New Scholar Agreements & Commitments 2024-25
By accepting the Cal Poly Scholars financial award, you agreed and committed to fulfilling the following during your first year at Cal Poly (select each section to learn more). These commitments are designed to assist Scholars in fostering an inclusive community of Scholars, building a personal support network for college success, and developing knowledge and skills for lifelong success.
*Scholar agreements are subject to change each academic year.
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Housing
Year 1 Scholars
Your Agreements & Commitments
- Reside on campus while enrolled during the academic year*
- Complete the housing application for the continuing students during the specified time frame (typically early winter quarter)
We Encourage
- Reside, engage, and participate in the Year 1 Scholars residential learning community by attending events and meeting fellow Scholars
*To learn more about first-year, on-campus housing requirements, including possible exemptions, please visit http://www.housing.calpoly.edu/freshman_live_on_requirement.
New Transfer Scholars
- Reside in an environment conducive to success on- or off-campus. One option includes residing on campus with other transfer students in the Transfer and Graduate Community.
Program Participation
Year 1 Scholars
Your Agreement & Commitment (beginning Fall 2024)
- As a new student in the Cal Poly Scholars program you'll be partnered with a mentor! Through one of our approved mentorship programs, you and your mentor will meet a minimum of three (3) times during the academic year - ideally once per quarter or multiple times your first quarter. These connections may include one-on-one interactions, small group gatherings, and/or participating in Scholars community events together.
More information regarding specific mentorship options will be shared via email this summer. Keep checking your Cal Poly email for details.
We Encourage
- Participate in university, department, academic college, and club workshops and events that support your personal and professional interests and goals.
New Transfer Scholars
Choose one of the following two options to fulfill this requirement:
- Transfer Academic Coaching: Join and participate Transfer Scholar Academic Coaching offered through the Transfer Center. You will be required to meet once (1) per quarter with your Transfer Scholar Academic Coach for a total of three (3) meetings during the academic year. (Details regarding sign-ups will be shared later this summer).
- Engage in a minimum of three (3) events/workshops hosted by the Cal Poly Scholars program. Approved events, workshops, and other engagement opportunities can be found on Cal Poly Now.
- Participate in university, department, academic college, and club events and workshops that support your personal and professional interests and goals.
Advising & Academic Achievement
Year 1 Scholars
- Participate in and pass the UNIV 100 course for first-year Scholars. During the summer, all Year 1 Scholars will be block enrolled into UNIV 100 for Fall 2024. Do not drop this course!
- Engage in at least one (minimum) 1:1 academic advising interaction with assigned Mustang Success Center advisor
- Participate in SLO Days during one of the session dates listed for Cal Poly Scholars, and attend the 'Academic Toolkit' session with the Mustang Success Center
- Scholars with a cumulative GPA of < 2.5 and/or on Academic Probation (AP) or Disqualified (DQ) will have additional advising and/or participation requirements from Cal Poly Scholars, University, and/or academic colleges
- Note: Being on AP (Academic Probation) does not impact your eligibility to be a Cal Poly Scholar, though depending on your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), it may impact your scholarship and other financial aid.
- A general definition of SAP is to maintain a 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA and successfully complete at least 67% of attempted units for financial aid eligibility
- For more details, please talk with your financial aid counselor and review SAP guidelines on the Office of Financial Aid website
- Set a personal goal of 2.75 GPA or higher
- Reach out to advisors for academic resources and support
New Transfer Scholars
- All Scholars on Academic Probation (AP) are required to participate in one or more AP interventions to ensure you have support and guidance to reach your academic goals. The options for satisfying this requirement vary by college. You'll be notified after grades are posted each term about how to meet the conditions of your college and the Cal Poly Scholars program.
- Note: Being on AP does not impact your eligibility to be a Cal Poly Scholar, though depending on your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), it may impact your scholarship and other financial aid (see the Academic Achievement section for more details regarding SAP)
- You are highly encouraged to meet with an academic advisor or retention specialist from your college at least once per year. Key reasons to meet with academic advisors include:
- Planning for future quarters to meet your desired graduation term
- Exploring academic support and planning resources including tutoring, study tips, etc.
- Discussing impacts of withdrawals, Leaves of Absence, CR/NC, etc.
- Checking academic requirements for graduation
- Interpreting academic policies and procedures
- Set a personal goal of 2.75 GPA or higher
- Reach out to advisors for academic resources and support
FAFSA/CA Dream Act
All Scholars
- Complete the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application annually by the specified date as set by the Office of Financial Aid (typically around March 1, though extended to May 2 for 2024)
- Reach out to the Office of Financial Aid with questions regarding FAFSA or the CA Dream Act Application prior to the deadline for completion
Personal Responsibility and Conduct
All Scholars
- Abide by all University policies and expectations, including, but not limited to:
- University Housing Resident Handbook and Community Standards Guidelines (if residing on campus or visiting residential communities)
- Office of Financial Aid policies and eligibility requirements regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
- Additional policies and procedures as outlined by the respective academic colleges
- Demonstrate personal responsibility and conduct consistent with the ideals of a Scholar, including, but not limited to:
- Cal Poly’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Initiatives
- Cal Poly’s Commitment to Community
| Scholar Definitions | |
|---|---|
| Year 1 Scholars | New Cal Poly Scholars who are enrolled in their first academic year at Cal Poly as non-transfer students |
| New Transfer Scholars | New Cal Poly Scholars who are enrolled in their first academic year at Cal Poly as transfer students |
| Cohort or Scholar Cohort | A group of Cal Poly Scholars who enrolled, for the first time, at Cal Poly in the same academic year as either Year 1 Scholars or New Transfer Scholars (e.g. Scholars who entered during the 2017-18 academic year are in the 2017 Cohort) |
