Welcome to EOPS, CARE & NextUP

To be eligible for EOPS, you must meet the following criteria:

1. Be a California resident (AB 540 students are eligible to apply)
2. Register as a full-time student (12 or more units) or meet exeption waiver criteria to register in less units.
3. Qualify to receive a California College Promise Grant (formerly known as the BOG [Board of Governors] Fee Waiver)
4. Have completed less than 105 degree applicable units (excluding ESL and remedial coursework) Applicants who have received a bachelors degree and higher are not eligible for EOPS.
5. Meet educationally disadvantaged criteria — Read below.

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Educationally Disadvantaged Critieria

As of October 24, 1987, Title V regulations state that in order for a student to be eligible to receive EOPS (Extended Opportunity Program and Services), she/he must be educationally disadvantaged as determined by the EOPS director or the designee (Article 2, section 56220).

In making that determination for the student, the EOPS director or designee shall consider one or more of the following factors:

• The student did not qualify for enrollment into the minimum level English or mathematics course that is
•  applicable to the associate degree.
• The student did not graduate from high school or did not obtain a G.E.D.
• The student graduated from high school with a grade point average below 2.50 on a 4.00 scale.
• The student was previously enrolled in high school or college remedial education.
• Other factors as determined by the EOPS Director or Designee

All new students entering the EOPS program will be asked to sign and agree to the  Mutual Responsibilities Contract. To remain in good standing with EOPS, you will be required to follow the agreement.  Before applying for EOPS, please read the MRC agreement.

1. Apply for admission to Foothill College
2. Apply for Financial Aid
   • All EOPS students must be eligible for the California College Promise Grant (formerly known as the BOG [Board of Governors] Fee Waiver).
   • Apply by completing and submitting a California College Promise Grant application or the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the CA DREAM Application.
   • For additional information regarding the California College Promise Grant, FAFSA or the CA DREAM Application, contact the Financial Aid Office.
3. Order and submit academic transcripts — If you've attended a previous college, order and send previous college transcripts to Foothill College Admissions and Records office, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills CA 94022
4. Apply for EOPS programs — If you have any questions, please send us an email at fheops@fhda.edu.
5. Meet with an EOPS counselor — All EOPS applicants must meet with an EOPS Counselor to create an comprehensive Educational Plan.
6. Enroll full time — New EOPS participants are required to enroll full-time (12 units). Exceptions made for students with disabilities (You must be registered with the DRC program program). Other exceptions are made at the descretion of the EOPS program director.

Our Foothill EOPS/CARE staff act as liaisons with the State Department of Social Services, CalWORKs, and other community agencies to make your educational experience a positive one.

You are eligible for CARE support if you:

• Are the single head of your household.
• Are a TANF recipient.
• Meet EOPS eligibility criteria.

It is our commitment to extend support services to CARE students to help them achieve their educational goals at Foothill College. The concept of "over & above" in assisting CARE students is embraced and exercised among our dedicated staff.

Take this quick assessment to help you self-identify your eligibility for the CARE program.

Are you a single parent?
Yes___ No___

Are you currently receiving TANF?
Yes___ No___

Do you have at least one child under the age of 14 years old?
Yes___ No___

If you answered yes to all three, see if you meet all elibility criteria below. 

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To be eligible for CARE, you must meet all of the following requirements. NOTE: Verification is required.

• You are pursuing an educational, vocational, or 
  job-training program at Foothill College that will lead 
  to a completion certificate, associate degree, or 
  university-transfer objective
• You are a participant in the Foothill EOPS Program
• You receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 
  (TANF) benefits and cash aid
• You are a single head of household as determined by the 
  California Department of Social Services 
• You are a single parent and are at least age 18  
• You have at least one dependent child under the age of 14 

To receive CARE services, you will first apply for EOPS as noted above under Steps to Apply for EOPS.

• You are admitted through the EOPS program
• Your foster youth dependency was established or continued by the court on or after your 13th birthday.
• You are under the age of 26 at the start of the academic year (July 1).
• Your are enrolled in nine units, less if under the guidance of an EOPS/NextUp counselor and with the approval of the program director.

• Textbooks and school supplies.
• Food and transportation assistance.
• Direct financial grants (Fall, Winter, Spring).
• Emergency grants.
• Personal need and supplies that support college attendance
• Housing referrals.
• Community services & resource assistance.

Additional services and support may become available as we continue to survey the needs of program participants.

• NextUP - is dedicated to supporting students who are current or former foster youth with navigating college and achieving their educational dreams. NextUp also offers a completion Grant of up to $6000 a year
• Chafee Grant - awards up to $5,000 a year to eligible current or former foster youth
• Financial Aid - Foothill College Financial aid Dept. can help you with FASFA, CADA nd any other resources for money that is given or paid to help pay for your college education or vocational training. 
• FASFA 
• CADAA

• Pivotal - non-profit organization that provides coaching, scholarships, and job & internship opportunities to youth in the Silicon Valley who are or were in foster care 
• JBAY - a social services organization focused on improving the quality of life for youth in California who have been in foster care or homeless 

• Foothill College’s Owls Nest (Foothill College's Food Pantry) - provides groceries to eligible students, grocery gift cards, and assists students with accessing resources for food and housing
• Second Harvest of Silicon Valley - provides nutritious food to community members in need  

• CalFresh - California's food stamps (SNAP) program 

• Foothill College’s Owls Nest - assists students with accessing resources for food and housing 

• Bill Wilson Center - offers programs that provide services including housing, counseling, and foster youth support 

• First Place for Youth - a non-profit organization with programs and services that assist foster youth with their transition to becoming self-sufficient adults  

• LifeMoves - a non-profit dedicated to helping individuals and families return to stable housing and self-sufficiency 

• Foothill College Mental Health & Wellness Center - provides mental health and wellness services to Foothill College students, including 8 free counseling sessions per academic year  

• Foothill College Student Health Services - provides general medical services, as described in the Health Service website, on and off campus 

• VTA ASFC SmartPass Program - enrolled Foothill College students are eligible for the VTA SmartPass Program, which provides unlimited rides on Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) buses and light rail