The goal of the Guardian Scholars Program is to provide each student with financial assistance, life-skills coaching, mentoring, housing referrals, and the many other services that will enable former foster youth to fulfill their dream of attaining a college degree.

Guardian Scholars Student Requirements: Highly motivated  foster youth or former foster youth who plan to enroll in college the following academic year. Students must meet the following requirements:

• Must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA for the $3,500 scholarship award (subject to funding) 
• Maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA for the $5,000 scholarship award (subject to funding)
• Maintain a minimum of 12 semester/16 quarter units of coursework
• Obtain a part-time job (minimum 10 hours per week)
• Fully participate in all aspects of the Guardian Scholars Program
• Agree to staff monitoring of academic performance and university records
• Abide by all university standards for appropriate conduct and community behavior

General Reminder Checklist and Deadlines for Graduating High School Seniors

*Remember to take college entrance exams (SAT or ACT)
 

• October – November

Apply for college admission
Complete housing applications (4-year colleges)
Apply to the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)

• January – March 2nd

Apply for the Free Application for Federal and State Financial Aid (FAFSA)
Apply to the Guardian Scholars Program

• January – April

Apply for other available scholarships

Guardian Scholars Application Deadlines:

• Application will be available on line no later than January 1.
• Application is DUE by midnight on March 2. Late applications are not accepted.
• All materials unable to be emailed, must be faxed or postmarked by March 2. Fax number is (858) 278-4480.
• Incomplete application packages will not be reviewed.
• Applicants will be notified of the Guardian Scholars Scholarship Committee’s final decisions no later than the first week of May.

NOTE: The application is available January 1 to March 2 each year for the following academic year.

Be prepared to include the following information:

• The most recent official transcript
• Essay (you may not use essays from previous applications)
  Note: If you are applying to the SDSU Guardian Scholars Program, you may use the same essay for this application)
   
  For further information contact:
  Stephanie Ortega, Guardian Scholars Program Coordinator
  858-427-1109
  stephanie@promises2kids.org

  CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

  CLICK HERE FOR HANDY LINKS AND RESOURCES!