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The Summer Scholars program provides scholarships for talented female high school students to participate in a summer academic program at one of our partner programs – some of the most rigorous and selective colleges and universities in the country.
Scholars receive a full or partial scholarship, based on demonstrated financial need, to cover tuition, room and board, travel expenses, and supplies. The Joyce Ivy Foundation works directly with our set of program partners to combine Joyce Ivy scholarships with additional financial aid provided by the summer program.
Summer Scholars may use their scholarship to participate in certain summer academic programs at our partner colleges and universities. Eligible courses are two-weeks or longer in length. In some cases students are eligible to receive college credit. In most cases, Scholars receive financial aid from the Joyce Ivy Foundation and a partner scholarship from the summer program.
Apply to directly to the summer program for admission and financial aid, if applicable. Identify yourself as a Joyce Ivy applicant.
Apply directly to the Joyce Ivy Foundation to be considered for the Summer Scholars Program.
Pay attention to deadlines! Note that our summer program partners have different application deadlines.
We require all applicants to apply to their summer programs by March 1st, 2022, even if the summer program application deadline is after March 1st.
Who are Joyce Ivy Summer Scholars?
Being honored as a Joyce Ivy Scholar and getting the chance to study at Brown was life-changing to say the least. All of a sudden, the uncertainty behind whether or not I was truly capable of accomplishing my seemingly unattainable goals were shattered, and my confidence grew exponentially. I was able to carry that mindset into the college application process and take risks with how high I dared to reach -- and that led me to getting accepted to my ultimate dream school, Harvard. I will forever be grateful for the belief the JIF community had in me, and for the people I was able to meet in the process. Amal Sayed
Summer@Brown '20
Amal Sayed
Dearborn Heights High School '21
Harvard University '25
I enjoy being a part of the Joyce Community because it has opened up so many opportunities that I would have never even thought about as a girl from Ohio. This program has inspired me to shoot high and take risks when it comes to thinking outside of the box. Before becoming a Joyce Ivy Scholar the college application process thought of attending an Ivy League college have always been extremely foreign to me, but now that obstacle seems a lot smaller. This program is absolutely life-changing and inspiring. Octavia Holland
JIF '21
Octavia Holland
Charles F Brush High School '23
My Joyce Ivy experience played a huge role in me even going to college. As a first-generation college student, it prepared me for what college would be like and affirmed my decision to go away to a four-year college. Alyssa Melendez
Smith Creative Writing Workshop '15
Alyssa Melendez
Homeschool '16
Miami University '20
Joyce Ivy made it possible for me to attend Summer@Brown, which is where I fell in love with Brown. After my JIF summer experience, I applied and was accepted to Brown, where I have spent the past four years. I am so grateful that Joyce Ivy helped me see that attending a school like Brown was really within my reach. Likewise, the financial aid sessions that I attended during the Joyce Ivy College Admissions Symposium as well as during Summer@Brown helped me and my parents understand financial aid packages. Those sessions made it possible for me to afford Brown. Jasmine Bacchus
Jasmine Bacchus
William Mason High School '17
Brown University '21
Exposure to a diverse array of peers
Exposure to a broader range of college options
Development of leadership skills
Academic and intellectual growth
Greater self-confidence
Scholars describe the experience as transformative
Eligible applicants are female identifying high school students living in Michigan, Ohio, Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, North Dakota or South Dakota, who also attend high school in one of these seven states.
Applicants are academically high-achieving students who will be entering 11th or 12th grade in Fall 2022. Occasionally, an exceptional rising 10th grader is selected as a Summer Scholar.
Past Summer Scholars, who used their scholarships, are not eligible to apply again for another scholarship.
December 5, 2021 2022 application available online
March 1, 2022 Application deadline
By April 1, 2021 Decisions released via email
April 22, 2022 Scholarship reply deadline
Summer Scholar Application Components
Two Short Answer Essays (250 words)
One Long Essay (650 words)
Parent/Guardian Tax Forms (Form 1040) for the prior 2 years
Official Copies of PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores, if applicable
Copies (screenshots) of financial aid applications submitted to partner summer programs
One Letter of Recommendation from a teacher or counselor
Official High School Transcript
Summer Scholars applicants must also apply directly to our summer program partners for admission financial aid. Please check our partners' sites for deadlines.
Apply Today→
2021 Summer Scholars At A Glance
82 Scholars from 59 different secondary schools
rank in the top 15% of their high school class
have a 4.0 GPA or higher
will be first generation in their family to attend college
identify as women of color
Should you not find the answer to your question below, please reach out to info@joyceivyfoundation.org for more information.
Who is eligible for a Joyce Ivy Foundation scholarship?
