Your journey
to and
through college
begins here
Join the nation’s leading program where 100% of Scholars are accepted into four-year colleges and 85% graduate with a Bachelor’s degree!
Our flagship program, SEO Scholars is a rigorous, free eight-year academic program that transforms public high school students in New York City, San Francisco, North Carolina and Miami into college graduates.
Application Qualifications
Students must:
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Complete three written responses to writing prompts
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Submit an official report card
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Submit a teacher recommendation
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Show proof of income
All SEO Scholars
enter our eight-year program as freshman in high school with year-round academic training and mentorship. During high school, students receive over 700 hours of additional ELA and math instruction and then receive continuous academic advising, career development, and mentoring throughout college.
For complete requirements, check your specific location:
“The most valuable lesson I learned from SEO is the value of passing along the resources and knowledge you gain as a developing professional to the members of your community who will come after you.”
Shenir Dennis SEO Scholars Alumnus, Santa Clara University, Class of 2022
“This summer I’m interning at Bronx TBI Services, AHRC NYC, where I’ll be creating one-page profiles, supporting interest groups, and even observing clinical sessions. I’m excited to gain hands-on professional experience while building connections in a field I’m passionate about.”
Brandy Attah SEO Scholars ‘23, Boston University
“The SEO Scholars program helped me realize that I’m the measurer of my own success. Through the program I’ve secured the opportunity to join Vivian Health as a User Research and Strategy Intern!”
Mikayle Despaigne SEO Scholars ‘23, Smith College, Posse Scholarship Program
“I never thought I’d land an internship at Amazon as a Software Development Engineer, but thanks to the SEO Scholars program, here I am! I’m looking forward to finally working in the industry I’ve been working toward for the past five years!”
Jeffrey Oyuela SEO Scholars ‘21, CUNY Hunter College
SEO Scholars New York
Applications for the high school class of 2029 with SEO Scholars New York open in the fall.
Priority Deadline: November 14
Final Deadline: December 5
Check out our SEO Scholars New York page for more information, complete application requirements and application form.
SEO Scholars San Francisco
SEO San Francisco High School Scholas class of 2029 applications will open September 1st
Check out our SEO Scholars San Francisco page for more information, complete application requirements and application form.
SEO Scholars North Carolina
Applications for the high school class of 2029 with SEO Scholars North Carolina will open in September.
Check out our SEO Scholars North Carolina page for more information, complete application requirements and application form.
SEO Scholars Miami
Applications for the high school class of 2029 with SEO Scholars Miami are now open!
Priority Deadline: November 8
Final Deadline: December 6
Visit our SEO Scholars Miami page for more information, complete application requirements and application form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for more information? Check out our FAQ for deeper answers to the most common questions.
SEO Scholars is a free program! Everything we provide to our Scholars is free, including but not limited to academic classes, SAT prep, field trips, guest speaker sessions, Enrichment Programs (pre-college, study abroad, or internship), etc.
Financial eligibility is assessed on a case by case basis. While financials are evaluated alongside all parts of each students’ application, SEO Scholars have an average income of $40,000.
We look for driven and eager students who are willing to put in the extra time and effort to succeed academically. In addition, we know that a college education can have the greatest long-term impact on lower income families. Therefore, we do not make admissions decisions based solely on income, but we do consider this factor in our deliberation process.
To apply to SEO Scholars you must submit an online application that includes:
- An official report card
- Three written responses to writing prompts
- A teacher recommendation
- Proof of income
No. We’re committed to getting students academically prepared for college, which makes them more likely to earn admission to competitive schools and to earn financial awards like scholarships and grants. The SEO Scholars program assists students in navigating the college admissions, scholarship, and financial aid processes with the goal that they’ll attend a good college without incurring large debts. In the end, however, the student’s effort and commitment is what will determine their admission to colleges as well as their scholarships and/or financial aid packages.