Need-Based Support Programs

While every college is unique, they all have a common goal: to see students complete their education successfully and graduate. The government, both at the state and federal level, shares this goal, which is part of the reason tax-payer dollars are allocated for postsecondary education expenses, such as specific types of Students Loans and Student Support Programs.

This page will cover the main federally funded and state-funded programs available to students in California. Note that the federally funded programs are also available at schools across the United States. If you apply to and qualify for these programs, they'll help you stay on the path to obtaining your degree.

Federal Programs

You might already be familiar with federal TRiO programs from your local high school. Perhaps you participated in TRiO Educational Talent Search or TRiO Upward Bound, and you know first hand how helpful TRiO support can be. There are two TRiO programs for college students: Student Support Services and McNair Scholars. Because TRiO programs are federally funded, you must be a citizen of the United States to qualify. To learn more about TRiO programs in general, visit the Department of Education's website Links to an external site..

TRiO Student Support Services

There are over 100 TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) programs located at universities and community colleges in California, with over 1,000 programs throughout the country. SSS is designed to help you complete your post-secondary education. It is sometimes known under a different name (College of the Redwoods' program is called the TRiO Student Success Program) and is sometimes housed with other support programs (at Humboldt State University, SSS and EOP work together), but they all share the same goal: to help you stay in school and graduate.

SSS programs provide tutoring, personalized advising, and other help similar to what TRiO students receive in their high school TRiO programs. Generally, you must be either first-generation or income-eligible to qualify. You'll need to apply to join TRiO SSS, so check your college's website to see if they offer the program and to learn how to apply. To get an idea, you can check out the TRiO SSS websites at HSU and CR Links to an external site..

TRiO McNair Scholars

The McNair Scholars Program is designed to help prepare undergraduate students (students studying for their bachelor's degrees) for graduate and doctoral studies. Like other TRiO programs, you might qualify for McNair if you have financial need and come from a background that is traditionally underrepresented in graduate education. Unique to McNair, you must also demonstrate strong academic potential. Visit their website Links to an external site. for more information about the program in general. The McNair website also has a comprehensive list of programs Links to an external site. throughout the United States with links to most programs' websites, including the 19 programs located at universities in California (unfortunately, there is not a McNair program on every college campus). If your school of choice has a McNair program and you are planning on pursuing graduate education, you should strongly consider applying.

State of California Programs

The State of California funds college success programs at both community colleges and universities. At 4-year schools, you can apply to the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). At 2-year schools, you'll have the chance to join the Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS). Further, if you're attending a 2-year college and are a single parent, the state also funds a program nicknamed CARE to help you make it through your education. Because these programs are funded by the state of California, Dreamers are welcome to apply!

Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) located at UCs and CSUs is designed to provide its students with academic support, advising, counseling, mentorship, and financial assistance (when available), with the ultimate goal of helping students graduate. You might qualify for EOP if you are a first-generation college student, meaning neither of your biological parents has a bachelor's degree, and you're what EOP considers to be financially disadvantaged. Additionally, to qualify for EOP, you generally must have academic need. 

All CSU campuses and four UC campuses (Davis, Santa Barbara, Berkeley, and Santa Cruz) call their programs EOP. In order to apply, you must complete the EOP application with your application for admissions. The other five UC campuses (Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, and San Diego) refer to their programs by different names and have different requirements to qualify and apply. The University of California EOP webpage Links to an external site. includes the websites for all nine UC programs, so make sure to refer to the program at your school of choice for more information. The California State University EOP webpage Links to an external site. provides more information about EOP at CSUs, including answers to frequently asked questions and information about how to apply. Please note that meeting minimum qualifications for these programs does not guarantee acceptance as there is often more need than funding can support. That being said, if you don't apply, you definitely won't be accepted, so give it your best shot! You'll need to provide the names and email addresses of two people to complete recommendations on your behalf. Don't be afraid to ask your TRiO advisor, school counselor, and favorite teachers — we're here to help!

Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS) &
Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE)

The Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS) is a California Community College program that aims to help students complete their community college education and transfer to 4-year schools, as appropriate. Every community college in California has EOPS. The program offers incredible services, funded by the state of California, including academic support and advising, tutoring, financial support (for example, College of the Redwoods provides a book voucher and bus pass each semester), as well as other services to help you complete your education.

To qualify for EOPS, students must meet a variety of criteria, including being a California resident or Dream Act student, enrolling in courses full-time (unless you qualify for a waiver), and being what EOPS considers educationally disadvantaged. 

The CARE program is often featured with EOPS, as it is also state funded and located at every community college in California. To qualify for CARE, you must be in EOPS. CARE offers additional services for, essentially, single parents. If you are the head of your household, single, and have minor dependents, CARE will help you with additional financial and educational support. If you are a single parent, please consider taking advantage of this incredible program to help you receive your education. It is possible!

You can familiarize yourself with the general requirements for EOPS/CARE on CR's website Links to an external site., but make sure to refer to your community college's EOPS/CARE program for more information about qualifying and applying for your school's program. You can also visit California Community College's website Links to an external site. for general information about their programs.

 

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