Summer Fellows Program
Want to get a jump start on your sophomore year this summer?
The Stanford Summer Fellows Program (SSFP) provides a summer academic experience to help First-Generation and/or Low-Income (FLI) undergraduate students get a jump start on their second year at Stanford. SSFP is a residential cohort program that consists of a summer course, research introductory placement, academic advising, and workshops. Only current undergraduate Stanford students in their first year are eligible to apply.
Course Enrollment and Credit
Summer Quarter 2026: Students will be enrolled in a summer course that fulfills their WR 2 requirement, unless approved to take a different course.
About the Stanford Summer Fellows Program (SSFP)
SSFP is part of Leveling the Learning Landscape (L3)'s Improving Summer Impact effort that aims to leverage summers to foster early academic success, confidence, and belonging for undergraduate Stanford students. For the summer before the sophomore year, L3 efforts provide research, academic, and experiential opportunities to build their skills and networks for future endeavors and allow time to focus on a key course outside of the academic year.
SSFP is a residential cohort program that brings First-Generation and/or Low-Income (FLI) undergraduate Stanford students together for an eight-week on-campus program during the Summer Quarter between their first and second year. Students will:
- participate in a half-time research experience for eight weeks,
- take an approved summer course for credit,
- explore academic interests,
- participate in academic and professional development workshops, and
- engage in community-building activities focused on well-being.
The Stanford Summer Fellows Program will provide full financial support for all Stanford student participants to enable them to fully engage in this learning opportunity, with summer tuition to cover one course and on-campus housing and dining for the duration of the 8-week program. In addition, each student will receive a $3,000 stipend.
Important Dates
| SSFP Events | Date |
|---|---|
| SSFP Application Opens | Late November 2025 |
| SSFP Info Sessions | January 13 & 15, 2026 |
| SSFP Priority Application Deadline | January 23, 2026 |
| SSFP Regular Decision Deadline | February 13, 2026 |
| SSFP Selection Notification by | Late Winter 2026 |
| SSFP Participant Confirmation of Acceptance by | Late Winter 2026 |
| Summer Housing Sign-Up (8-week contract) Opens | Late Winter 2026 |
| Summer Course Enrollment Opens | April 6, 2026 |
| Summer Housing Sign-Up (8-week contract) Deadline. Note earlier deadline for OAE Housing Requests. | Early Spring 2026 |
| Move from Spring Housing to Summer Housing | June 17-20, 2026 |
| Summer Courses & SSFP Research Placements Begin | June 22, 2026 |
| Last Day of Classes | August 13, 2026 |
| Final Exams | August 14-15, 2026 |
| Move out of Summer Housing (8-week contract) | August 16, 2026 |