Cal Poly will partner with College Track to offer first-generation California scholars fully covered on-campus housing, tuition, food costs and other fees.

Ten to 15 first-generation College Track scholars, who are Cal Poly students, will receive the financial aid, along with one-on-one coaching, career readiness support, financial literacy education and community engagement. The funding for these services comes from a combination of federal, state and institutional financial aid and Cal Poly scholarship resources.

College Track is an organization that aims to provide first-generation scholars from underfunded communities with the academic, financial and individual support they need to pursue higher education and earn a bachelor’s degree.

In order to be an eligible scholar applicant, students must be entering the ninth grade, be first-generation or from an under-resourced household, remain dedicated to pursuing a bachelor’s degree and be able to participate in programming sessions at the on-site College Track location one to two times weekly. 

Cal Poly is the 23rd university College Track has partnered with and the second Cal campus to join the organization’s network of 13 communities across the nation. The collaboration will help make college education more accessible for students at both the San Luis Obispo and Solano campuses, according to University Spokesperson Keegan Koberl.

“The plan is to connect College Track scholars with existing Promise Scholars resources and services, which may include counseling support, enrollment in UNIV 1000, career advising, community building, peer mentorship and access to resources such as laptops, testing materials and printing,” Koberl said.

Promise Scholars houses several programs designed to provide under-resourced students with the financial and academic aid needed for their education at Cal Poly.

These programs include the Educational Opportunity Program, TRIO Achievers, MOSAIC Scholars, Presidential Scholars, Fortune Scholars and Cal Poly Scholars. By offering academic guidance, financial resources and a sense of community, these programs aim to support students who face financial and educational barriers.

Santiago Rodriguez, a civil engineering sophomore, is a first-generation Cal Poly Scholar and believes these academic programs have helped him build community on campus.

“I actually really like this scholars program here specifically because I feel like since we’re at like a PWI, it was a bit harder transferring over here,” Rodriguez said. “But with Scholars, I’ve met so many incredible people, and I’ve had so many resources to actually help me feel at home here at Cal Poly.” 

The partnership is offered to eligible College Track scholars who are admitted to and enrolled at Cal Poly during the agreement’s initial three-year term, and is effective for the 2026-2027 academic year.