the following: 

• Workshops and events: We offer online workshops and events to help students complete our program steps.
• Tutoring and classes: We offer tutoring support for SAT/ACT and academic classes in partnership with AJ Tutors and a limited number of scholarships to take California A-G required courses with UC Scout.

What is the application process? 

Students are required to submit an application to our program and meet our eligibility requirements to be considered. Program acceptance isn’t guaranteed. After applications are reviewed, students will complete an online student and parent program agreement and watch a short video about our program. These are the three required steps that need to be completed before students can be paired up with a college coach.

How do students and families hear about your program? 

BigFuture refers students to ScholarMatch. If a student has indicated to BigFuture that they would be open to learning more about college access support and opportunities, then this student is referred to our program.

How can a student figure out their family’s income? 

If a student is unsure about their family’s income, we encourage them to ask their parents/guardians to confirm their annual family income. They can find this information in completed tax forms. If they haven’t filed taxes, a student can use their family’s W-2 statements or any other method used to keep track of their income.

How do students and coaches get paired up?

We match students to coaches based on students’ application information and matching preferences, such as timezone, hobbies, college majors, and desired industry. We approach matching holistically by considering many factors; our goal is to pair students with coaches who will be a good fit.

How many times do students have to meet with their coaches? What are the expectations in working with a college coach?

Our students meet with their coaches an average of 15 times during the program year. The busiest times are summer and fall, during which time we anticipate students and coaches meeting several times a month. During the winter and spring of the senior year, students typically meet with their coaches around 3-5 times per season.

What type of colleges do students apply to?

We recommend that students apply to colleges that are a financial, academic, and personal fit, so it varies based on their needs and preferences. Some students apply to more highly selective institutions, while others apply to regional schools because they want to stay closer to home.

I’m a student and I already have an idea of where I want to go to college, should I still apply?

Yes! Our coaches can still advise you and guide you through many other aspects of the college application process, including building your college lists to ensure you have a good mix of schools, so come decision time, you have many options to consider. In addition, you will also receive support on financial aid applications, personal statements, college offers, and more.

What if I am receiving support from another organization?

You are more than welcome to apply to our program, however, we find that students who are not receiving support from multiple organizations benefit the most from the one-on-one support that ScholarMatch provides. 

What is the duration of the program? Are there any student expectations?

Our program runs from mid-April (junior year) to June (senior year), depending on when a student joins our program. We expect that students meet virtually with their coaches at least once a month or as needed via text, email, Zoom, phone calls, etc. We also expect students to communicate and follow through with their coaches in a timely manner.

“ScholarMatch has allowed me to dream bigger and realize that I can pursue higher education without financial debt. My mentor is like one of my friends. She truly cares about me, we have engaging conversations, and we don’t just talk about only college applications. She’s helped me through so much, and she says it’s been a journey watching me grow this past year with the time we’ve spent together.”

– Vicky V., Class of 2022

 

“The ScholarMatch program has been a HUGE resource in helping me apply to college. (Big shout out to my ScholarMatch Advisor Nancy for everything she has done for me, including helping me to write essays, apply for scholarships, and prepare for interviews!!) ScholarMatch has provided me with many resources and information to know which college is my best fit. Because of the immense support I received, I will be going to Johns Hopkins University this upcoming fall! A fun fact about myself is that I love to watch pop culture analysis videos on YouTube.”

– Iheoma A., Class of 2022

 

“As a first-gen low-income student, I had no clue how to start applying for college. Upon meeting with my ScholarMatch coach, Amber, she transformed my fear into confidence and assurance that I would be able to accomplish my goals. Words can’t adequately express my gratitude for her role in my college application process, I don’t think I would have reached this point without her wisdom and dedication to my success!”

– Eden A., Class of 2022

 

“My college coach, Paul, has helped me find the right schools, guided me through the application process, and helped me secure enough aid to keep me debt-free. He’s been very kind, available, and never hesitates to lend some guidance. I’m positive I wouldn’t be where I am now without his help and the ScholarMatch program!”

– Steven R., Class of 2022