EOPS PROGRAM BENEFITS

• Counseling
• Career Advisement
• Book Voucher
• EOPS Grant
• Emergency Loan
• Student Progress Monitoring
• Individualized Student Success Interventions
• Specialized Support Services
• College Orientation
• Comprehensive Educational Planning
• Priority Registration
• Extra Tutoring
• University Application Fee Waivers
• Scholarship and Job Recommendations
• Care Program Services for Single Parents

• Foster Youth Support Services for current and former foster youth students

EOPS ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 

To qualify for EOPS program services students must meet all the eligibility criteria listed below:

A student must:

1. Be a California resident or AB 540 Dreamer as determined by GCC Admissions and Records Office

2. Be enrolled in 12 or more units when accepted into the program.  

•  Current or Former Foster Youth must be registered in at least one course and working towards 9 units per term.
• DSPS students (6+ units with DSPS counselor verification)

3. Not have completed more than 70 units of degree applicable credit course work in any combination of post-secondary higher education (college/ university)

4. Be low income to qualify for CCPG A, B, and C ($0 EFC)

5. Meet ONE of the following disadvantaged criteria:

a. Registered in English or Math below the level required for the associate degree at GCC, or ESL
NOTE: A placement into GCC graduation or transfer level English or Math with support units
designated with a (+) also meets this criterion (ex. Math 30+, Math 90+ and English 101+)

b. Not have graduated from HS or obtained the General Education Diploma (GED)

c. Graduated from HS with a GPA below 2.5

d. Been previously enrolled in remedial education courses in HS or college

e. First generation college student (neither parent has earned a Bachelor’s degree)

f. Member of college identified underrepresented group (African-American/Black, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Hispanic/Latino)

g. The primary language spoken in the student’s home is/was non-English

h. The student is current or former foster youth

THE HISTORY OF THE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE  EXTENDED OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ESTABLISHED 1969

In 1969, SB 164 (urgency legislation), authored by Senator Alquist, was enacted into law. It expressed intent to encourage California Community Colleges to establish programs and services directed to the identification, recruitment, retention and intellectual and vocational stimulation of students affected by language, social or economic disadvantages. Funding for 1960-70 was $2,870,000. Legally effective in November, EOPS was partly implemented in the Spring of 1970 with 46 institutions participating.

A review of important social events and issues of the sixties may facilitate an understanding of the political climate in which SB 164 was born.

A landmark United States Supreme Court decision was handed down in 1954 (Brown vs Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas). By ruling that separate educational institutions are inherently unequal, integration was given a great thrust. At that time, however, there was not much reaction in California since educational segregation "de jure" (by lawful title) did not exist. Higher education was also smug because public institutions did not appear to discriminate.

With the advent of Civil Rights Act of 1964, both overt and covert discrimination came under the law. This was the most comprehensive attempt to equalize human rights since post Civil War activities.

In 1965, the Watts riots stunned the State of California. Many people could not believe that Blacks outside the South and Eastern slums would resort to violence and destruction. Insightful decision-makers, however somewhat reluctantly, began seeking root causes. Early conclusions indicated that EVEN IN CALIFORNIA, THE PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM WAS NOT REALLY OPEN. For many, TRUE EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY DID NOT EXIST.

In 1968, our nation's capitol was the scene of the massive, emotional and effective "Poor People March". Poverty in the affluent country was dramatized. More and more citizens became aware of the uneven distribution of wealth. Also, 1968, tens of thousands of Chicano students waked out of their schools, protesting INFERIOR EDUCATION in "blowouts" all over the South West. Acute observers began thinking of ways to EQUALIZE OPPORTUNITIES.

Beginning in the mid-sixties, there were many student-led disturbances on college campuses. Although UC Berkeley and San Francisco State receive the most notoriety in California, many community colleges experienced unrest as well. Targets were: The Vietnam War, students power, racism and student aid. An effort to meet the responsibility to integrate more people into the dominant culture was indicated.

Some felt EOPS was an attempt to quell student rebellions and reduce campus tensions.

• Special Workshops for Single Parents
• CARE Grants
• CARE Meal Cards
• CARE Transportation Cards

• Admitted to EOPS
• Current recipient of CalWORKs cash aid for themselves and/or their dependent child (ren)
• At least 18 years of age
• Single head of household
• Must apply for Financial Aid
• Pursue an educational goal which leads to a certificate, degree or transfer

1. Turn in the EOPS admission application.
2. Complete and submit the CARE supplemental eligibility screening form as requested by the CARE program staff.

Download CARE Program Eligibility and Screening Form (pdf)