High school students should obtain the approved list of college-preparatory ("a-g") courses for your high school at https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/, provided by the University of California (UC). These "a-g" college-prep high school courses are required for freshman admission by the UC system, the California State University (CSU) system, and most independent four-year colleges and universities. (See the right column of our FAQ page for an explanation of the a-g requirements.)

For applying for admission to one or more of the 23 campuses in the CSU system, including San Diego State University (SDSU) and Cal State San Marcos (CSUSM) in North San Diego County, go to www.csumentor.edu. High school seniors must file their online application early during the Oct. 1- Nov. 30 filing period, preferably in the month of October. No essays/personal statements or letters of recommendation are required by the CSU system for admission. Applicants must submit SAT or ACT scores, taken by November of their senior year, to be considered for admission. Youth in foster care should be able to apply to 4 CSU campuses for FREE, utilizing the CSU online application fee waiver. Cal State San Marcos guarantees admission to foster youth who meet criteria and file all requested application materials by October 31. See www.csusm.edu/ace/prospective-students/application-steps.html for details.

The CSU has a separate application for EOP (Educational Opportunity Program) to which all foster youth should apply. On the admission application, students should check the box indicating they would like to apply to EOP. Subsequently, students will be sent a link to the EOP application which should be submitted by the indicated deadline.

For applying for admission to one or more of the 9 undergraduate campuses in the UC system, go to www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions. High school seniors should file their online application early during the Nov. 1-30 filing period. (The application is available beginning October 1 for students to begin work on the form and the personal statements). No letters of recommendation are required by the UC system for admission, except in rare cases. (Only submit them if requested by a campus.) Applicants must submit official SAT Reasoning Test or ACT Plus Writing scores, taken by December of their senior year. The SAT Subject Tests are no longer required but certain programs on some campuses recommend them. Youth in foster care should be able to apply to 4 UC campuses for FREE, utilizing the UC online application fee waiver.

Please note that on the UC admission application, students can indicate categories in which they identify (e.g. under "Ancestry or family relationship", an applicant may self-identify as "foster child"; or under "Special conditions", an applicant may indicate "student who persevered through difficult life circumstances to achieve educational goals") to be considered for restricted monies, in addition to automatically being considered for unrestricted scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study, by virtue of submitting their FAFSA and GPA verification.

For applying for admission to many private colleges and universities, including institutions located in California, go to www.commonapp.org or go to the website of the institution. As a general rule, applicants will need to submit one or more essays/personal statements, and 1-2 letters of recommendation from teachers and/or a school counselor/administrator for admission consideration at private colleges and universities. Youth in foster care should be able to apply to 4 private colleges and universities for FREE, by utilizing the application fee waiver available from their school counselor and provided through the SAT program fee waiver service (see our page on "SAT & ACT reg & fee waivers").

For students enrolling in a California community college (CCC), a free application for admission should be submitted in Jan-March prior to fall term enrollment. You can apply online at each CCC's website by clicking the "Admissions" button, or go to www.cccapply.org. After applying for admission, go to www.icanaffordcollege.com for important information regarding fee waivers (the "BOG" Fee Waivers) and other financial assistance. In essence, foster youth can enroll in a CCC for FREE. For valuable information regarding career training programs at each of the California community colleges in San Diego and Imperial Counties, go to www.sdicregionalconsortium.org. In addition to the BOG Fee Waiver, all foster youth should apply to EOPS at the CCC to which they are filing their admission application. EOPS provides very valuable services to foster youth.

For applying for financial aid (and to secure a PIN in advance of filing), go to www.fafsa.ed.gov. Remember the filing window is between January 1 and March 2. All youth in foster care must file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by the March 2nd deadline. See our "$$ Money for College for Foster Youth" page for lots of information! Get your PIN before January by registering for it at www.pin.ed.gov.

Learn more about preparing for college by accessing the Foster Youth Educational Planning Guide at www.cacollegepathways.org. This website also has a list of scholarships and campus support programs like the Guardians Scholars and Renaissance Scholars programs, available to California youth in foster care and former foster youth.

For FREE web-based career exploration, utilize www.CACareerZone.com  or www.californiacolleges.edu, a collaboratively-created higher education and career planning resource for California students.

For college exploration, utilize www.zinch.com or www.cappex.com.

For improving your math and English skills prior to college enrollment (for students in grades 10, 11, and 12), go to: www.csumathsuccess.org and www.csuenglishsuccess.org

Programs that help first-generation college-going and low-income students prepare for and succeed in college (youth in foster care should join these programs at their schools, if available):

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)--a school-based program in many middle and high schools in California to encourage college readiness. Participation in AVID includes taking the AVID elective course each year. It is very important that youth in foster care sign up for AVID.

GEAR UP (Gain Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs)--a federally funded middle school model for creating a college-going culture.

MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement)--offers academic enrichment for educationally disadvantaged students.

Puente Project--a program at high schools and community colleges to encourage college enrollment and provide mentoring. Co-sponsored by the University of California's Office of the President and the California Community College Chancellor's Office.

TRIO Programs--8 federally-funded programs that support student success. Among them are Upward Bound (which provides tutoring, mentoring, and enrichment to high school youth), Talent Search (which identifies and assists students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in college), and Student Support Services  (which provides opportunities for academic development and serves to motivate students toward successful completion of their college degrees).

EAOP--Early Academic Opportunity Program--administered by UC Office of the President to increase low income and ethnically underrepresented students at UC campuses--UCSD's program currently serves students in 16 high schools in SD and Imperial Counties.

Compact for Success--a partnership between San Diego State University and Sweetwater School District.

In addition to the above-referenced programs, Cal-SOAP San Diego County serves elementary, middle, and high school students in our region by providing information about postsecondary education and financial aid. Cal-SOAP works to raise the achievement levels of students from low-income families, students who are first in their family to attend college, and students from schools with low college enrollment rates.

Native youth should consider programs offered by College Horizons, an organization dedicated to preparing Native American students for college and graduate school. See www.collegehorizons.org for more information.