Support for Foster Youth
Quick overview
Who this is for: We support students with current or former experiences in the foster care or child welfare system, no matter the length of time or age at the time of care, including out-of-home placements. This may have included:
- Foster or group homes
- Transitional housing (THP+FC, THP+NMD, THP+, THPP)
- Legal guardianship or kinship care
- Youth designated as Ward of the Court or Probation Youth
- AB 12 recipients
What we offer: Academic and personal guidance, basic needs and housing support, mentorship, career and leadership development, community-building, and a welcoming network of peers.
Connect with us
Location: Academic Resource Center 121
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Email: rsp@ucsc.edu
Phone: (831) 459-5899
Instagram: @ucsc_resilientscholars
Appointments: Schedule via Slug Success
A welcoming space for students with foster care experience
If you’ve been part of the foster care or child welfare system, your experience matters—and you belong here. The Hope Scholars Program (HSP), part of the Resilient Scholar Programs (RSP), provides holistic services, resources, and community for students who have experience with the foster care or child welfare system in any form. Our program is designed to help you build stability, pursue your goals, and thrive at UCSC and beyond.
Programs and support
Housing and basic needs support
Foster youth often face housing insecurity, especially during academic breaks and transitional periods. Through the Resilient Scholar Programs, we can help with:
- Early move-in options for fall
- Emergency housing during summer and winter breaks
- Financial help for textbooks, technology, food, health care co-pays, and more
- Support with clearing enrollment holds
Need help? Fill out the Resilient Scholars Basic Needs Form to request support.
Career and leadership development
Chancellor’s Undergraduate Internship Program (CUIP)
Earn a $4,000 or $8,000 scholarship while developing a leadership project with direct support from the Underground Scholars Program Coordinator. Includes a leadership course that fulfills your PR-S general education requirement. Learn more about CUIP.
Community Development Internship Program (CDIP)
Gain professional experience with local organizations, be mentored by community leaders, and earn work-study funding.
To learn more about CDIP, email rsp@ucsc.edu
Mentorship and community connection
Hope Scholars offers community events, one-on-one guidance, and opportunities to connect with peers who understand your journey.
Journeys Peer Mentor Program
This program pairs first-year and transfer Hope Scholars with experienced peer mentors. You’ll receive guidance throughout your first academic year and build supportive relationships as you adjust to life at UCSC.
- Who this is for: First-year, newly admitted frosh and underrepresented transfer students.
- How to sign up: Journeys Peer Mentor Program Form
Pathways to Alumni Peer Mentor Program
This program supports Hope Scholars in their final year, helping you navigate graduation and the transition beyond college. Mentors provide encouragement and planning support as you prepare for your next chapter.
- How to sign up: Pathways to Alumni Peer Mentor Program Form
- Who this is for: Hope Scholars in their final academic year at UCSC.
Additional resources and financial aid info
Independent status and financial aid
If you’ve had experience in foster care after age 13, you likely qualify as an independent student on your FAFSA or CADAA. This means you won’t need to provide parental information, which can increase your eligibility for grants, scholarships, and other financial assistance.
The Smith Society at UC Santa Cruz
The Smith Society supports students who have faced major life challenges such as foster care, homelessness, or being a ward of the court. Many Smith Scholars are also system-impacted. The program provides mentorship, community, and resources to help students succeed.
Santa Cruz County resources
California and national resources
Prospective and incoming students
If you’re planning to attend UCSC and identify with the foster care or child welfare system experience, we’d love to hear from you. Fill out the Resilient Scholar Programs Interest Form, and we’ll follow up with resources, answers to your questions, and ways to connect
Connect with our team
The staff behind the Hope Scholars Program are deeply committed to supporting students with foster care and child welfare system experience. Whether you need help navigating college, finding housing, accessing resources, or just want someone to talk to who gets where you’re coming from, we’re here for you. Our approach is student-centered, community-driven, and grounded in the belief that higher education can be transformative.
Reach out anytime—we’d love to connect.
Email: rsp@ucsc.edu
Our mission
The Hope Scholars Program (HSP) is a community that serves as a vital support system to many students who share various personal backgrounds and hardships. The Hope Scholars Program centers your lived experiences by supporting you to pave a path towards your own healing while navigating your academic and personal journey at UC Santa Cruz.