Applicants must be female identifying high school students in Michigan, Ohio, Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, North Dakota or South Dakota. Summer Scholars are academically high-achieving students who will be entering 11th or 12th grade in Fall 2022. Occasionally, an exceptional rising 10th grader is selected as a Summer Scholar. Past Summer Scholars, who used their scholarships, are not eligible to apply again for another scholarship.
I am a male student. Am I eligible for a Joyce Ivy scholarship?
The Joyce Ivy Foundation is committed to the academic advancement and leadership development of young women from the Midwest. In recognition of our changing world and evolving understanding of gender identity, the Joyce Ivy Foundation will consider for the Summer Scholars program any applicant who identifies as female and feels they would benefit from joining a community of empowered women, regardless of the gender assigned to them at birth. Students assigned female at birth who now identify as male are not eligible to apply. Our gender policy does not affect the network and support offered to our growing alumnae base – once a member of the Joyce Ivy community, always a member of the Joyce Ivy community, regardless of gender identity.
I was named a Joyce Ivy Scholar before. May I apply again?
No, except in extenuating circumstances – such as illness or injury – students will be named a Summer Scholar only once.
If I applied to the Joyce Ivy Summer Scholars program in the past, but was not selected, may I apply again?
If you previously applied, but were not selected as a Scholar, you are welcome to apply again. Make sure you still meet the eligibility requirements and list your prior application on your current Joyce Ivy application.
I am new to the idea of summer programs and scholarships. How does this work?
Joyce Ivy partners with a specific set of colleges and summer programs. The quality of the experience, inside and outside of the classroom, is important, and these partners also have a commitment to enrolling a diverse student body, including students from the Midwest, and making scholarships available. Review our set of summer program partners. You might pick a program based on a class that is offered, or because you are interested in that college or university, or because you are curious about what it is like to study in that part of the country. After you pick your summer program and course(s), you should simultaneously work on the applications for the specific summer program(s), including financial aid (if applicable), and the Joyce Ivy application. You do not need to wait to receive an acceptance notification from the university in order to apply to the Joyce Ivy Foundation. Make sure you are aware of all deadlines – the summer program deadlines are often different from the Joyce Ivy Foundation deadlines.
Are study abroad, off-campus, or online courses available for Joyce Ivy support?
Normally, the Joyce Ivy Foundation would not support study abroad, off-campus, or online courses. However, in light of the COVID-19 global pandemic, for summer 2022, the Joyce Ivy Foundation will support virtual or on campus programs, pending individual institutions' decisions. Please review our list of eligible programs carefully.
How long are the programs? May I participate in more than one?
Supported programs are at least two weeks in length. We are not able to divide a scholarship between different programs.
Do you ever make exceptions and allow scholarships to be used as summer programs that are not current Joyce Ivy partners?
No, the Joyce Ivy Foundation has special partnerships in place with the colleges and universities on our list. These institutions offer academically rigorous summer s and have a demonstrated commitment to making their programs accessible to students from different backgrounds, geographic regions, and income levels. Through our special partnerships, we work closely with these programs to build scholarship packages.
When and where should I send my application materials?
All components of your Joyce Ivy application should be submitted online. Our application portal will allow you to upload your transcript, test scores, tax information, financial aid applications, and make a request to a teacher or guidance counselor to upload a letter(s) of recommendation. If you are unable to upload a document, you may submit it via email to info@joyceivyfoundation.org or via fax at 734.661.0229. If you are unable to submit materials via one of these methods, please contact us.
Should I also apply for financial aid with the summer program?
Yes, applicants to the Joyce Ivy Foundation must also apply to the summer program institution for financial aid. The summer programs need these applications to calculate your partner scholarship. Many programs have limited funds that they award on a rolling basis, so be aware of deadlines and apply early. We also recommend that students apply to at least two summer programs to increase your financial aid and admission options. Students applying to Brown do not need to apply for financial aid directly with Brown and will automatically be considered for a partnership scholarship if you identify yourself as a Joyce Ivy applicant. It is Brown's policy that students who are being considered for a partnership scholarship may not also apply for a Dean's Scholarship.
​Are there fee waivers for the summer program applications?
In some cases, yes. We recommend you reach out directly to info@joyceivyfoundation.org to inquire about fee waivers. Depending on the summer program partner, the Joyce Ivy Foundation may cover the application fee for selected Joyce Ivy Scholars who demonstrate financial need.
My parents are divorced. Do I need to submit tax information for both parents?
If you have two living parents who are divorced, please submit tax returns from both parents. If securing tax returns from one parent will be an issue, please contact info@joyceivyfoundation.org
Who should complete my application?
Students should complete all components of the application. While we encourage parents and guardians to assist in the process, the student should complete the application.
