Cabrillo College

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

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Staff
Guardian Scholars Program Coordinator
Program Specialist, Guardian Scholars
Request Foster Youth Verification Letter
Prospective Guardian Scholars
Learn More ▼

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.

Location

We are located below the Library in room 1006

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Address:
Room 1006 6500 Soquel Ave Aptos, CA 95003
Find out more about Guardian Scholars

watch the video below

Guardian Scholars
Meet the Guardian Scholars Support Staff
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Guardian Scholars Program Coordinator
Send a Message
Program Specialist, Guardian Scholars
Send a Message
Financial Aid Advisor
(831) 479-6557
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