GATEWAY SCHOLARS
Our Mission
The Gateway Scholars Program is run by Student Success Initiatives (SSI) with the collaboration and support of the Student Outreach & Retention (SOAR) Center. Our goal is to support eligible students throughout their time at UCI by giving them the knowledge and resources needed to successfully navigate campus and prepare for life after college. Educational partnerships make up a cohort of students consisting of first-year, continuing, and transfer students who will receive support through intentional programming and advising to meet their academic, personal, and professional needs as they make their transition into UC Irvine.
Eligibility
In order to apply, students must be a participant from one of the following educational partnerships:
- Council of African American Parents
- Compton College Promise Initiative
- Santa Ana Unified School District
- Santa Ana College Promise Program
- Anaheim Union Education Pledge (Anaheim Union HS District, Cypress and Fullerton Colleges)
- KIPP Alumni
- Reality Changers of San Diego
- Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano
Advantages
Gateway Scholars will have access to the following resources and services:
- 1:1 academic counseling
- Peer mentorship with SOAR Pathfinders
- Specialized workshops and events held by SSI as well as SOAR
- Access to SSI’s Learning & Academic Resource Center (LARC) scholarship each quarter
- Access to SSI’s Item Loan Program
- Free testing materials (Blue Books, scantrons, etc.) from SOAR and SSI
- Low cost printing at SSI
- Specialized senior support (organizing post graduation plans, graduate school, etc.)
- Community with both SSI and SOAR
- GRADUATING SENIORS: program graduation stole for Spring 2025 commencement*
Program Requirements
Gateway Scholars must complete/meet the following requirements throughout the academic year:
Gateway Scholar Program Requirements
2025-2026
- Commit to the program for the entirety of the academic year (fall – spring)
- Must attend the Gateway Scholar Orientation, Week 0 of Fall Quarter (Tues. Sept. 23rd, 3:00pm – 5:30pm)
- Must meet with the Gateway Scholars counselor at least ONCE per quarter.
- Must meet with your Peer Mentor (SOAR Pathfinder or SSI Peer Educator) at least ONCE per quarter
- Attend one(1) SSI workshop per quarter
- Attend one(1) SOAR event per academic year
- Complete all program logs and evaluations
- Graduating Seniors: complete one(1) resume review with Gateway Scholars Counselor or the Division of Career Pathways
How to Apply
Applications open in the summer prior to each academic year. As Gateway Scholars is an opt in program, all students, new and continuing must apply each year. Eligible first year students will be contacted directly.
If you are interested in applying for the 2025-2026 cohort, applications are now live. To apply to be part of the 2025-2026 academic year cohort, please apply here.
Applications are due by 11:59pm on Tuesday, September 2nd.
Want to learn more? See below for informational on our virtual informational sessions
Gateway Scholar Early Start Program
About the Early Start Program
The Early Start program is an opportunity to help incoming first year freshmen and first year transfer students who are Gateway Scholars eligible achieve academic success while addressing and supporting personal and professional needs before starting classes in the fall. This virtual seminar series will address these themes through goal setting, networking, and strategies for navigating various resources and offices at UCI.
All new, incoming Gateway Scholars students are eligible for this program, it is not mandatory to apply for the academic year program to register for the Early Start series.
Early Start Program Dates
Series Topics
- Introduction
- Navigating UCI Resources
- Goal Setting with Time Management
- Career Development
- Networking
- Financial Literacy
Student Success Initiatives
Office: 2200 Student Services II
Email: ssioffice@uci.edu