Become Part of the SAGE Community
Join our strong community of scholars committed to career readiness, professional and leadership development, scholarships, and much more.
Eligibility
Class Standing
Student applicants must have junior standing (90 -134.9 units completed). Students can be an accelerated sophomore, junior, senior planning to stay a 5th year or a transfer student at UC Irvine planning to graduate in June 2027 or later.
GPA
Student applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at UCI or from another college if the applicant is a transfer student.
Financial Need
Student applicants must qualify for a significant level of financial aid, which is indicated by their Student Aid Index (SAI) on their Financial Aid Summary. Qualifying students must file a 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a 2025-2026 California Dream Act Application (under AB 130 and AB 131), and must have a Student Aid Index in the range of $15,000 or less.
Status for Work Eligibility
Student must meet one of the following:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Must have Permanent Resident Status
- Must be a student with DACA Status
Major
Open to all academic majors.
VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSIONS
RSVP for an upcoming information session to learn about the SAGE Scholars program and application process directly from the Director, Assistant Director, and meet current SAGE Scholars. Register online to join a session and get your questions answered.
Week 1 – Tuesday, September 30, 2025
10:00am-11:00am
Week 3 – Monday, October 13th, 2025
2:00pm-3:00pm
Week 2 – Friday, October 10th, 2025
12:00pm-1:00pm
Week 4 – Thursday, October 23th, 2025
12:00pm-1:00pm
How to Apply
Applications are now OPEN
The 2025-2026 SAGE Scholars Program Application process is outlined below. Please follow instructions and use the templates provided.
All application materials will be received electronically. We will not be accepting any in-person hardcopy applications. Applications will be reviewed as they arrive, so apply early. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Late submissions or partial documentation will not be accepted.
Required Application Materials
Unofficial transcript(s)
Please include website printouts of your unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended (including community colleges). Submission of official transcripts may be required after admittance into the SAGE Scholars Program.
Financial Aid Award Summary 2025-2026
Include your 2025-2026 financial aid award summary for the academic year from your online student account. It must include the “Student Aid Index” (SAI).
Resume
Please use the template below.
Brief Essay Responses
Please type and double-space your responses, number each answer to correspond with the questions, and upload the completed document with your application.
Question 1: Maximum of 500 words, typed, and double spaced.
Tell us about your background and what has shaped your academic, professional, and personal goals. Why are you interested in joining the SAGE Scholars Program, and what do you hope to gain from the experience?
Question 2: Maximum of 500 words, typed, and double spaced.
The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Share with us a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?ogram?
Interview Schedule Availability Form
Please complete the following 2025 Interview Schedule
Please have all your documents ready to upload in the application portal as you will not be able to save your progress.
Early submissions are highly encouraged.
The deadline for the SAGE Application is
Sunday, October 26 by 11:59 pm
Selected applicants will be notified if they will proceed for a group interview on
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Click the button for Frequently Asked Questions
