NextUp

ELIGIBILITY

• Who is eligible for the NextUp program?
  Students are eligible for NextUp if they are current or former foster youth whose dependency was established or continued by a court of competent jurisdiction (including a tribal court) on or after their 13th birthday. Students must be enrolled in the program by age 25, unless they were previously enrolled in another NextUp program.

• What if I lived with family instead of in foster care?
  You may still be eligible if you lived with a grandparent, aunt, uncle, sibling or other relative as a court-ordered foster care or kinship placement on or after your 13th birthday. Living with family without a court-ordered dependency or placement does not qualify.

• What if I stayed in my parent's home under court supervision?
  You may be eligible if you were a dependent youth under family maintenance and remained in your parent's home under juvenile court supervision on or after age 13.

• What if my dependency case was only open briefly?
  You are eligible if you had an open dependency case through juvenile dependency court on or after your 13th birthday, even if it was open for only one day.

• What if my foster care case was in another state?
  You may still be eligible. Students who experienced foster care or had a dependency established in another state on or after their 13th birthday can qualify for NextUp, as long as appropriate verification is provided.

• If I receive the Chafee Grant, am I eligible?
  Most likely, yes. Students who receive the Chafee Grant generally meet NextUp eligibility requirements, since Chafee eligibility is tied to foster care dependency after age 13.

• What documents are used to verify eligibility?
  Acceptable verification may include:

  • court documents showing dependency or placement
  • foster care or ward of the court verification
  • Chafee Grant eligibility confirmation
  • documentation from a county child welfare agency or tribal authority

If you're unsure about your eligibility or need help with verification documents, complete and submit the online NextUp Intake Form. You can also contact Mikisha Deason, NextUp coordinator, at (626) 852-8024. We're happy to help you review your situation and guide you through the next steps.

RESOURCES ON AND OFF CAMPUS

FOSTER YOUTH COLLEGE FUNDING

California Student Aid Commission Financial Aid and Resources for Foster Youth in California

• CalGrant Access Awards
• California Chafee Grant Program for Foster Youth
• California College Promise Grant
• CalKIDS
• FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid
• Student Success Completion Grant