Charting a Course to Completion: Stanford Summer Session

Stanford Summer Session

Through the Office of Retention Services, Foothill College students can attend one class at Stanford’s Summer Session for free. The class will be a 3-unit, 8 week, in person class chosen from a list provided by Stanford for our cohort. This program helps students progress on their academic journey by experiencing a different leaning environment. Stanford works closely with our students to provide a unique experience for our cohort by providing specific programming to help our students learn important skills to bring with them on their academic journey.

This program’s main goal is to give students the opportunity to experience what it is like to attend a 4-year university. It is not guaranteed that the class students take at Stanford will transfer or help them meet any degree requirements, this program is entirely about the experience of taking a class at a prestigious institution like Stanford to help them build their confidence as they pursue their academic goals.

The classes are 8 weeks and run from the last week in June to the 3 third week in August. All classes are in person on Stanford’s main campus, students. After applications are reviewed, follow-up interviews will be conducted to determine the final group of students for this opportunity. Only 5 spots are available for this opportunity.

Previous Summer Session students who completed their course are not eligible to participate in this year’s cohort.

If you have any questions regarding this application, please contact Chris Chavez at chavezchris@fhda.edu. For more information, please visit our website: https://foothill.edu/retention-services/stanford-summer-session.html

*Submission Deadlines:
Submission Deadline: February 13th, 2026
Interviews: February 24th – March 6th, 2026
Decision release date: March 12th, 2026

Stanford Summer Session requirements:

· Meet Stanford Vaden Health Requirements: provide proof of vaccination for MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), complete a TB screening which may require a further TB blood test, and to provide proof of health insurance.
· Be at least 18 years of age by the start of the summer program, have graduated from high school (or the equivalent), and have completed at least one term of college or university level work.
· Attend a program orientation/Stanford Campus tour in May.
· Attend Stanford Summer Session Welcome Weekend event, Saturday before classes start
· Attendance at biweekly (every other week) events at Stanford to attend special events hosted by Summer Session and community building events hosted by Foothill.
· Commitment to attending the Summer Session class in person for all 8 weeks.
· Complete a Stanford Summer Session application through Stanford if you are chosen to participate in the 2025 cohort.

Application criteria:
1. Full completion of the application, including a referral from a Foothill staff, faculty, or administrator and uploading your unofficial transcript.
2. Have Foothill College as your primary school (more credits at Foothill College than at De Anza College).
3. Be prepared to participate in a 15–30-minute interview with the review committee.

Priority given to:
· Students who have demonstrated financial hardship through completion of the FAFSA, CA Dream Act or an explanation of financial hardship in the supplementary questions.
– We encourage you to fill out the FAFSA for 2025-26 if you haven’t done so already. This will greatly improve your chances of positive review, especially if you show high need.
· First-generation college students (you are the first person in your family to attend college).
· Students who have the intent to transfer to a 4-year university.
· First-time degree earners (no prior degree such as a Bachelor’s or Associate’s).
· Students who will continue with Foothill in the following fall term.
· Students who attend the Stanford Summer Session information event held on Foothill’s campus on January 14th, 2026

Application requirements:
· Fill out the Academic Works general scholarship application.
· Fill out supplemental application questions, including uploading your referral.
· Upload unofficial transcript to scholarship portal.

Selection process:
A selection committee comprised of Foothill faculty, staff, and administrators will review applications and then select candidates for interviews. The decision timeline will follow the dates listed above.
Please complete the Supplementary application questions.

Supplementary application questions:

Award
Stanford’s Summer Session Tuition
Scopes
Foothill College
Deadline
02/13/2026
Supplemental Questions
  1. Please tell the committee what excites you about this opportunity? Write a short paragraph that includes the following: 1. Why are you interested in participating in the Stanford Summer Session? 2. How do you see this experience advancing your academic and professional goals?
  2. If you were selected for this opportunity, what steps would you take to put yourself in the best possible place to succeed? What would be your plan of action to approach the Summer Session.
  3. Are you able to provide proof of vaccination of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), if your vaccine records are inaccessible, you can take a blood test to prove you have been vaccinated.
  4. Are you able to provide proof of health insurance that will cover you throughout the duration of the Summer Session (August, 2026)
  5. Are you a first-generation college student (you are the first person in your family to go to college)?
  6. Are you a first-time degree earner at Foothill College? (this means you have not completed any degrees at any other institutions)
  7. Will you be attending Foothill for the following 2026-2027 academic year?
  8. Have you had a prior internship or job at Stanford?
  9. If you have had a prior internship/job at Stanford, do you remember your Stanford ID? (Optional)
  10. We prioritize students who have demonstrated financial need or hardships. Please explain any circumstances that help describe your need for financial support. If this part is not filled out, your application may not receive consideration. One paragraph suggested.
  11. Please share if you plan on taking any college courses for summer 2026. If yes, how many classes will you plan to take? Either write No, and if Yes include how many
  12. How many hours per week do you plan on working during the summer?
  13. Please upload a copy of your current unofficial transcript from Foothill College. Go to Student Registration app in MyPortal and click Unofficial Transcript then "print" page and/or to be able to save as PDF
  14. Please provide the name and e-mail address of a Foothill faculty member, staff member, or administrator for a “meaningful paragraph that speaks to [the applicant’s] dedication and work ethic towards [the applicant’s] studies.” *Note: When you submit your application for this scholarship, an e-mail will automatically be sent to this person requesting that they write and upload a letter of recommendation for you. However, the referral does not need to be a full letter of recommendation, only one paragraph that speaks to why the Foothill Faculty member, Staff member, or Administrator feels the student would have the best chance for success if they were to participate in this opportunity. Please contact this person before you submit your application to ensure that they can write the letter for you by the scholarship deadline.
  15. Please share any final explanations, comments, or questions for the selection committee to consider when reviewing your application.
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