Forbes Under 30 Mentorship Circles
🍎 Get mentored by a Forbes 30 Under 30
🌱 Grow together with cohort-based learning
🏆 Gain a network of mentors and peers
“This partnership between the Under 30 community and Close the Gap Foundation will unlock the full potential of many underserved students.”
Under 30 Editor, Forbes
About the program
Close the Gap Foundation is partnering with Forbes to launch a first-of-its-kind mentorship program that pairs first-gen, low-income (FGLI) and BIPOC students with Forbes 30 Under 30 listmakers to bridge the network gap.
Current 11th-12th graders with free/reduced school lunch
Current college students with federal pell grant
Motivated to learn and grow together (no minimum GPA!)
Available over Zoom from June-September 2021
Learn about program specifics here
Important Dates
June 30 - First Circle
July 28 - Second Circle
August 25 - Third Circle
How it works
Grow together as a cohort
Every “Circle” of roughly two to five students is paired with a Forbes 30 Under 30 mentor and meets together monthly.
Grow confidence with a role model
Students will also meet one-on-one with their circle leader throughout the summer for personal advice.
Grow and expand your network
As students embark on their journey with their cohort and mentor, they will grow their network and relationships.
Why we are partnering with Forbes
The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionally impacted many underrepresented communities, including first-gen, LGTBQIA+, BIPOC, and low-income students.
Through this partnership with Forbes Under 30 community, we are able to connect our community of underserved students with incredible leaders and founders. Together, we can bridge the widening mentorship and network gap.
Hear from our students
“Close the Gap didn’t just provide me with people who care about me, they truly opened my eyes to the potential that I have.”
Brandon MoralesHigh School Senior
“I've been able to challenge and better myself thanks to Close the Gap. Especially, helping me figure out what I want to do in college.”
Madison JeffersonHigh School Junior
Waitlist
Acceptance to our program is based on attitude over aptitude. For this reason, we do not ask for your GPA or test scores. Program acceptance will be needs-based.
Use the open-response portion of the application as an opportunity to share your story, including all the triumphs and setbacks.
To apply, you must meet all the qualifications below:
Current 11th or 12th grader with free/reduced school lunch (refer to NSLA, 42 U.S.C.1761(b)(3))
Current college students with federal pell grant (refer to Federal Pell Grant)
You are attending a school in the United States
You will be able to attend and participate in all the program’s events
You will complete the app and supplemental by May 16th at 11:59 p.m. PT (Due to COVID-19, we’ve extended the deadline to June 2nd)
The deadline to apply for Under 30 Circles - Summer session has passed. Please leave your email below to get on the waitlist for future sessions:
100% All Virtual
Close the Gap Foundation is an experienced leader in virtual and cohort-based learning. The Forbes Under 30 Mentorship Circle program is run entirely virtual.
This means you do not have to choose between staying safe during shelter-in-place and participating in a summer program. Check out our past virtual events:
Partner with us
Where can I get information about sponsoring the Close the Gap Foundation x Forbes Under 30 Mentorship Circles program? Please submit all sponsorship and partnership inquires below. For general inquiries, contact us here.