How many letters of recommendation should I send in?
The Joyce Ivy Foundation requires one letter of recommendation. You may submit a letter of recommendation that was written for a summer program application.
Is it advantageous to submit my application earlier than it's due?
While getting your application in well before the deadline does not have an effect on the final decision made by the Joyce Ivy Foundation, submitting it early does allow for it to be checked and for us to notify you of any missing components. Applying early to the summer programs for admission and financial aid is also helpful because it allows Joyce Ivy and the summer program to track you as a Joyce Ivy applicant. Summer programs also usually award financial aid on a rolling basis, so there is more aid available the earlier you apply.
I want to apply to more than one summer program. Do I need to submit a new application to the Joyce Ivy Foundation for each program?
No. You should only submit one application to the Joyce Ivy Foundation. Please indicate on your application which summer programs you have applied to – and don't forget to identify yourself as a Joyce Ivy applicant on your summer program applications!
Does being a Joyce Ivy Foundation applicant or Summer Scholar influence my application to a summer program?
The summer program offices at each institution have authority over admissions decisions. Being named a Joyce Ivy Scholar does not guarantee admission. Many of our partners do grant special status to Joyce Ivy applicants; however, their admissions, financial aid, and course selection process is competitive. It is important to apply by the summer program deadlines or earlier, if possible.
I sent you my completed application. Now what happens?
Completed applications (including all supplementary materials) are due on March 1, 2022. You are welcome to submit anytime between December 6 and March 1. The Joyce Ivy Foundation will send decision notifications via email by early April and the deadline for accepting the scholarship is mid April.
Are Joyce Ivy scholarships for low-income families only?
The majority of our scholarship money goes to supporting families with the greatest financial need. We have two need-based funding levels: up to $6,600 (typically family income under $75,000) and up to $3,300 (typically family income between $75,000-$150,000). We also grant a very small number of $1,000 awards for students with family income above $150,000. Joyce Ivy scholarships may be used in addition to any scholarships/financial aid awarded directly by our summer program partners.
What are my chances of receiving a scholarship?
The Joyce Ivy Foundation scholarship is competitive. In our decision process, we consider a student's academic record, intellectual qualities, extracurricular involvements and leadership in her school and community. We also take into account family circumstances and we consider how transformational the opportunity might be for the student (for example, if this will be the first opportunity to travel away from home). Typically, one in every three or four applicants is awarded with a Joyce Ivy scholarship.
I'm in 9th grade. What are my chances of receiving a Joyce Ivy Summer Scholarship?
You are more likely to receive a Joyce Ivy Summer Scholarship as a 10th or 11th grader. While we sometimes select an exceptional 9th grader as a Summer Scholar, please know that you will be competing against some of the top 10th and 11th graders in your state.
How are final Joyce Ivy scholarship amounts calculated?
The Joyce Ivy Foundation looks at the cost of each summer program as well as an estimate of airfare and sundry expenses Scholars will have when attending. We also work closely with our partner schools on what financial aid the schools are able to offer. In addition, we factor in what families believe they are able to contribute and their financial situation. If you have special financial circumstances, please let us know. In many cases, the Joyce Ivy Foundation is able to put together a package that fully funds the Scholar for the summer. Moreover, it is our hope that even in cases where we can offer only partial funding, no Scholar will be prevented from attending a program based on financial constraints, although this is not always the case. Most often, our scholarships range from $1,000 to $6,600. Financial aid from the summer programs can be up to one half the cost of the program or more.
Will summer programs take place on campus this summer?
Many of our partner institutions are presently planning for on-campus programs this summer, with virtual options also being available. Plans may continue to change; therefore, we recommend monitoring the individual institutions' websites for the most up-to-date guidance on their plans.
Are virtual programs still a valuable experience?
Yes! Joyce Ivy Summer Scholars participated in virtual programming in the summers of 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. In our post-experience survey, 94% said the quality of teaching was very good or excellent. 92% reported very good or excellent participation from other students in the classes. We anticipate that with a longer planning period this year, institutions will do an even better job of engaging students. Just like with on-campus programs, virtual summer sessions still allow Joyce Ivy Summer Scholars to meet students from around the globe, interact with world-class faculty and staff, and gain powerful insights about their undergraduate preferences and plans.
I am not interested in participating in a virtual session this summer. What happens if I apply to a residential program that later decides to go virtual? Can I defer my scholarship to next year?
If a program changes from in-person to virtual after a student applies, we will consider deferrals on a case-by-case basis. We will also work with Scholars to find another on campus option that could be suitable. Deferrals are not available for current juniors.
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The Joyce Ivy Foundation is a registered 501c3 organization in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service. Annual financials on Form 990 are available upon request.