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Summer Scholars

The Joyce Ivy Foundation’s Summer Scholars Program provides scholarships for academically high-achieving young women who are high school students currently in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade. These scholarships fund participation in summer pre-college programs at some of the most rigorous and selective colleges and universities in the country.

Scholars receive a full or partial scholarship, based on demonstrated financial need, to cover tuition, room and board, travel expenses, and supplies. The Joyce Ivy Foundation works directly with program partners to combine Joyce Ivy scholarships with additional financial aid provided by the summer program.

The link will be made available to apply for the 2027 Summer Scholars Program on October 15, 2026.

Program Partners

We partner with a number of pre-college programs.  Eligible courses are two-weeks or longer in length. In some cases, students are eligible to receive college credit.  Please see links to each program below.

IMPORTANT

To be considered, applicants should:

  1. Apply directly to the Joyce Ivy Foundation to be considered for the Summer Scholars Program by January 15, 2027.
  2. Research your options and apply directly to the summer program(s) for admission and financial aid. Identify yourself as a Joyce Ivy applicant.
  3. Pay attention to deadlines and eligibility! Note that our summer program partners have different application deadlines.

Barnard College: https://precollege.barnard.edu/summerprograms

Bentley College: https://www.bentley.edu/precollege/programs

University of California-Berkeley: https://precollege.berkeley.edu/summer-computer-science-academy

Brown University: https://precollege.brown.edu/

Dartmouth College: https://sites.dartmouth.edu/summerscholars/

Harvard University: https://summer.harvard.edu/high-school-programs/

Johns Hopkins University: https://summer.jhu.edu/programs-courses/pre-college-programs/

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): https://mitadmissions.org/apply/prepare/summer/

Northeastern University: https://precollegeprograms.northeastern.edu/

Northwestern University: https://nhsi.northwestern.edu

Smith College: https://www.smith.edu/academics/precollege-programs/summer-programs

Spelman College: https://www.spelman.edu/academics/summer-programs

Yale University: https://globalscholars.yale.edu/about

Who are Joyce Ivy Summer Scholars?

Being honored as a Joyce Ivy Scholar and getting the chance to study at Brown was life-changing to say the least. All of a sudden, the uncertainty behind whether or not I was truly capable of accomplishing my seemingly unattainable goals were shattered, and my confidence grew exponentially. I was able to carry that mindset into the college application process and take risks with how high I dared to reach -- and that led me to getting accepted to my ultimate dream school, Harvard. I will forever be grateful for the belief the JIF community had in me, and for the people I was able to meet in the process. Amal Sayed
Summer@Brown '20
Amal Sayed
Dearborn Heights High School ‘21
Harvard University ‘25

Who are Joyce Ivy Summer Scholars?

I enjoy being a part of the Joyce Community because it has opened up so many opportunities that I would have never even thought about as a girl from Ohio. This program has inspired me to shoot high and take risks when it comes to thinking outside of the box. Before becoming a Joyce Ivy Scholar the college application process thought of attending an Ivy League college have always been extremely foreign to me, but now that obstacle seems a lot smaller. This program is absolutely life-changing and inspiring. Octavia Holland
JIF '21
Octavia Holland
Charles F Brush High School '23

Who are Joyce Ivy Summer Scholars?

My Joyce Ivy experience played a huge role in me even going to college. As a first-generation college student, it prepared me for what college would be like and affirmed my decision to go away to a four-year college. Alyssa Melendez
Smith Creative Writing Workshop '15
Alyssa Melendez
Homeschool '16
Miami University '20

Who are Joyce Ivy Summer Scholars?

Joyce Ivy made it possible for me to attend Summer@Brown, which is where I fell in love with Brown. After my JIF summer experience, I applied and was accepted to Brown, where I have spent the past four years. I am so grateful that Joyce Ivy helped me see that attending a school like Brown was really within my reach. Likewise, the financial aid sessions that I attended during the Joyce Ivy College Admissions Symposium as well as during Summer@Brown helped me and my parents understand financial aid packages. Those sessions made it possible for me to afford Brown. Jasmine Bacchus
Summer@Brown '16
Jasmine Bacchus
William Mason High School '17
Brown University '21

Who are Joyce Ivy Summer Scholars?

