Apply to the CARE Summer Bridge Program for 2024

The CARE Summer Bridge Program (SBP) provides a comprehensive program designed to ease the transition from high school to college while building a strong academic foundation. Applicants selected to participate in SBP will be first-generation college students who are also Pell-Grant eligible who have demonstrated a strong desire to succeed. The CARE Summer Bridge Program is open to Florida residents who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States.

Important Questions:

What is a First Generation College Student? Being a first-generation college student at FSU means your parent(s) have not earned a bachelor’s degree; if you have siblings in college, you are still considered a first-generation student.
What is Pell Grant Eligible?The Pell Grant is need-based financial aid for college students with exceptional financial need based on family income. You can find out if you are pell-eligible by completing the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

CARE Summer Bridge Program Requirements

Must be a first-generation college student.
Qualify for the Pell Grant as determined by the FAFSA and supporting financial documentation for both aid years.
Demonstrate strong evidence of possessing FSU's core values of Vires (strength), Artes (skill) and Mores (character).
Complete all the minimum academic courses as required by the state of Florida.
Meet Florida residency requirements.

Ready to Apply?

The application and all supporting documents must be received by the established FSU admissions deadlines for a decision. Log in to the Application Status Check regularly at admissions.fsu.edu/StatusCheck to monitor the status of your application.

Apply online at admissions.fsu.edu/undergradapp and indicate interest in the "CARE Summer Bridge Program".
Create your Self-reported Student Academic Record (SSAR) at admissions.fsu.edu/freshman/ssar using your official high school transcript. To learn more about the SSAR, view our FAQ and how-to videos at admissions.fsu.edu/freshman/ssar/videos.
Complete the following items on the Application Status Check (admissions.fsu.edu/StatusCheck) by the priority or final deadline:
- Self-report all ACT and/or SAT test scores.
- Link your SSAR by copying the 32-character code from your SSAR account.
- Complete the supplemental CARE Summer Bridge supplemental application which includes the essay prompts below.
- Choose one essay question found at admissions.fsu.edu/freshman/#essay, and upload your essay.
- Upload one résumé.
- Complete the Residency Declaration for tuition purposes form found at admissions.fsu.edu/residency.
Complete both the 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) fafsa.gov. The 2024–2025 FAFSA is currently available so you can submit it now.

Check regularly at admissions.fsu.edu/StatusCheck to monitor the status of your application.

Summer Bridge Short Answer Essay Prompts

Summer Bridge applicants must complete all short answer responses. Each response is limited to 300 words each. Please be sure to answer the questions completely.
1. Difficult life challenges can disrupt the academic journey of a student. Please identify a time when you overcame adversity and share strategies that supported you on your personal and/or educational journey.
2. CARE provides students with a strong network of support and engagement opportunities while at FSU. Please share how CARE and Summer Bridge Program will be a benefit to you in accomplishing your collegiate goals.

A completed application requires the following items:

FSU Admissions Application
Completed Self-Reported Student Academic Record (SSAR)
Submit application fee OR approved application fee waiver
Remember, the CARE Summer Bridge Program (Supplemental) Application is on the Status Check! The application will only be displayed if you are eligible for CARE (based on the information in your FSU application).
Completed all CARE short answer responses from above (each response is limited to 300 words each).
Self-report all SAT and/or ACT test scores
Complete both the 2023-2024 AND 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Additional Selection Information

Florida State University and the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE) are committed to providing access to higher education for educationally and economically disadvantaged students. The CARE Admissions Committee only reviews applications that are complete, containing all required attachments. Please note that acceptance is based on a variety of factors, which include (but are not limited to) academic performance, test scores, and short answer responses. Meeting minimum academic measures does not guarantee admission into Summer Bridge Program. Decisions by the CARE Admissions Committee are based on a variety of factors including academic performance, test scores, student short answer responses, educational history, family income, socioeconomic background, and family educational level. All students admitted to Summer Bridge Program must be eligible for the Pell Grant during summer and fall/spring terms.

Tips on Submitting Your Application

Remember, the Summer Bridge Program (Supplemental) Application is on the Status Check! The application will only be displayed if you are eligible for CARE (based on the information in your FSU application).
Test early and as many times as it takes to get higher scores!
If you are testing for the SAT or ACT at a later date, you can indicate that on the application!
The 2024-2025 FAFSA is available now and you should do it immediately to be considered for CARE.
Don't forget to complete the Self-Reported Student Academic Record (SSAR) and link it to the FSU application!
Proofread your short answer responses before submitting. Your written responses weigh heavily into the decision of the CARE Admissions Committee.
Before submitting, you will be able to review your application for accuracy.
Meeting minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission into Summer Bridge.