Frequently Asked Questions

The Summer Bridge Scholars Program (SBSP) is a 7 week, residential, in-person program that bridges gaps in opportunity created by inequitable systems in education. This exclusive, invititation-only opportunity allows scholars to learn to leverage their academic skills in this new environment, develop a peer support network, and to familiarize themselves with the campus and its resources. 

Now in its 49th year, the Summer Bridge Scholars Program offers an intensive and supportive academic environment, small class sizes with high levels of faculty attention, and highly individualized academic advising. In addition to the academics, current U-M students (most, if not all, of whom are CSP students and/or Summer Bridge alum) will live amongst you in the residence halls and plan in-hall programming that supports community building.

Staff from the University of Michigan Office of Undergraduate Admissions make determinations for SBSP based on a holistic review of your application, background, and interests. There is no formula for selection, but all admitted scholars are among the most competitive applicants from their high school and were strong candidates for admission.

This exclusive opportunity allows you to jump start your education with 6 college credits, build community with peers and U-M staff and faculty, and gain a competitive edge for the fall semester. 

Participation in SBSP will allow you to leverage your skills in this new environment and develop new skills that are pivotal to academic success at Michigan. This exclusive opportunity allows you to gain a competitive edge for the fall semester through the following:

• You will take two courses and earn six college credits. All credits will meet specific degree requirements. As this is college coursework, these courses are graded and will be reflected on your official University of Michigan transcript.
• Through courses and mandatory workshops, you will begin to network with U-M staff and faculty.
• Peer Advisors will plan in-hall programming throughout the summer to help you get to know your peers. Many of our scholars maintain this community through their U-M career. 

All Summer Bridge scholars will enroll in 6 credits during the summer half-term. The estimated cost of attendance for the 2024 summer half-term for a full time student (6 - 9 credits) is $8,862 for a Michigan resident and $19,073 for a non-Michigan resident. These estimates include the cost of tuition and mandatory fees, housing and meals, books and supplies, and other personal and miscellaneous expenses. 

Financial aid and scholarships are available to meet or assist with program costs for students who qualify. Learn more about both here.

Information about the Summer Bridge Scholars Program was included in your admission packet. Starting in February, correspondence with specfic details about the Summer Bridge Scholars Program will be sent to scholars via the email address scholars used when applying for admission to the University of Michigan. Additionally, you can contact us at any time at csp-bridge@umich.edu or 734-764-9128 if you have any questions or want additional information. 

The Summer Bridge Scholars Program begins with move-in day on Sunday, June 23, 2024. This will be the first day of a mandatory five day orientation program. Scholars will be provided individual move-in times via email. Classes begin early Friday morning, June 28, 2024 and U-M's summer term ends on Friday, August 16, 2024.

All Summer Bridge scholars will earn 6 credits by registering for 2 courses:

CSP 100: Seminar in Academic Engagement (3 cr.)

AND one of the following courses chosen in consultation with a CSP academic advisor:

CSP 103: Foundations in Quantitative Reasoning (3 cr.)
CSP 105: Writing and Culture Seminar (3 cr.)

You can learn more about course offerings here. These graded credits meet specific degree requirements and will be reflected on your official U-M transcript. 

During SBSP, scholars will participate in a few mandatory events. These events are scheduled for the following dates. Additional information about mandatory events will be provided upon scholars' arrival on June 23. 

• Orientation: June 23 - June 27
• Adventure Leadership Program: June 28 - 30
  
• Wellness Conference: TBA
• Closing Ceremony: August 13

In addition, peer advisors will host optional, program-provided evening and weekend programming in the residence halls. While these change every year, programs in the past have included movie and game nights, open-mic night, self-defense classes, resume workshops, and crafts like gratitude jars, succulent potting, friendship bracelets, slime-making, and more! 

Scholars should not obtain a part-time job during the 7-week program. Due to the requirements and schedule of the program, time to work a part-time job is extremely limited. There is also no work-study available in the summer term.

Scholars with financial concerns should contact the Office of Financial Aid. Please contact them at 734-763-6600 or ofa-outreach@umich.edu. 

Your uniqname is your U-M user name. It is used for logging in to U-M websites, online services, systems, and more. After your enrollment deposit is received or waived, you will receive an email invitation to set up your uniqname. This email is sent to the email address that you used to apply for admission to the University of Michigan. 

Your MCard is your official University of Michigan ID card. It has many uses from building and dining hall access to use as an ATM/debit card. We encourage scholars to submit a photo to the MCard office prior to coming to campus. Scholars who submit their MCard photo prior to June 16 will receive their MCard upon check-in to the program on Sunday, June 23. Those who have not submitted a photo prior to June 16 will have a photo taken during orientation which may delay receipt of their MCard and building access. 

We do not recommend that scholars bring a vehicle to campus during the Summer Bridge Scholars Program. While there is no policy against freshmen having cars on campus, finding long-term parking is both challenging and expensive. All courses are within walking distance of the residence hall and near public transporation to assist scholars in getting to their destination.

Take some time to review U-M Transportation Services bus routes and schedules, and Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority MRide Program and routes and schedules. 

All scholars planning to attend the Summer Bridge Scholars Program and the University of Michigan must submit a $300 enrollment deposit or request a waiver by May 1. 

Directions to request for an enrollment deposit waiver or extension can be found here. 

Scholars or their high schools can submit their final high school grades/transcript to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. If a school is unable to submit a scholars transcript before June 17, 2024, scholars can bring a hard copy of their final report card or transcript with them on move-in day on Sunday, June 23rd. Admissions representatives will be present to collect these documents. 

Once scholars have paid their enrollment deposit and submitted their FASFA, they can log into Wolverine Access and head to the New & Prospective Student Center, where they can locate the following financial information: 

• Financial Aid Document Status: See what documents you have submitted and what other documents are needed to complete your financial aid application for a given year.*
• Financial Aid Award Summary: View the financial aid awards you have received for the coming year.*
  
• Financial Aid Award Notices: View and print your financial award notice (or estimated award notice).* You can also save a copy of the award notice file for emailing or printing.
  
• Accept/Decline Financial Aid: Select this option to accept, decline, or reduce aid that you have received for a given year.
  
• Report Additional Aid: Select this option to report other awards (such as private scholarships) that aren’t listed on your award notice or to inform us that you are not enrolling for a given term.
  
• Financial Planning Calculators: See an estimate of your university bill and/or find out how much alternative loan or PLUS loan you are eligible to receive.*
  

If you have more information regarding your packet or financial aid please connect with the Office of Financial Aid.

*Parents and others with Friend Accounts can also view this information.

Some students and families may be asked to submit additional documents to be considered for need-based U-M grants and scholarships. These can include supplemental forms, copies of federal tax returns, or other pertinent materials. When this is required, we will contact you by email.

Simply sign in to Wolverine Access to view a list of needed documents.

About Wolverine Access: This is a quick, convenient way for students and prospective students to access password-protected personal university information, including financial aid documents, financial aid notices, and student account statements. For more about using Wolverine Access and viewing your documents, visit the ITS website.

Some students who have not received a uniqname from U-M ITS can use a Friend Account to log in to Wolverine Access and view their financial aid information.

Submit your documents by doing one of the following:

• Preferred method: Via Wolverine Access document upload 
  
• In-person at the Office of Financial Aid or by mail:

2500 Student Activities Building
515 E. Jefferson St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1316

• Via fax at 734-647-3081

If you have questions about this process, please email ofa-outreach@umich.edu.