Support for Carceral System-Impacted Students
Quick overview
Who this is for: We support students who are:
- Formerly incarcerated
- On probation or parole
- Arrested or convicted but not incarcerated
- Impacted by a family member or loved one’s incarceration
What we offer: Academic advising, financial assistance, housing support, career development, mentorship, community-building, and leadership and internship opportunities.
Connect with us
Location: Bay Tree Campus Store, 2nd Floor
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Email: starrs@ucsc.edu
Phone: (831) 459-5899
Instagram: @undergroundscholarsucsc
Appointments: Schedule via Slug Success
A welcoming space for system-impacted students
If you’ve been directly or indirectly affected by the carceral system, you’re not alone—and you deserve to thrive in college. The Underground Scholars Program (USP), part of the Resilient Scholar Programs (RSP), was created by and for students like you, to build community and promote educational equity. Whether you’re navigating re-entry, supporting an incarcerated loved one, or exploring your identity as a system-impacted student, this is a place where you belong.
What does “system-impacted” mean?
System-impacted includes people who have been incarcerated, those with arrests or convictions but no incarceration, and anyone directly affected by a loved one’s incarceration—such as a parent, guardian, or close family member.
“For the longest time I defined success as not being dead and not being locked up… That shifted when I got into UCSC and connected with the Underground Scholars Program. They taught me that being successful is being in a position to do what we need to do for a better tomorrow.”
— Underground Scholars Program participant
Programs and support
Housing and basic needs support
Some system-impacted students don’t have family housing to return to during breaks, which can make transitional times especially challenging. The Underground Scholars Program offers financial support so you can stay focused on your goals without worrying about where you’ll stay.
We can help with:
- Early move-in before fall quarter
- Emergency housing during summer and winter breaks
- Other basic needs, including help with:
- Textbooks and technology
- Food access
- Health care co-pays
- Clearing enrollment holds
To request support, fill out the Resilient Scholars Basic Needs Form.
Get started: Newly admitted UCSC students from our current partner institutions will receive a priority email invitation to join STP in June.
Chancellor’s Undergraduate Internship Program (CUIP)
Earn a $4,000 or $8,000 scholarship while developing a leadership project with direct support from the Underground Scholars Program Coordinator. Includes a leadership course that fulfills your PR-S general education requirement.
Community Development Internship Program (CDIP)
Gain professional experience with local organizations, be mentored by community leaders, and earn work-study funding.
Additional resources for carceral system-impacted students
The Smith Society at UC Santa Cruz
The Smith Society supports students who have faced major life challenges such as foster care, homelessness, or being a ward of the court. Many Smith Scholars are also system-impacted. The program provides mentorship, community, and resources to help students succeed.
Santa Cruz Jail 101 Guide
Created by NAMI Santa Cruz County, this Santa Cruz Jail 101 Guide is for loved ones of those who have been incarcerated. It includes information on Santa Cruz Jail policies and procedures, important contacts, forms, and support resources.
Prospective and incoming students
If the Underground Scholars Program resonates with your experience, we’d love to connect with you. We support UCSC students who are system-impacted, as well as students from local communities and colleges who are working towards transferring to UCSC through our pre-admissions equity outreach programs.
Fill out our Resilient Scholar Programs Interest Form to get in touch with our team. We’ll follow up to answer your questions, share resources, and help you feel welcomed into our community.
Why higher education matters
Education can open doors, reduce recidivism, and create generational change. For ex-offenders, the amount of education completed is correlated with a marked decrease in recidivism:
- No high school diploma: 55% recidivism
- Vocational training: 30%
- Associate degree: 13.7%
- Bachelor’s degree: 5.6%
- Master’s degree: 0%
Only 4% of formerly incarcerated people hold a college degree—USP is here to help change that.
Connect with our team
The staff behind the Underground Scholars Program are deeply committed to supporting students impacted by the carceral system. Whether you need help navigating college, finding housing, exploring your goals, or just someone to talk to who gets where you’re coming from, we’re here for you. Our approach is student-centered, community-driven, and grounded in the belief that higher education can be transformative.
Reach out anytime—we’d love to connect.
Email: starrs@ucsc.edu
Our mission
The Underground Scholars Program builds a prison-to-school pathway through recruitment, retention, and advocacy. We challenge stigmas, cultivate community, and work to remove barriers so that formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students can thrive at UCSC and beyond.