RTS Program Career Readiness Scholarship Program - Application for the 2027-28 Academic Year

APPLICATION START







Overview

Ready to Succeed (RTS) Career Readiness Program

College (and life) can be stressful, but you’re not alone. RTS helps you discover your strengths, shape your story, and build your network. The RTS Career Readiness Program is designed to unlock your potential by providing you with the coaching, connections, and community you need to launch your career and graduate. We are interested in learning more about you, your career goals, and how you think RTS can help you.

RTS Scholars Receive:

  • 💸 Access to Scholarship Funding: RTS Scholars receive a monthly Basic Needs Scholarship for program participation to be used toward gas, groceries, books, tuition, etc. Current active RTS Scholars received a $5,000/year scholarship | 2027-2028 Scholarship Amount: TBD

  • 💼 Career Coaching and Career Guidance: Tailored 1:1 coaching to help you achieve your professional, personal, and academic goals.

  • 👩‍💻 Cool Job and Internship Opportunities: Gain invaluable real-world experience and build up your resume.

  • 🫂 Community of Peers

  • 🫶 Wellness Support and Mental Health Resources

"RTS is different because they actually sit down and make a personal connection with you. They want to see you succeed." — RTS Scholar
"You need your tribe, your community. And RTS is more than just that. They're an extended family." — RTS Alum

ELIGIBILITY 

The program is designed to be a 3-year program, where we ideally begin to work with students after their first year of undergraduate studies until their graduation. Because of this, RTS has a strong preference for applicants who meet the following eligibility:

  • System-impacted background (such as Foster system / Foster care, Kin Gap Care, Adopted, Institutionalized group home, Legal guardianship, Wards of the court, Unaccompanied homeless youth, or similar experiences)

  • Pursuing a bachelor's degree at a California-based school

  • Current first-year student and/or graduation date of Spring 2030

    The RTS program runs primarily virtually — Advisor meetings, workshops, and support happen over Zoom, so you can stay connected no matter where you're based. 

If you do not meet the above listed eligibility requirements, you are likely not eligible for our program. However, if you have a special circumstance or have questions about our eligibility requirements, please email us at apply@readytosucceedla.org

RTS SCHOLAR EXPECTATIONS

What's expected of you each year, and how much time does it actually take?

At minimum, 2–6 hours a month — and everything happens virtually, so it fits around your class schedule and job.

Here's what that looks like:

  • A 1:1 coaching session with your RTS Career Advisor, at least once a month, over Zoom
  • Showing up for mandatory virtual workshops and events
  • Making progress on your Career Action Plan and knocking out any assigned to-do items by your Advisor 
  • Attend Orientation (virtually) and Camp Ready (in-person) in Summer 2027

Stay on track with your requirements, and you'll receive a monthly scholarship to help cover the Basic Needs such as groceries, gas, tuition, books. 2026–27 active Scholars receive $5,000 per year in the program. (2027–28 amount TBD.)


Watch this video to hear what RTS Scholars have to say about their experience.

"RTS is different because they actually sit down and make a personal connection with you. They want to see you succeed." — RTS Scholar

APPLICATION TIMELINE 

  • Application Opens on October 1, 2026. 

  • Application Deadline: January 31, 2027 

  • Applicants will be contacted about the status of their application by March 2027

  • Interviews: March 2027

  • Program participation for admitted scholars: Starts in June 2027 with Camp Ready and Orientation

APPLICATION LENGTH

You will need to use a laptop or desktop to complete this application. Depending on how reflective you are and how much you choose to write, the application could take anywhere from 45–60 minutes. You will be asked to submit your resume and transcripts in PDF format. [Optional: Resume template here].   


If you need to come back to this application later: Select "Save and Resume" at the top right. You will not be able to edit your answers once you click the "Submit" button and submit the application. You will be able to return to the application to pick up where you left off and/or edit previous responses until you submit the application or the deadline passes.


VIRTUAL INFO SESSIONS

GENERAL QUESTIONS 

Contact Info



example@gmail.com

example@school.edu


Confirm Eligibility



Based on the information you've provided, you may not be eligible for our RTS Career Readiness Program.

Please review the eligibility below and email apply@readytosucceedla.org if you believe you are eligible, or have questions. 

