Frequently Asked Questions

The Startup Scholars Program is a fully funded scholarship and academic support program at San Francisco Bay University designed to support first-generation students who want to build businesses, create technology, or develop projects that make a real-world impact — all while earning a college degree.

The program is based at San Francisco Bay University in Fremont, California, located in the heart of Silicon Valley. This location provides scholars with access to networking opportunities that can lead to internships, mentorship, and employment.

Startup Scholars goes beyond tuition assistance by investing in students’ passion project ideas and providing mentorship, academic support, and real-world opportunities to build, launch, and grow impactful projects while earning a degree.

Startup Scholars receive comprehensive support, including:

• 100% tuition coverage for up to four years
• $10,000 to develop a passion project or startup
• 100% housing costs covered in SFBU housing located across the street from campus
• $400 per month for meals and basic needs (e.g., food, shampoo, laundry soap)
• A laptop to use during college and keep after graduation

In addition to financial support, scholars receive one-on-one mentorship from faculty and university leadership, academic advising and success coaching, access to industry mentors and professional networks, ongoing guidance through SFBU Student Support Services, and a close-knit cohort experience.

Applicants should:

• Be a first-generation college student (neither parent has earned a four-year degree)
• Have a minimum 3.0 high school GPA at the time of application
• Demonstrate financial need
• Commit to at least two years (four semesters) of full-time enrollment at SFBU
• Be motivated to work on a passion project and persist through challenges

No. Applicants do not need a fully developed idea to apply. Selected scholars develop their projects through a faculty-taught seminar course that provides structured guidance, feedback, and support.

Projects may include business or startup ideas (for-profit or nonprofit), community impact or social innovation projects, technology, research, or creative initiatives, or any project aligned with the student’s passions and goals.

Startup Scholars are working on a wide range of passion projects across business, technology, and community impact. To learn more about the projects our scholars are developing, visit the Meet Our Scholars page.

No specific major is required. Applicants from a variety of academic interests are encouraged to apply.

There are two application deadlines:

• Priority Deadline: February 15
• Final Deadline: March 6
  • Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by the priority deadline, as space in the program is limited.

Only admitted SFBU students can apply to the Startup Scholars Program.

To apply:

1. Complete the SFBU undergraduate admissions application
2. Indicate interest in the Startup Scholars Program
3. Once admitted to SFBU, complete the Startup Scholars Program application

Applicants must submit a 4-minute video that includes:

• An introduction to who you are
• A description of your passion project idea
• Why you choose this idea
• Why you are a good fit for the program and SFBU

**Applications submitted without a video will not be considered.**

Only admitted SFBU students can access the Startup Scholars Program application. If you cannot see the application, please reach out to your enrollment counselor to check the status of your SFBU undergraduate admissions application or for troubleshooting assistance. You can find your enrollment counselor by logging into your student portal. 

If you have not yet submitted your SFBU undergraduate admission application and want more information, please contact our enrollment team for more information.

Yes. The Startup Scholars Program includes a Family Involvement Program to help families stay informed and engaged throughout the student’s college experience.

International students are not eligible for the Startup Scholars Program or scholarship. However, SFBU offers a range of other scholarship opportunities. Interested students are encouraged to contact the enrollment team for more information.

The Startup Scholars Program is available only to first-time freshmen entering directly from high school. Students with dual-enrollment college credit earned during high school may still be eligible. Applicants are encouraged to contact the SFBU enrollment team to confirm eligibility based on their individual situation.