BYU Halts Beloved 'SOAR' College Prep Program

Federal policy changes force end to decades-old multicultural summer camp

Mar. 31, 2026 at 8:54pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph in warm, muted tones depicting a group of diverse high school students gathered together, their faces obscured but their body language suggesting a sense of community and academic focus.The SOAR program's elimination leaves many students of color searching for a path to higher education at BYU.Provo Today

BYU has announced the end of its 'SOAR' (Summer of Academic Refinement) program, a beloved multicultural college prep initiative that has helped thousands of first-generation, low-income students of color navigate the path to higher education. Alumni are speaking out against the decision, citing the program's vital role in making BYU accessible to underrepresented students.

Why it matters

The SOAR program provided a crucial bridge for many students of color who did not initially see themselves attending BYU. Its elimination due to federal policy changes around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts raises concerns about BYU's commitment to supporting underrepresented students and maintaining an inclusive campus community.

The details

The SOAR program, which ran for decades, offered workshops, mentorship, and a vibrant community to help high school students, particularly those who were first-generation and from low-income backgrounds, prepare for the college application process and transition to university life. Many alumni credit SOAR with making BYU a viable option that they otherwise would not have considered. However, the university has now halted the program due to changes in federal policy, leaving students and advocates scrambling to find a way to preserve its mission.

  • SOAR typically took place between students' junior and senior years of high school.
  • The program has been canceled for 2026, with alumni noting it may already be 'dead in the water' given the late timing of the announcement.

The players

Amanda Quintana

A SOAR alum who said the program helped her and many others navigate the college application process and see themselves attending BYU, a university they did not initially consider.

James Senior

A BYU alum who has seen the impact of SOAR on several family members, including his own daughters, and is now advocating against the program's elimination.

BYU

The university that created and has now canceled the SOAR program, citing a need to 'explore ways to support college preparedness that also reflect the school's unique spiritual and educational mission.'

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What they’re saying

“A lot of us were first-generation students trying to navigate the college application process, and didn't know how to do that.”

— Amanda Quintana, SOAR Alum

“BYU wasn't really a school that we saw ourselves attending, until we went to SOAR and met the people that we did.”

— Amanda Quintana, SOAR Alum

“It's already the end of March, and for 2026 - it might already be dead in the water.”

— James Senior, BYU Alum

What’s next

Alumni and advocates plan to continue their efforts to save the SOAR program, including gathering at the Wilkinson Student Center, though the university has already shut down one such demonstration.

The takeaway

The elimination of BYU's SOAR program, which provided vital support for first-generation and underrepresented students, raises concerns about the university's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The loss of this longstanding initiative could make it more difficult for students from diverse backgrounds to access the opportunities that BYU offers.