Education Resources
College Preparatory Help
California
College Pathways Foster Youth Educational Planning Guide Important
Tips for Applying to a California State University: If
you are applying to a CSU school, then please read this document
first! It contains important information any foster youth or
former foster youth should know about filling out the CSU Mentor
application. This planning guide contains checklists, tips and
information to support foster youth from 7th grade through 12th
grade who dream of a college education. If you would like more
information, please contact Jenny Vinopal at jvinopal@calstate.edu or (562) 951-4734.
Download
the CCP Guide in PDF format here: 
CaliforniaColleges.edu
CaliforniaColleges.edu is an excellent source for anyone wanting to apply to college. It offers help planning out your class schedule (starting when you're in the 8th grade) so you make sure you're meeting all of the state requirements for applying 4-year universities, helps you find programs that are right for you, offers a financial aid search for scholarships and even helps you fill out the FAFSA (the long application everyone needs to fill out in order to be eligible for financial aid), and provides you with free career assessments to help you figure out which career is best for you.
California
College Pathways Project
The goal of the California College Pathways Project is to increase the number
of foster youth in California who enter higher education and achieve an academic
outcome by expanding access to campus support programs, such as the Guardian
Scholars Program, the Renaissance Scholars Program and other successful approaches
to supporting former foster youth on campus.
College Board
Information on preparing and registering for the SATs, determining the right college for you or a youth in your care, applying to college, and paying for college. Information provided to both youth and their caregivers.
El
Camino College
El
Camino College offers quality educational programs and services will
help you get where you want to go. Whether you plan to transfer to
a university, or obtain important career skills, Compton Center has
a program designed to guide you on your path to success.
Steps
to register: is an easy guide to get you through the
registration process.
Fulfillment Fund
Information on their college counseling program, starting with 10th-graders, that helps prepare students for applying to and paying for college.
Guardian
Scholars
Information on a support program for foster
youth planning on attending Cal State Fullerton University. If accepted,
scholarships are provided. Application details available.
Important
Tips
Important tips for any student thinking about
attending or ready to apply for College. Contains information on
College Requirements, Financial Aid Deadlines, tips for getting more
financial aid, and other relevant facts.
Los
Angeles City College Guardian Scholars Program
If you’re a current or former foster youth, between the ages of 16 – 24,
and looking to attend LACC, then contact this program! They will help you with
academic advisement, financial aid, housing, employment services, mentoring,
tutoring, personal guidance and counseling, or any other type of support you
might need. Call (323) 953-4011.
Download
further information in pdf format here: 
Los
Angeles Southwest College
LASC
provides an environment for quality
learning by offering career and technical education in 47 areas
that provides a bridge to higher education.
Apply
for admission
Upward
Bound Program: If you are in high school and aspire
to go into college, the
Upward Bound Program may be for you. This
is a pre-college program that gives
instruction in core curricular
areas, cultural field trips, tutoring, and mentoring.
Middle
College High School: Housed on the LASC campus, Middle College
High School
is an educational
collaboration which enables students to begin taking college courses
in ninth grade, thereby making it possible to graduate from high
school at college
sophomore or junior status.
Renaissance
Scholars
Information on a support program for foster
youth planning on attending Cal Poly Pomona University. Application
details available.
Teen Web/My Life College Info
Want information on colleges? Investigate what kind of college you want to go to, or how much money it might cost.
Teen Web/Events College Student Smart Programs
Want help to study for the SATs or ACT? Find free information and practice test sessions here.
UFC's
College Sponsorship Program
Information on a program that offers scholarships
and support to foster and probation youth attending four-year colleges/universities
throughout the country (the application process is usually between
October and January of each year, for graduating high school seniors
or community college transfer students only).
UFC’s College Within Reach
Information on a college readiness program that prepares foster youth in grades 7 through 12 to become competitive applicants to four-year colleges/universities. Applicants must be in the 6th grade when applying. Applications are usually accepted between January and March of each year.
UFC’s Destination: College
Information on an annual conference for foster and probation youth, their caregivers, and caseworkers on how to prepare, apply, and pay for college, plus attend a college fair with over 80 colleges/universities from across the country. Tailored for grades 8 through 12, and those attending community colleges, so that students can participate year after year and receive new information each time. Applications are typically accepted from August through October (click on Educational Events).
Young
Black Scholars
The mission
of the Young
Black Scholars
(YBS) program is to enhance the academic performance of African
American high school youth through enrichment workshops and
programs which support and prepare scholars to be competitively
eligible for University admissions and success.
Young Black Scholars is
a serious program dedicated to ensuring college preparation;
leadership development, community responsibility and successful
life planning. YBS conducts more than 40 workshops, programs,
seminars and conferences throughout the academic year, to assist
scholars and parents in preparation for college admissions, selection
and success. In an effort to expose students to the college environment,
YBS activities are hosted on the campuses of colleges and universities.
Young
Black Scholars also
provides on-going mentoring of scholars' academic achievement, academic
learning support services such as college application assistance,
campus tours, SAT & ACT prep,
math & science workshops, etc., enrichment learning experiences,
reward for academic achievement and of course academic advising!
Download
an informational poster in pdf format: 
Download
an application in pdf format:
Youth
Empowerment Strategies for Success — Independent Living
Program (YESS-ILP)
Youth Empowerment Strategies for
Success (YESS) is a comprehensive and integrated program
that unites community partners and academic leaders to empower
foster youth to successfully transition into independent living.
The YESS program provides services that focus on life
skills training and academic performance with the objective
of achieving self-sufficiency.
The YESS-ILP Program offers a series of workshops/resources for foster students
ages 16-21 to develop life skills and learn about our academic/vocational programs.
YESS-ILP participants:
• Learn
how to navigate the opportunities at the Compton Center
• Earn
college units
• Make-up
high school credits
• Learn
about the financial aid process focusing on foster youth
• Receive
information on student services like EOP&S, Transfer Center, and Cal Works
• Receive
assistance with earning a high school diploma
• Earn
job skills and job training
• Receive
employment counseling and exploration
• Learn
how to transition into independent living
• Enjoy
a host field trips, guest speakers and prizes
Participants will get refreshments, a t-shirt, book bag, and school supplies.
If a student completes the YESS-ILP program and registers as a full-time Compton
Center student (12 units or more) the student will be eligible for a Student
Ambassador Job.
For further information, contact: Johnny J. Conley, M.Ed.,
Outreach Specialist, Outreach & Relations with Schools • Telephone:
(310) 900·1600 Ext 2767 Email: jconley@elcamino.edu
Return to Top of Page
