Pomona College Academy for Youth Success (PAYS)

The flagship college preparation program, Pomona College Academy for Youth Success, celebrated its 20th anniversary this year.

Entire PAYS Community during PAYS Summer 2023, including Students, Staff, and Professors.

Current PAYS Scholar Abby Tran '25 learning how to stitch from PAYS Alumna Sarabjit Dhillon '22 in her elective class.

Current PAYS Scholar, Abby '25, learning how to stitch from PAYS Alumna, Sarabjit '22, in her elective course.

Photo of PAYS Scholar during Summer 2023 performing their Community Theatre skit during Closing Ceremony.

PAYS Community Theatre performing at our 2023 PAYS Closing Ceremony.

PAYS Scholars having conversations during lunch at Frary Dining Hall.

PAYS Sophomores, Dylan '26, Peyton '26, Ashley '26, Cole '26 and Carlos '26 engaging in a conversation during lunch at Frary Dining Hall.

PAYS Community Advisors engaging the entire PAYS community in morning ice breakers!

PAYS Summer 2023 Community Advisors, Erubey and Alayna, engaging the entire PAYS community in morning ice breakers!

The Pomona College Academy for Youth Success (PAYS) enrolls over 90 local high school students and seeks to support them in preparing for admission to selective and highly selective colleges and universities. PAYS scholars engage in a thought-provoking combination of college-level courses, cultural events, workshops, projects and field trips during the intensive 4-week, residential program as well as throughout the academic year, for 3 consecutive years upon acceptance into our program. PAYS serves rising sophomores through rising seniors from groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education—students who are first in their family to attend college and/or  from low income families.