"Beginnings" by American Sculptor Aris Demetrios is a prominent feature at the University of California, Mercedc campus. Photo by Veronica Ardrover/news.ucmerced.edu

Fresno Unified School District and UC Merced have launched a new partnership guaranteeing admission to the university to qualified high school juniors, as well as a scholarship opportunity worth up to $12,000.

The Merced Automatic Admission Program (MAAP) was made official on Friday during a signing ceremony at McLane High School. UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz and Fresno Unified Superintendent Misty Her signed the agreement.

“We are deeply committed to our Valley neighbors, to their families and their success, and we know that the best path to social mobility is through higher education,” Muñoz said. “We want local students to join our community. We want to show them the universe.”

Her, who leads California’s third-largest district with around 71,000 students, said the MAAP will help open doors for students.

“This new guaranteed admissions partnership will pave the way for more of our students to pursue their education at UC Merced, enhancing opportunities for a rich college experience,” Her said.

Students who meet the requirements will be eligible to receive a $3,000 per-year scholarship, which will be renewable for up to four years. Eligibility includes completing 15 college prep courses with a 3.0 weighted GPA, filing a Guarantee Admissions Application in junior year and submitting a UC application during the Oct. 1–Nov. 30 priority window.