Summer Springboard

Knowledge Base

MAIN FAQ

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GET ANSWERS TO SUMMER SPRINGBOARD'S MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BELOW BY EXPLORING OUR KNOWLEDGE BASE.

Main FAQ

Summer Springboard’s Knowledge Base is your go-to resource for quick, reliable answers to our most frequently asked questions, saving you time and effort. By exploring it, you’ll gain clarity and confidence, ensuring you have the information you need right at your fingertips.

Please click on the links to browse the FAQs by section:

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How Do I Apply?

You can visit our website at www.summerspringboard.com/apply to get the application process started online or contact our Admissions Officers at 858.780.5660 today!

An application, $600 program deposit and application fee (starting at $99) are required to reserve your space. You can call one of our Admissions Officers with your credit card information or use our secure online system.

Criteria for Admission

All students may be required to be vaccinated for in-person programs (depending on university requirements)

High School:

  • Must have completed 8th grade of high school by program start date
  • 3.0 Grade Point Average (or local equivalent) for all programs

International students must demonstrate proficiency in English via a telephone interview, or they may provide one the following minimum test scores:

  • TOEFL: 490 on paper test or 60 on iBT test
  • Cambridge: PET-Distinction or FCE-C
    SAT: 450 in Reading/Writing

Middle School:

• Must have completed 6th grade of middle school by the program start date
• 3.0 Grade Point Average (or local equivalent) for all programs

International students must demonstrate proficiency in English via a telephone interview, or they may provide one the following minimum test scores

A Completed Application for High School and Middle School Campus Based Programs Includes:

  • Non-refundable Application fee (varies depending on time of year) + $600 program deposit
  • Short answer essay questions
  • Signed agreement forms

We review completed applications and notify students of final decisions by email in 7 to 10 business days.

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How Much Does It Cost?

Campus Based High School Program

Residential tuition costs between $5,298 – $6,498 (+ supplemental fees) and includes orientation, site visits, guest speakers, college tours, college admissions overview, college readiness workshops, lodging, breakfast, lunch, dinner, evening activities, and weekend excursions. Check in is day 1 at 3pm and check out is day 13 at 10am.

Residential tuition by campus

Commuter tuition costs between $2,998 – $3,498 (+ supplemental fees) and includes orientation, site visits, guest speakers, college tours, college admissions overview, college readiness workshops, and lunch. Commuter students are welcome on campus from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.

$4,498: UW Foster School of Business

$3,498: MIT Campus

$3,398: NYSID

$3,298: UCSD, Barnard, Berkeley, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, Georgia Tech

$2,998: Cal Poly, Duke, Georgetown, Michigan, Washington, Vanderbilt

$2,498: Yale, Oxford

* Tuition Supplements for Campus Based Programs: 

Application fee: Starts at $99 (mandatory, non-refundable)

Course Tuition Supplement $250 (mandatory)

  •   Architecture
  •   Artificial Intelligence – A Responsible Approach
  •   Automotive Engineering
  •   Biotechnology
  •   Dentistry
  •   Design Thinking & Rapid Prototyping
  •   Emergency Medicine
  •   Engineering – A Project Based Introduction
  •   Fundamentals of Engineering
  •   Innovation & Entrepreneurship
  •   Marine Bio
  •   Marine Science & Ecology
  •   Nursing
  •   Pediatrics
  •   Pre-Med
  •   Robotics
  •   Veterinary Medicine

Group airport transfers: $95 each way. (Transfers outside of the official group pick-up and drop-off time window are $195 each way)

Unaccompanied minor transportation: $145 total each way

Middle School Program

Residential tuition costs $2,898  (+ supplemental fees) and includes orientation, site visits, guest speakers, college tours, college admissions overview, afternoon labs, lodging, breakfast, lunch, dinner, evening activities, and weekend excursions. Check in is day 1 at 3pm and check out is day 6 at 10am.

Commuter tuition costs $1,498 (+ supplemental fees) and includes orientation, site visits, guest speakers, college tours, college admissions overview, afternoon labs, lunch.

* Tuition Supplements for Campus Based Programs: 

Application fee: Starts at $99 (mandatory, non-refundable)

Group airport transfers: $95 each way. (Transfers outside of the official group pick-up and drop-off time window are $195 each way)

Unaccompanied minor transportation: $145 total each way

Course Tuition Supplement $250 (mandatory)

  •   Architecture
  •   Marine Bio
  •   Medicine

Online Academies

9-Day Summer Immersion Academy: $1,798

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What Ages are the Students?

Most students in the high school program are between 15 and 17.

Our flagship offering – two week pre-college summer programs for high school students – are only for students that are rising freshman Freshman to graduating seniors.

The middle school programs are for students that have at least finished 6th grade through completing the 8th grade. The middle school programs operate separately from Summer Springboard high school programs with separate staff, accommodations, schedules, classes, activities, and a more structured environment.

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Who are the Instructors?