As a first generation college student and a woman going into a STEM field, I lacked the confidence to assert myself and reach for really difficult goals until I went to Barnard in 2017. I was introduced to this bustling new environment and surrounded by like minded women who uplifted and supported me. I still keep in regular contact with two of those women! The classes I took encouraged me to change my small town perspective on the world and think critically about race. After attending Barnard in the summer of 2017, I was empowered to seek out colleges and experiences outside of Ohio, further enriching my academic life and my social consciousness. Barnard helped me find my voice as a first-gen and advocate for my needs throughout my college experience. Ashley Mathews
Barnard Summer in the City '17
Ashley Mathews
Batavia High School '18
Rollins College '22

Who are Joyce Ivy Summer Scholars?

Joyce Ivy helped me learn how to effectively communicate with well-respected professors, make friends quickly, and explore unfamiliar places. Hannah Baynesan
Summer@Brown '17
Hannah Baynesan
Belleville High School '18
Princeton University '22

Who are Joyce Ivy Summer Scholars?

As a student who goes to a public high school, I always dreamed of what it would be like to go to a private and prestigious university. Having the opportunity to get a snippet of what that life would look like in high school without any financial barriers has allowed me to believe that I am capable of going to institutions where there aren't many people who look like me. I now not only have a more well-rounded perspective of what college is, but also how transformational it can be when walking on to an Ivy League campus. During my summer program, I never once felt comfortable, in a good way. I was always gaining new ideas that allowed me to stretch my way of thinking. I also know that this was not just a one-time summer program, but a lifelong learning experience. The best part of all is that I am able to make this journey even better and more accessible for the next generation of female leaders through the Joyce Ivy Foundation. Elizabeth Alene
Summer@Brown '22
Elizabeth Alene
Highland Park Senior High School '24

The Details

Benefits

  • Exposure to a diverse array of peers
  • Exposure to a broader range of college options
  • Development of leadership skills
  • Academic and intellectual growth
  • Greater self-confidence
  • Scholars describe the experience as transformative

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are female identifying high school students living in Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio or South Dakota, who also attend high school in one of these eight states.

Applicants are academically high-achieving young women who are currently in 9th, 10th or 11th grade (2026-2027).

Past Summer Scholars, who used their scholarships, are not eligible to apply again for another scholarship.

 

Dates & Deadlines

October 15, 2026 2026 application available online
January 15, 2026 Application deadline
By February 15, 2027 Decisions released via email
March 1, 2027 Scholarship reply deadline

Summer Scholar Application Components

  • Three Short Answer Essays (250 words)
  • One Long Essay (650 words)
  • Parent/Guardian Tax Forms (Form 1040) for the prior 2 years
  • Official Copies of PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores, if applicable
  • Copies (screenshots) of financial aid applications submitted to partner summer programs
  • One Letter of Recommendation from a teacher or counselor
  • Official High School Transcript

Summer Scholars applicants must also apply directly to our summer program partners for admission financial aid. Please check our partners’ sites for deadlines.

Summer Scholars At A Glance

100%
rank in the top 15% of their high school class
75%
have a 4.0 GPA or higher
40%
will be first generation in their family to attend college
64%
identify as women of color

FAQs

Should you not find the answer to your question below, please reach out to info@joyceivyfoundation.org for more information.

Applicants must be female identifying high school students in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, or South Dakota who want to take a course at some of the country’s most selective colleges this coming summer. Applicants may be US or non-US citizens so long as they reside and attend high school in the states listed. Summer Scholars are academically high-achieving students who (usually) will be entering 11th or 12th grade in Fall 2027. (Occasionally, an exceptional rising 10th grader is selected as a Summer Scholar, but it’s rare.) 

If you are already a Joyce Ivy Summer Scholar, congratulations!  No need to fill out the application again – we don’t award more than one scholarship per person.

The Joyce Ivy Foundation selects our summer program partners based on the quality of the experience, both inside and outside the classroom, and on their commitment to enrolling a diverse student body, including students from the Midwest. Through this process, the Joyce Ivy Foundation works with our summer program partners to provide scholarship assistance for our named scholars to experience enriching on-campus learning opportunities.

