Foster Youth Support Programs
San Jose City College is dedicated to serving current and former foster youth throughout their academic endeavors. Our two foster youth student success programs NextUp and Guardian Scholars provide support services to encourage the enrollment, retention, and transfer of current and former foster youth at SJCC.
NextUP
The NextUp Program offers support and resources to current and former foster youth attending San José City College (SJCC). It is a supplemental program housed within the Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOP&S) department.
Eligibility:
- Current or former foster care involved student whose dependency or wardship was established or continued by the court on, or after the 13th birthday
- Be no older than 26 at the start of any academic year in which you first enroll in the program or previously certified NextUp
- Provide proof of dependency, The Foster Care Ombudsman’s Office at (877) 846-1602 provides former foster youth in California with Dependency Letters (also called Verification Letters or Ward of the Court Letters). Verification Request Form | FYH
- Are enrolled in 9 units exempt with SAS
- Priority Registration
- Counseling (academic, career, & personal)
- Laptops and school supplies
- Book vouchers
- Lending library (textbooks & calculators)
- Free printing
- Potential educational grants
- Community building opportunities
- Personal and life skills training and support
- Referral network for campus and off-campus services
- University and cultural field trips
- Cap and gown
- Meet with an EOPS counselor 3x each semester (Fall & Spring). Each appointment must be 4-5 weeks apart.
- Enrolled in at least 9 units
- Exempt with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) referral
- Update financial aid every year to potentially qualify for financial aid and possible funds
Guardian Scholars
The Guardian Scholars Program (GSP) provides support to former foster youth attending San Jose City College (SJCC) who are not NextUp eligible. Guardian Scholars is an independent program housed within the Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOP&S) department.
Eligibility:
- Former foster youth: Someone who has been in foster care, no matter the length of time
- Dependent or ward of the court: Someone who has received protection from the court and may have had a legal guardian appointed either by the court or by parental consent
- Emancipated minor: Someone who is a minor (under age 18 in CA) and is no longer under parental control.
- Orphaned: Someone whose parents or legal guardians are deceased
- Living with kin (arranged formally or informally): someone whose care is provided by relatives or extended family member(s) due to any number of reasons.
- Priority Registration
- Counseling (academic, career, & personal)
- Lending library (textbooks & calculators)
- Free printing
- Community building opportunities
- Personal and life skills training and support
- Referral network for campus and off-campus services
- University and cultural field trips
- Cap & gown
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Attend Guardian Scholars orientation
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Complete a comprehensive educational plan with counselor
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Be enrolled in at least 3 units in current semester
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Meet with Guardian Scholars Counselor (3 times per semester)
Steps to get started (Please contact our office if you would like assistance with the application process.)
- Apply to SJCC
- Complete the SJCC orientation
- Complete financial aid application: FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid / CA Dream Act Application
- Apply to EOPS/NextUp/GSP
- Contact our progam specialist to set an appointment to meet with a counselor
- Complete program orientation and mutual responsibility contract (MRC)
Contact Us
- EOP&S NextUp/Guardian Scholars Program Counselor/Coordinator
- Julio Flores
- julio.flores@sjcc.edu
- EOP&S NextUp/Guardian Scholars Program Specialist/FYSI
- Laura Zepeda
- (408) 298-2181 ext. 3203
- laura.zepeda@sjcc.edu
- Robert N. Chang Student Center, SC-201, Second Floor
- Monday-Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm