Guardian Scholars: Former Foster Youth

Students at Former Foster Youth Luncheon

Providing Support for Former Foster Youth 

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 them to not just do well academically, but also navigate the many life and financial challenges that are barriers to their success.

Flo Charlie and Britney Slates are happy to answer any questions. Just email guardianscholars@sierracollege.edu 

Apply Today

Qualifications

Guardian Scholars Program Eligibility

  • Complete the Common Application for EOPS, GSP, NextUp and TRiO Services
  • 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 their academic and personal needs. Collaboratively, our goal is that these Former Foster youth realize that college is an option, and turn their dreams into reality by offering:

  • Counseling Services (Academic, Personal, and Career counseling)
  • Financial Aid Priority Processing (FAFSA application assistance, grants and scholarships)
  • Funds to buy required textbooks
  • Semester meal card/grocery card
  • Transportation assistance (parking permit/bus passes/Gas Card)
  • 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
  • and much more

How to Apply:

Complete Application

If you need help, contact Guardian Scholars.

Anyone can get involved

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Mentoring
  • Job placement and internships
  • Housing placement
  • Professional services
  • Workshops and training

Make a Gift to Guardian Scholars Program

Learn how to support the Guardian Scholars Program through Sierra College Foundation.

Resources

On Campus Resources

Off Campus Resources and Partners

Contact Guardian Scholars

Rocklin Campus L 144

  • Fall and Spring Hours
    M-Th: 8:00am - 5:30pm
    F: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Contact Staff
Quick Links
Values
Contact Us

Sierra College
5100 Sierra College Blvd.
Rocklin, CA 95677
Phone: (916) 624-3333

Sierra College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. About Sierra College's Accreditation and SLOs.