About the Program
Bright Spark Scholars is a tutoring program that helps elementary students succeed in literacy and mathematics. This two-semester program is a partnership between UC Merced’s Community Engagement Center and elementary schools within the City of Merced. Tutors receive curriculum training, transportation to the schools, and support to mentor their tutees in the important skills of literacy and numeracy – skills that help set them up for success later on in their academic, social, and economic lives. Each tutor who completes 60 service hours during the semester will receive a $1000 stipend (up to $2000 per academic year).
During the pilot year (2024–2025), 13 Bright Spark Scholars Tutors worked with K–3 students at Farmdale Elementary School, providing literacy instruction. Each tutor received transportation to the school for their sessions and averaged 6–8 hours per week on tutoring, lesson preparation, and training. Thanks to their dedication and hard work, the average reading level of the students they tutored increased by 1.2 grade levels!
As we’re moving on to our 2nd year, we’ve added mathematics as a subject matter and are doubling the number of tutors and sites we’ll be working with.
For Fall 2025 - Spring 2026, we have a cohort of 30 tutors who will be working with K-5 students at two schools within the Merced City School District.
Become a UCM Bright Spark Scholars Tutor
Applications for Fall 2025-Spring 2026 have closed. However, if you are interested in tutoring during the 2026-2027 school year, you can fill out the interest form below.
All UCM students are welcome to apply to be a part of this program – including AB 540 eligible students! Prospective tutors are required to attend an info session, submit an application (only students who attend an info session will receive access to the application), and receive training.
By participating in the Bright Spark Scholars program, you will be eligible for our Community Service Graduation Pin! Full participation is required for the Community Service Graduation Pin eligibility, which is a semester-long commitment.
Our initial info session period has closed, and we're starting processing applications. If you would like to express interest in the program, and would like to be considered for an ongoing wave of recruitment, should the program need it, please fill out the interest form below:
Click HERE to register if the form above is not working.
