HELPFUL RESOURCES

STEP 1

CONNECT WITH A DEDICATED
EOPS OR NEXTUP COUNSELOR

You don’t have to walk the path of higher education alone. Along the way, a dedicated counselor is available to answer any questions you may have, or provide you with more information regarding a specific campus and the resources available to current or former foster youth there. Click here to find the staff person closest to you, ready to help.

To find more information about what’s available only to current and former foster youth, browse these links.

• California College Pathways Helping foster youth across the state achieve their higher education goals and move onto fulfilling careers
• Foster Youth Help/Extended Foster Care (Calif. Dept. of Social Services) Resources to help foster youth and information on remaining in foster care . unil age 21
• Foster Youth Success Initiative College Liaisons Contacts at every California community college to connect foster youth with helpful college services

STEP 2

ENROLL AS A STUDENT AT A
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

NextUp offers access to services and resources that support foster youth while attending a California community college. There are 115 community colleges in California. Chances are, there’s one near you. While not every campus has a NextUp program, they all offer Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS). These links can provide access to more information about the community colleges closest to you, and how to enroll as a student.

• California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office With 2.1 million students attending 115 colleges, our mission is to provide students with the knowledge and background necessary to compete in today’s economy.
• CaliforniaColleges.edu California’s college and career planning website for its public and private colleges and universities
  
• California Community Colleges Baccalaureate Degree Program Learn more about the 15 community colleges offering bachelor’s degrees in career education fields
  
• California Virtual Campus Providing complete, timely and accurate information about online courses and programs in California higher education
• CCCApply Visit this site to complete the enrollment application for any California community college
  

STEP 3

FIND FINANCIAL AID
AND HOUSING RESOURCES

From tuition and books to living expenses and school supplies, the cost of college can be intimidating. That’s where NextUp comes in. You or a foster youth you know may qualify for a variety of financial aid options while attending a California community college. Check out the links below to learn more about what’s available to a California community college student who is a current or former foster youth.

• I Can Afford College Information on financial aid that can help you pay for fees, books, supplies and sometimes even help with the rent
• CalWORKs Assisting welfare recipient students and those in transition off of welfare to achieve long-term self-sufficiency through coordinated student
• CalFresh CalFresh is a California financial aid program that helps students buy food. Students enrolled half-time or more might be eligible for a free debit card for monthly groceries
• Dormitories California community colleges offering student dormitories
• Transitional Housing Placement Program and THP-PLUS Information on housing options for current and former foster youth

OTHER HELPFUL LINKS

• A Degree with a Guarantee Making it easy to transfer from a California community college to your guaranteed, saved spot at a CSU
• Disabled Students Programs and Services Support services, specialized instruction, and educational accommodations for students with disabilities
• Career Education Choose from more than 200 different career programs to get the hands-on training and skills you need to get started on your path to a rewarding, good-paying career