Rising Scholars
The Rising Scholars program provides access to higher education to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students. Our program provides a community of support and services to empower students to succeed in their educational goals. Our program provides access to campus and community resources to remove barriers to education.
New to Mesa College?
Apply today and use our simple checklist for new or returning college students to learn how to apply, receive financial aid, and enroll in classes for an upcoming semester!
Get started at Mesa CollegeApply to be a Rising Scholar
To see if you are eligible to become a Rising Scholar student please complete the following Interest Form and a member of the Rising Scholar team will reach out to you.
Access the Rising Scholar Interest FormRising Scholar Eligibility
To apply and become a Rising Scholar, you must:
- Be enrolled as a student at Mesa College
- Identify as a student who has been affected by incarceration
Explore Program Benefits
There are many reasons to become a Rising Scholar. Explore the following program benefits:
- Academic/personal and career counseling
- Student-centered workshops
- Referrals to on- and off-campus resources
- Advocacy
- School supplies and bookstore cards (based on available funding)
- Safe and welcoming personalized support
- Laptop and calculator loans
- Partnerships with CSU and UC Rising Scholar programs including personalize support from SDSU and UCSD
- Expungement workshops