Courses are taught by accomplished and passionate faculty recruited from many area colleges, universities and professional forums. Each faculty member is selected for their subject area expertise and proven ability to both challenge and captivate students.

Beyond theory, students will hear firsthand from experts in their field. These professionals connect abstract concepts to real world practice. Additionally, these practitioners share their own stories about how they got to where they are today, and offer advice based on a lifetime of experience.

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What is the Refund Policy?

  • All payments are subject to the conditions of our refund policy on the date payment is received. SSB may at any time update these Terms and Conditions, and post public posting these updated Terms and Conditions shall be immediately effective for new enrollments post this date.
  • If SSB is not able to grant program acceptance for medical, behavioral, academic, or other substantial reasons, everything but the application fee is refundable. The application fee is never refundable or transferable.

If a student cancels an application or enrollment prior to the start date of the program, the following deadlines and refund percentages apply:

    •  For in-person programs
      • Cancellation Date before March 1: 100% of tuition is refundable, except the $99 application fee
      • Between March 2 – April 1: All tuition is refundable (except deposit and application fee). Option to roll over 100% of monies paid as credit for a future year.
      • Between April 2 – May 1: 75% of tuition is refundable (except deposit and application fee). Option to roll over 100% of monies paid as credit for future year. No fee to change programs (course, location, sessions).
      • After May 1: 25% of tuition is refundable (except deposit and application fee). Option to roll over 75% of monies paid as credit for future year. $300 fee to change programs (course, location, sessions).
      • After June 1: 0% refundable and 0% transferable to a future year. $500 change fee (course, location, sessions).
    • For online programs
      • More than 60 days prior to program start: 100% refund
      • More than 30 days prior to program start: 50% refund
      • Less than 30 days prior to program start: 0% refund

After the start of a program, there will be no refund if a student leaves the program, independent of whether the student leaves due to personal reasons or a breach of the code of conduct. A student who leaves the program prior to the end date will not be permitted to re-join the program.

  • Tuition credit from previous years is not refundable. If a family cancels the program, any tuition credits from previous years will be forfeited.
  • Should SSB (rather than the student) cancel the program the following refunds will apply:
    • Cancellation due to reasons other than Force Majeure: 100% of the tuition
    • Cancellation due to Force Majeure (an uncontrollable event outside Terra’s control such as: flood, drought, earthquake or other natural disaster, epidemic or pandemic, terrorist attack, civil war, civil commotion or similar major safety concern, legal or policy actions by government or public authority that significantly impair program operations, act of God): 100% program credit in lieu of a refund.
      • Where possible, SSB will strive to, and reserves the right to make suitable adaptive changes, rather than to outright cancel a program.  Alternatively, SSB reserves the right to substitute the program with another program option of the same program theme.
      • In the case of COVID or similar events where safe program delivery is possible only with social distancing measures, SSB may need to add a ‘social distancing’ or COVID-19 testing surcharge to cover significant additional costs associated with changes to program elements such as dorming or transportation.

What is the Tuition Protection Plan?

Tuition Protection Plan

By purchasing the Plan, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

1. Plan Overview The Tuition Protection Plan allows families to cancel their enrollment in campus-based programs for any reason and receive a refund of tuition fees as specified in these Terms.

2. Eligibility

  • The Plan is only available for campus-based programs.
  • The Plan must be purchased at the time of application and no later than May 10, 2026.
  • The cost of the Plan is $699 per application.

3. Cancellation Benefits

  • Families who purchase the Plan may cancel their enrollment for any reason.
  • Cancellation requests must be submitted on or before the start date of the program to be eligible for a refund.
  • Refunds will only cover all fees paid and do not include the cost of the Plan itself ($699).

4. Exclusions The Plan is not valid for:

  • Online programs.
  • Applications submitted without the purchase of the Plan.

5. Cancellation Process To request a cancellation and refund:

  • Submit a written cancellation request to support@summerspringboard.com.
  • Include the participant’s name, program details, and reason for cancellation.
  • Refunds will be processed within 7-10 business days following verification of eligibility.

6. Non-Refundable Plan Fee The $699 fee for the Plan is non-refundable under any circumstances, including if:

  • You choose not to cancel.
  • The program proceeds as planned.

7. Program Changes If the campus-based program is canceled by us, you will be eligible for a refund of the Plan fee ($699), along with any tuition paid.

8. Transferability The Plan is non-transferable and applies only to the specific application for which it was purchased.

9. Amendments We reserve the right to amend these Terms at any time. Changes will not affect Plan purchases made before the effective date of the amendment.

For questions or assistance regarding the Tuition Protection Plan, please contact support@summerspringboard.com.

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More Frequently Asked Questions...

When are the program dates?

Updated program availability can be found here on our Program Availability Page.

Where can I access my campus-specific Enrolled Student Hub?

Your Enrolled Student Hub will be emailed to you as the summer nears, and it can also be found in the Parent Portal.

*Note – this page is actively reviewed and updated and is subject to change.