Start at community college.
Finish with a bachelor’s degree.
For Berkeley public high school graduates starting at community college with a plan to transfer, and for those who have at least a year to go before they do.
There are two ways in. You’re graduating from Berkeley High School, Berkeley Technology Academy, or Berkeley Independent Studies and heading to Berkeley City College or another local community college in the fall. Or you graduated from one of those schools in the last few years, you’re at a local community college now, and you plan to transfer within the next year or two. Either way, the goal is the same: a bachelor’s degree.
Most BCS scholars are the first in their families to go to college, qualify for a Pell Grant, and belong to groups underrepresented in earning bachelor’s degrees. If that sounds like you, this program was built for you.
Eligibility, including how recently you need to have graduated, is on the Apply page.
The Journey
01
Start here, from high school
It begins right after you receive your high school diploma, before your first day on campus. You spend three to five days at orientation, where you meet your college success advisor and the other scholars in your year and build your first plans together:
- An academic plan with your courses, your major, and your minor,
- A financial plan including your aid package and the creation of an annual budget for the year,
- A social, emotional, and wellness plan that prepares you for taking care of your body, mind, and spirit,
- A start to a career that best aligns with your interests, talents, and values,
- A pragmatic plan for what to do on the day you arrive on campus.
You’ll go from feeling overwhelmed to feeling prepared.
02
Start here, from community college
You’re already enrolled, and you’ve already done some of the hard part. You join where you are: an advisor, a scholarship for the terms you have left, and a transfer plan built with someone who has walked it before.
03
Transfer
Your advisor walks alongside you through it all: applications, admission, financial aid, and moving. When you’re in good standing, you’ve applied to transfer, and you’ve been admitted to a four-year college or university, your scholarship continues there. Same advisor, same network, just a new campus.
04
Graduate
A bachelor’s degree from the four-year college you transferred into. The same degree, on the route that worked for you. If one extra term would let you finish your requirements, or take on a program or an experience that makes the degree mean more, the Finish Line Fund is there for that.
05
Start a career
A degree is the goal, but a first job is the point. Career readiness runs alongside your advising the whole way through: skills you learn on your own schedule, one-on-one coaching, and networking events with real professionals in real rooms. And the BCS Community Network of alumni, community mentors, and local employers you can reach out to for advice, an introduction, a practice interview, an internship, or maybe even a job.
What’s Included
A scholarship every term
Up to $24,000 over four years, up to $6,000 a year, for tuition, books, housing, technology, transportation, and the costs that really add up. Plus three funds for the moments in between: Emergency, Opportunity, and Finish Line.
A College Success Advisor
From acceptance to transfer to early career. Someone who knows you, meets with you one-on-one, and helps with the plan and with the problems.
Career readiness
Learn interview and job-searching skills, practice them with coaches and professionals, and get connected with employers.
The BCS Community Network
A network of BCS alums, community mentors, and local employers you can reach out to when you need something specific, and who will answer.
What we ask of you
Come to orientation the summer before you start. Stay enrolled full time. Meet with your advisor on a schedule that the two of you set each term. Send us an update twice a year. Show up for BCS events over the summer and on breaks, and be part of the community. And a real plan to transfer, which we build together. In return: everything above, up to six years.
Ready to apply?
Eligibility, dates, what you’ll need, and the application are all in one place.