The 2026 USC Bovard Scholars application is now open!

We are excited to welcome our tenth cohort of Bovard Scholars to the USC campus this summer. As I write, our ninth cohort is in the midst of the college application process, working with our program’s college admissions counselors to refine essays and applications. Our eighth cohort is enjoying their first year as college freshmen at top-tier universities across the country—think Harvard, Columbia, the University of Chicago, the University of California, Berkeley, and right here at USC.

We invite all high-achieving high school juniors with financial need to apply.

Do you or someone you know fit these requirements?

• Junior in high school (11th grader) at time of application
• Currently hold a 4.0 GPA or above
• Enrolled in Algebra II, Trigonometry or above
• Demonstrate financial need

If so, you are eligible to apply.

If selected, each Bovard Scholar will have one full year of support through the admissions cycle and spend two weeks on the USC campus, where they will receive:

• Personalized career exploration
• Expert admission and financial aid support
• Comprehensive test preparation
• Leadership development

This year, the summer intensive runs from July 13, 2026, through August 1, 2026.

We offer the program at no cost to students or families. USC will pay for transportation to and from campus for students outside of Southern California.

Applications are due January 16, 2026, at 5:00 pm PST.