The program is designed to be a 3-year program, where we begin to work with students after their first year of undergraduate studies until their graduation. Because of this, RTS has a strong preference for applicants who meet the following eligibility: 

  • Have a system-impacted background (such as foster care, kin gap care, adopted, group home, legal guardianship, unaccompanied homeless youth, or similar experiences).
  • Are pursuing a bachelor’s degree at a California-based school 
  • Current first-year and/or have a graduation date of Spring 2030


DEMOGRAPHICS





Please select how you identify.






At RTS, we consider you a first-generation college student if you're getting the first 4-year bachelor's degree in your household--even if you have a sibling who has received/is receiving one too.

Regardless of the college you attend, do you consider yourself a Southern California resident? We are defining SoCal as any county from Ventura, LA, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego.

Regardless of the college you attend, do you consider your home base LA county? Note: LA county is more than the city of LA. It runs from San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys in the north, all the way down around Long Beach in the south.


Do you qualify for federal financial aid: Grants and/or Loans?







EDUCATION

College Information


For UCs or Cal States search "UC" or "CSU" | EXAMPLE: UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, CSU Los Angeles, etc. 
Type "OTHER COLLEGE" if your college is not listed.  
 





Unofficial Transcript





Please briefly explain.



When to plan to start your new college as of now?

When to plan to start your new college as of now?



We know this can change, but as of now, what month do you anticipate graduating?

We know this can change, but as of now, what year do you anticipate graduating?

Major


Please select using the first key word. We know this can change, but as of now, what is your current or expected major(s)? If you are undecided, please write "undecided."

If your major is NOT listed above, choose the major that most closely matches your major. 


Please select using the first key word. We know this can change, but as of now, what is your current or expected major(s)? If you are undecided, please write "undecided."

Please search using the first key word.

CAREER GOALS AND RTS INTEREST

College and Career Details







We know this can change, but what is your current plans after college?


A picture/headshot can help humanize your application and it can help the RTS Staff recognize and remember you! If selected to be a scholar, this headshot will also be used as your contact record picture in our data base. Please make sure it is a solo, clear picture of your face, from the top of your shoulders to slightly above your head.

                                                                          
Guidelines for Sharing Personal Experiences
We encourage authenticity and personal reflection in your responses. However, to create a safe and respectful space, we want to remind applicants that you are not required to share personal details about your foster care experience unless you feel comfortable doing so. Additionally, we ask everyone to be mindful of trauma sharing—the sharing of deeply personal or painful experiences in ways that may feel overwhelming for you and/or others to relive. 

We want to hear your story in your own words. If you use AI/digital tools, please make sure your final answers feel authentic to you and truthful to your life. Responses that feel 100% AI copy/pasted will not be reviewed. We also suggest drafting this in a word doc, then copying and pasting here once it is finalized. 
Tell Us About Yourself




Short Answer Responses





Summer Plans 2027 [Camp Ready/Orientation] 
If selected as an RTS Scholar,  you are expected to attend Camp Ready in Summer 2027 as part of your onboarding/orientation into the Career Readiness Scholarship Program for the 2027-28 academic year. 

We know Summer 2027 feels far away, so do your best to answer the following questions below: 


Overview of RTS Program Agreements
Our goal at RTS is to get you work and world ready. We do that by developing your career competencies, expanding your network, and building your experiences through:
  • 1:1 Individualized Career Coaching 
  • Exclusive Internships
  • Networking opportunities with RTS professionals and RTS alumni
  • Targeted Financial Support (Scholarship)
  • Basic Needs advising to support mental health and wellbeing

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SCHOLAR EXPECTATIONS: 
If selected as an RTS Scholar, I am committed to my personal and professional development and agree to be an active participant in the RTS Program and complete the necessary requirements which amounts to at minimum, 2 - 4  hours a month – part of which includes: 
  • attend Orientation (virtual) and Camp Ready (in-person)
  • a virtual Zoom check-in with an RTS advisor 
  • attending any of the offered mandatory virtual RTS workshops 
  • and making progress on my individual career action plan and goals

*Please note: there is flexibility with the above items as long as you are transparent, honest, and communicative with your RTS advisor should you be admitted into the program. The RTS program runs primarily virtually — Advisor meetings, workshops, and support happen over Zoom, so you can stay connected no matter where you're based. 



How Did You Hear About RTS?






Contact Information