| Application deadline | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Cost | $5,793 (2027 cycle) | Last year's cycle (2026): $3,900; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): $2,400–$5,200; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Financial aid | Need-based financial assistance for application and program costs: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Based on family income, family size and available COSMOS resources. (2027 cycle) | Last year's cycle (2026): Need-based scholarships for online and commuter students: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Need-based financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Expenses and aid conditions | Application fee: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Non-refundable; fee waivers can be requested.; Need-based financial assistance for application and program costs: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Based on family income, family size and available COSMOS resources. (2027 cycle) | Last year's cycle (2026): Non-refundable application fee: $60. A fee waiver can be requested.; Lab kit fee (estimated, plus taxes and shipping): $265. International students may incur customs fees.; Need-based scholarships for online and commuter students: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Deposit to secure a spot after acceptance: $1,000. Waived or adjusted when alternative arrangements or financial aid are awarded.; Need-based financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Stipend or pay | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Eligibility | Grades 9–12 (provider uses rising grades) | Grades 9–12 when applying; check the provider's rules for graduating seniors | Grades 9–12 (provider uses rising grades) |
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| Additional eligibility | Residency: California high school students only; Requirement: Open to rising grades 9–12; Requirement: Demonstrated academic excellence (a typical COSMOS student has a GPA of 3.5 or above) | Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 9–12 when applying; Requirement: As and Bs in high school math and science classes; Requirement: Completed Algebra II; Requirement: Completed a course covering trigonometric functions; Requirement: Completed a full year of high school chemistry and/or physics with a lab (or a 4 or 5 on AP Chemistry or AP Physics 1); Requirement: Recent high school graduates may attend the summer before college | Requirement: Open to rising grades 9–12; Requirement: No prior engineering experience or STEM classes required |
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| Session dates or duration | Catalog terms: 4 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Catalog terms: 5–6 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 8, 2026; Ends August 7, 2026; 3–6 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Format | In person | Online | In person / Online |
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| Housing and supervision | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Location | Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, San Diego, Santa Cruz, CA | Worldwide synchronous participation, subject to Eastern Time attendance and lab-kit shipping/customs feasibility | San Jose, CA |
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| Selection and application | Selection: Each of six campuses accommodates roughly 160-200 students, and clusters typically enroll 20-25 with a commonly reported 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Admissions are competitive and based on academic merit relative to the selected topic, but applicant count and statewide acceptance rate were not published. Application materials: Online application with one personal statement; One teacher recommendation (two recommended) | Selection: Completed applications are academically reviewed. Rising juniors and seniors are typical, talented rising sophomores may be considered, and older students receive priority when space is limited. Programs can fill before final deadlines; no acceptance rate is published. Application materials: One brief required essay and one brief optional essay; Teacher recommendation | Selection: Application and interview review occur in receipt order while seats remain. BlueStamp does not publish applicant counts, acceptance rates, aid rates, cohort size for the next cycle, or a guaranteed decision. Application materials: Student interview with a parent or guardian present |
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| Official sources | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-08-22Source 5 · checked 2026-08-22Source 6 · checked 2026-08-22Source 7 · checked 2026-08-20 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-10-24Source 5 · checked 2026-08-21Source 6 · checked 2026-08-21Source 7 · checked 2026-08-21Source 8 · checked 2026-08-21 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-08-20 |
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