Not sure which summer program interests you? Review our set of summer program partners above. You may choose a program based on a class offered, your interest in that college or university, or your curiosity about what it is like to study in that part of the country. Once you find a summer program partner that is a great fit, you can apply for the Joyce Ivy Foundation scholarship and apply to your desired summer program once the application opens.  In most cases, you should also fill out the financial aid forms associated with those programs.  Reminder: Stay up to date on all deadlines; summer program deadlines often differ from Joyce Ivy Foundation deadlines.

Yes! There are separate application processes: one for the Joyce Ivy Foundation scholarship, and one (or more) for the summer program(s) of your choice. You need to apply to any program you think you want to attend as well as the Joyce Ivy Foundation’s scholarship application.  

If you cannot attend your summer program without knowing if you have been awarded a scholarship from Joyce Ivy, don’t worry – you will know if you have been awarded a scholarship before you have to make a decision about attending your summer program.

In many cases of demonstrated financial need, yes. We recommend you reach out directly to info@joyceivyfoundation.org to inquire about fee waivers. Depending on the summer program partner and your family’s financial need, the Joyce Ivy Foundation may cover the application fee or work with your partner school to see if it will waive it.

Our scholarship timeline is set to accommodate our summer program partners process, so you shouldn’t have to wait long. But as long as you turn in your Joyce Ivy scholarship application by January 15, 2027, Joyce Ivy will consider your application.Turning in your Joyce Ivy scholarship application early does not make getting the scholarship more likely; we read all of the applications received at the same time and only make decisions once we have our entire pool.  (Though turning it in even a few days before the deadline will give us time to warn you if something is missing before the deadline passes). If your chosen summer program’s application isn’t open at the time of applying for the Joyce Ivy scholarship, you can follow the steps below:

  1. Submit your Joyce Ivy scholarship application and indicate your summer program(s) of choice.
  2. Apply directly to the summer program(s) once their application opens. You can monitor our summer program partners application process by viewing the listed Program Partners direct links above.
  3. Fill out the applicable financial aid forms for the summer programs. Joyce Ivy helps to fill gaps to make sure our Scholars can attend the program of their choice, but we want you to take full advantage of scholarship dollars already available from the institutions offering the summer programs. 

The Joyce Ivy Foundation scholarship is competitive. In our decision process, we consider a student’s academic record, intellectual qualities, extracurricular involvements and leadership in her school and community. We also take into account family circumstances and we consider how transformational the opportunity might be for the student (for example, if this will be the first opportunity to travel away from home or allows you to explore a subject area that isn’t available in your area). Typically, one in every three or four applicants is awarded with a Joyce Ivy scholarship.

If you previously applied, but were not selected as a Scholar, you are welcome to apply again. Make sure you still meet the eligibility requirements and list your prior application on your current Joyce Ivy application. 

No. You should only submit one application to the Joyce Ivy Foundation no matter how many summer programs you have applied to. You will be asked on your application which summer programs you have applied to. Don’t forget to identify yourself as a Joyce Ivy applicant on your summer program applications!

Supported programs are at least two weeks in length but are sometimes longer. We only award a scholarship for a single program.

No.  The Joyce Ivy Foundation has carefully considered which summer programs it will support and exclusively funds those at the  colleges and universities on our list. These institutions offer academically rigorous summer programs, have a demonstrated commitment to recruiting students from the Midwest, and make their programs accessible to students from a wide range of  backgrounds and income levels. Through our special partnerships, we work closely with these programs to ensure Joyce Ivy Scholars have a high-quality experience.  If there is a school that is not on our list that you think we should consider adding, we are happy to hear that feedback, but you should plan on applying to one or more of the excellent programs available at the institutions on our list.

All components of your Joyce Ivy application should be submitted online. Our application portal will allow you to upload your transcript, test scores, tax information, financial aid applications, and make a request to a teacher or guidance counselor to upload a letter(s) of recommendation. If you are unable to upload a document, please contact us at info@joyceivyfoundation.org

Yes, unless you are applying to a program at Brown University (we work with them to identify eligible Joyce Ivy applicants). Applicants to all other programs also apply to the summer program institution for financial aid. The summer programs need these applications to calculate your partner scholarship. Many programs have limited funds that they award on a rolling basis, so be aware of deadlines and apply early. We also recommend that students apply to at least two summer programs to increase your financial aid and admission options. 

