Your Path to College Starts Here
Thurgood Marshall College Fund presents, A FREE residential college-readiness experience for rising seniors at America’s First HBCU
The TMCF SOAR (Seeking, Observing, and Achieving Results) HBCU Scholars Program at Cheyney University is a one-week residential summer experience designed for 100 high school juniors (rising seniors).
Through immersive, hands-on programming, students will:
- Explore the HBCU experience
- Navigate the college admissions process
- Learn about financial aid and scholarship opportunities
- Discover academic programs and career pathways
- Build confidence, community, and college readiness
There is no cost to participate. The program is fully funded by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the Cheyney University Honors Academy.
What you’ll experience
The TMCF SOAR (Seeking, Observing, and Achieving Results) HBCU Scholars Program at Cheyney University is a one-week residential program for 100 high school juniors (rising seniors). This immersive experience gives students like you an opportunity to explore Historically Black Institutions, navigate the college admissions process, discover financial aid and scholarship resources, and gain insight into diverse career pathways and academic programs. Best of all, the program is completely free for all participants.
Video Source: Thurgood Marshall College Fund via YouTube
Eligibility
- Current high school juniors (Class of 2027)
- Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA (4.0 scale)
Program Details
Dates: July 5–11, 2026
Location: Cheyney University
Capacity: 100 Scholars
Cost: FREE
- Housing, meals, materials, and activities included
- Participants are responsible for travel to Philadelphia, PA
- Round-trip transportation provided between
30th Street Station (Philadelphia, PA) and campus for move-in and move-out
Why S.O.A.R is Worth It?
SOAR is more than a summer program, it’s where your HBCU journey begins. You won’t just learn about college; you’ll live the HBCU experience. Along the way, you’ll build confidence, find your community, and gain real opportunities that help you step into your senior year prepared, motivated, and knowing you truly belong in college.
Program Benefits
- Conditional admission to Cheyney University upon program completion and successful high school graduation
- Full scholarship consideration for students graduating with a 3.5+ GPA
- Student stipend
- Cheyney University swag
- Attendance at the HBCU Swingman Classic (July 10)
How to Apply
Application Requirements – Students must complete the universal application online and submit the following materials:
An official high school transcript
One letter of recommendation
A personal statement (250–300 words) responding to one of the prompts below:
Option 1: What are your short-term and long-term goals after high school, and how will participation in the TMCF SOAR Program help you achieve them?
Option 2: What motivates you to pursue higher education or a future career, and how have your experiences shaped your aspirations?
Application Deadlines and Dates to Remember:
- Applications Open: February 2, 2026
- Priority Deadline: April 3, 2026
- Final Deadline: April 18, 2026
Submitting by the priority deadline is strongly encouraged for early consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Participants will reside on-campus and engage in seminars, team-building activities, and workshops. The program includes:
- College admissions and financial aid sessions
- Networking with business professionals and HBCU alumni
- Interactions with college students
- Leadership and professional development activities
No. While the program emphasizes HBCUs, it is open to students exploring any college or university, including community colleges, trade schools, and more.
No. This is a fully residential program designed for in-person engagement.
Participants will be supervised by trained student staff with experience in mentoring and leadership, alongside professional staff members specializing in education and student engagement. A program coordinator with extensive expertise in academic management will oversee the program, ensuring a safe and enriching environment.
To apply, you must complete the online application and upload the following documents:
- Official high school transcript
- A 250–300-word personal statement
The application deadline is April 17, 2026, with priority consideration for applications submitted by April 3, 2026.