The Guardian Scholars Program and the NextUp Program provides services to current or former foster youth (FFY) attending Sierra College. Our goal is to equip and empower our students to not just do well academically, but also navigate the many life and financial challenges that are barriers to their success.
Must provide court dependency letter with at least one day of foster care experience from 0-18 years old (e.g. foster home, group home, or placed with a relative by the court) to GSP office
Complete FAFSA/DREAM application
Complete Program Application
Complete an intake appointment with Guardian Scholar’s Counselor
Continuing Students Eligibility Requirements
Maintain continuous enrollment at Sierra College
Meet with a GSP Counselor three times per semester
Maintain a 2.0 GPA or above
Be enrolled in at least 6 units
Participate in at least one program activity or workshop provided by the Guardian Scholars Program
Agree to staff monitoring of academic performance and progress
Attend academic intervention services as recommended by the GSP counselor
Abide by all college standards for appropriate conduct and community behavior
Meet with mentor once a month (for freshmen students; optional for second year students)
Services
Professional staff and peer advisors, in partnership with a variety of on-campus departments and external agencies, work to best meet you academic and personal needs. We offer:
Counseling Services (Academic, Personal, and Career counseling)
Financial Aid Priority Processing (FAFSA application assistance, grants and scholarships)
On-campus housing (ten dorm beds each semester for qualified FFY students)
Room bedding and furnishings for students who are selected to live in the dorm/residence hall
Care-Packs filled with basic hygiene and school supplies
College Transfer Assistance (transfer counseling services, college tours, referral to University reps)
Graduation Cap and Gown and GSP Stole
Each Semester recognition ceremony for academic success (for students above 2.0 GPA)
Referrals to campus and community resources
Access to Campus Food closet/CalFresh
Access to Scholarships
Access to Emergency Fund (based on available funds)
NEXTUP also known as CAFYES (Cooperating Agencies Foster Youth Educational Support)
NextUp provides enhanced support services to eligible current or former foster youth whose court dependency status was established or continued on or after his/her 16th birthday and no older than 25 years of age at the beginning of the academic year.
Sierra College is among 1 of 45 Community Colleges in California that was awarded funding by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to provide additional/enhanced support services for foster youth attending postsecondary education. The purpose of the NextUp Program is to strengthen the capacity of community college districts to support the higher education success, health and well-being of some of the nearly 13,000 current and former foster youth who are enrolled in California's community colleges.
NextUp Initial Program Eligibility:
Be enrolled in EOPS; and
Be enrolled in at least 9 units (or approved for less by DSPS); and
Have court dependency status that was established or continued on or after your 16th birthday; and
No older than 25 years of age at the beginning of the academic year.
In addition to receiving EOPS services, NextUp students at Sierra College will receive the following enhanced services:
Emergency housing assistance
Monthly NextUp grant
Additional funds to buy required textbooks
Additional funds to buy required school supplies
Monthly vendor cards for transportation and food
Enhanced one-on-one support from Counselor, Counseling Assistant and Financial Aid Technician