Guardian Scholars Program
About Guardian Scholars
The Cabrillo College Guardian Scholars Program is a support program for highly motivated students who want to earn a degree, certificate, or prepare to transfer and are currently or have been in foster care at any point in their life. We are here to help students achieve their educational goals and connect them with resources. NextUp expands support services to students who have been in the foster care system. Foster youth are eligible for Guardian Scholars and NextUp. Foster care dependency must be verified.
Guardian Scholars eligibility:
Enrolled in 6+ units
Foster care dependency verification
NextUp eligibility:
Current or former foster youth, who was in care on or after their 13th birthday
Be under the age of 26 at the commencement of the academic year in which the student first enrolls in the program
California resident or AB540 eligible
Enrolled in at least 9 units OR enrolled in fewer than 9 units but with an educational plan designed to move students toward subsequent enrollment in at least 9 units
Services we offer:
Communal center/lounge
Case management
Book and supply voucher
Snacks
Computer lab
Free Printing
Academic counseling
Connections to other campus services and programs
Connections to community resources
Scholarships
Steps to join the program
To be part of the Guardian Scholars Program you must be enrolled in 6 or more units for Fall or Spring.
Documentation records are maintained at the county you were in foster care. You can call that county's office of child welfare department.
If you were in Foster Care in California you can contact The Ombudsman's Office : Call: 877-846-1602 E-mail: fosteryouthhelp@dss.ca.gov California Ombudsperson for Foster Care . This has been the fastest way students have gotten their documentation.
Please plan ahead as it can sometimes take several weeks for processing your request. If you need assistance, our office can guide you to the starting contact. If you have it you can email it to Carrie Shevchenko cashevch@cabrillo.edu
If you've completed the above steps you're ready to schedule your orientation with Carrie. Please note you will need WiFi/data access and it works best on a computer. Schedule by emailing Carrie directly cashevch@cabrillo.edu
During orientation students will complete the application, sign a student agreement, learn about program resources, and what is required to remain in the program.
We are located below the Library in room 1006
watch the video below
Meet the Guardian Scholars Support Staff
