ABOUT THE FUTURE SCHOLARS PROGRAM
The Stony Brook University Future Scholars Program is a long-term initiative designed to support students from middle school through college. Rooted in proven models like Rutgers Future Scholars and GEAR UP, the program offers mentorship, academic enrichment, and college readiness resources to help students thrive.
The program begins with a pre-college environment for students starting in the summer before 8th grade, focusing on social development, leadership skills, university programming, engaging activities, and personalized mentoring. Support from the program continues throughout students' high school years and into their college education, ensuring ongoing guidance and resources.
The goal is to increase the number of low income (and potentially first-generation college) students who graduate high school and to encourage them to apply to and enroll in college, particularly Stony Brook University.
By providing essential resources and guidance, the program empowers students to maximize their potential and achieve their educational and professional aspirations.
Selection Process & Partner Schools
The Future Scholars Program provides flexibility in its structure. Each participating school will have allocated student slots available each year. If a student withdraws from the program for any reason, that slot can be filled by another student.
Partner schools include:
- Bridgehampton Union Free School District
- Hampton Bays Union Free School District
- Tuckahoe Common School District
- Southampton Union Free School District
- Riverhead Central School District
The eligibility criteria for the program's selection process are specifically designed to identify and support bright and scrappy students from low socioeconomic backgrounds and first-generation households. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate financial need, typically assessed through family income levels that fall below the national poverty line or criteria set forth by applicable funding bodies.
Additionally, the program seeks students who are the first in their families to pursue higher education, thus providing them access to opportunities that may not be readily available within their communities. Academic potential is evaluated through GPA, standardized test scores, and teacher recommendations, allowing the selection committee to identify students who possess strong intellectual curiosity and resilience despite challenges. '
Furthermore, the program emphasizes the importance of personal character and determination, encouraging applicants to share their unique stories and aspirations through personal statements or interviews. This holistic approach ensures that the program not only selects candidates who meet financial criteria but also those who demonstrate tenacity, motivation, and a desire to succeed, ultimately cultivating a diverse cohort of individuals poised for academic and professional achievement.