If you have two living parents who are divorced, please submit tax returns from both parents. If securing tax returns from one parent will be an issue, please contact info@joyceivyfoundation.org .

You should! We expect students can and should complete all components of the application. While it is okay to get advice or proofreading from another source (parents, guardians, teachers, counselors, computer tools), the student should fill out the webform and all writing should be substantively the student’s own.

Applicants are welcome to use resources including AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Claude) to brainstorm topic ideas, seek feedback on a draft, or proofread a final version of the application materials. Appropriate use of AI and other support resources will not advantage or disadvantage a student’s candidacy. In short: AI-assisted writing is okay, but AI-generated writing is not. The same is true for human assistance: for example, a counselor or friend might point out that a paragraph is unclear and suggest ideas to improve it, but they should not rewrite that paragraph for you. The most effective essays are personal, specific, and self-reflective–Joyce Ivy wants to learn about your experiences and the way you think, in your own voice. No one (and no machine) can tell your story the way you can!

For your Joyce Ivy application, probably not.  While getting your application in before the deadline does not have an effect on the final decision made by the Joyce Ivy Foundation. Submitting it early does allow for it to be checked and for us to notify you of any missing components. 

For your applications to the partner programs, yes!  Some popular programs fill quickly, so those who apply early can have an advantage.  For all of our programs, applying early to the summer programs for admission and financial aid is also helpful because it allows Joyce Ivy and the summer program to track you as a Joyce Ivy applicant. Summer programs also usually award financial aid on a rolling basis, so there is more aid available the earlier you apply.

The summer program offices at each institution have authority over admissions decisions. Being named a Joyce Ivy Scholar does not guarantee admission to any program. Many of our partners do recognize that  Joyce Ivy applicants tend to be great students and succeed on their campus, and they take that into account.  But their admissions, financial aid, and course selection process is competitive, so it is important to apply by the summer program deadlines or earlier, if possible.

Completed applications (including all supplementary materials) are due on January 15, 2027. You are welcome to submit anytime between October 15 and January 15. The Joyce Ivy Foundation will send decision notifications via email by mid February and the deadline for accepting the scholarship is early March. The e-mail address you provide on your application must be one you check regularly.  

The majority of our scholarship money goes to supporting families with the greatest financial need. We have two need-based funding levels: up to $6,600 (typically family income under $85,000) and up to $3,300 (typically family income between $85,000-$160,000). We also grant a very small number of $1,000 awards for students with family income above $160,000. Joyce Ivy scholarships may be used in addition to any scholarships/financial aid awarded directly by our summer program partners.

The Joyce Ivy Foundation looks at the cost of each summer program as well as an estimate of airfare and sundry expenses Scholars will have when attending. We also work closely with our partner schools on what financial aid the schools are able to offer. In addition, we factor in what families believe they are able to contribute and their financial situation. If you have special financial circumstances, please let us know. In many cases, the Joyce Ivy Foundation is able to put together a package that fully funds the Scholar for the summer. Moreover, it is our hope that even in cases where we can offer only partial funding, no Scholar will be prevented from attending a program based on financial constraints, although we can’t guarantee we will be able to do that in every case. Most often, our scholarships range from $1,000 to $6,600. Financial aid from the summer programs can be substantial, so it is important to apply for financial aid from both the college or university and Joyce Ivy.

The Joyce Ivy Foundation provides young women with opportunities to explore colleges and access summer learning experiences beyond the Midwest. Through our summer program partnerships, the Foundation supports students attending residential summer programs held on the partner institution’s campus only. We do not provide support for online or off-campus programs, except in extenuating circumstances – such as illness or injury.

For our Summer Scholars, the Joyce Ivy Foundation welcomes any applicant who identifies as female, regardless of gender assigned at birth. Our admissions policy does not affect the network and support offered to past Summer Scholars; once a member of the Joyce Ivy community, always a member of the Joyce Ivy community, whatever your gender. We also welcome all students to our annual, free Joyce Ivy College Admissions Webinars and Joyce Ivy College Admissions Symposium, whether they are named a Joyce Ivy Summer Scholar or not.