NextUp Program

The NextUp Program,  formerly known as Cooperating Agencies Foster Youth Educational Support (CAFYES),  is a supplemental support service program for eligible students who are current and former foster youth, or current and former Unaccompanied Refugee Minor participants. 

The additional support service aims to assist, encourage, and support current/former foster youth/Unaccompanied Refugee Minor student participants in achieving their academic, enrollment, retention, transfer, and career goals. NextUp also provides independent living skills support, financial literacy and personal skills workshops, book and academic supply assistance, and more.

As a student, you’re committed to the goal of achieving a college education, and we are committed to helping you get it.

Your part is to:

• Work towards creating the future you want.
• Meet with a counselor several times each semester to make the most of your college experience.
• Focus on the steps outlined in your education plan created with a counselor.

Apply to NextUp (PDF)

Eligibility

1. Be enrolled at ARC for the semester of participation with a recommended 9 units, or at least 1 course (if not currently enrolled, contact us for support on becoming enrolled)
2. Be a current or former foster care-involved student or current or former Unaccompanied Refugee Minor participant whose dependency or wardship was established or continued by the court on, or after, the 13th birthday
3. Be no older than 25 at the start of any academic year in which you first enroll in the program or were previously certified NextUp

Things you need to apply to the NextUp Program:

• Have a Los Rios student ID#
  • New students may Apply to ARC to receive a Los Rios student ID#
• Submit verification of dependency as a foster youth or Unaccompanied Refugee Minor participant to arcnextup@arc.losrios.edu. The Foster Care Ombudsman’s Office at (877) 846-1602 or  Verification Request Form | FYH provides former foster youth in California with Dependency Letters (also called Verification Letters or Ward of the Court Letters.
• Meet with a counselor to create a current educational plan for at least one semester with a recommended 9 units per term (NextUp staff can schedule this counselor appointment with you)
• Submit a NextUp application
• Attend a NextUp orientation and complete the NextUp contract
• Applicants are highly encouraged to complete a  FAFSA or CADAA  with ARC as the designated home college and complete a CCPG Fee Waiver. 

Program Responsibilities

• It is highly recommended that students meet with a program counselor at least 3 times per term
• Complete the required life skills development workshops and activities during each semester of participation
• Update financial aid every year to potentially qualify for financial aid and other possible funds

Note: NextUp Program applications are accepted at any point during the academic year as long as applicants meet the above qualifications.

Please complete and submit the NextUp application along with a copy of your Ward of Court letter to: ARCNextUp@arc.losrios.edu and call the EOP&S/NextUp program at (916) 484-8128 to make a Counseling appointment with an EOP&S/CARE/NextUp Counselor to create an Education Plan for at least one semester or full academic year with a recommended 9 units each semester. Students may also create an education plan with an ARC general counselor by contacting the ARC Counseling Department. Inquire with your counselor about whether or not you may be eligible for a DSPS unit load reduction.

For your Counseling appointment at the EOP&S/CARE office, if possible, you may bring your completed NextUp application along with your Ward of the Court Letter to leave with the EOP&S/CARE/NextUp counselor. These materials will begin your program application file and eligibility review for the NextUp Program participation.

Services Provided

As NextUp participants, the following services will be provided:

• Access to the NextUp support staff for personal guidance towards the successful completion of goals and academic objectives 
• Monthly monetary NextUp support services to assist with books and other educational supplies (monetary awards are dependent upon the student’s  financial aid status and financial aid unmet need)
• • NextUp students are also encouraged to complete a Chafee grant application  for additional funding. Note: Half time enrollment (6 units) is required for this grant.  
• If funding permits: Assistance with out-of-pocket childcare expenses
• Referrals to support groups, workshops, and other personal development events
• For Any additional needed resources, please discuss the need with the NextUp staff member or a counselor for the possibility of assistance

Hear What Students are Saying about NextUp

American River College NextUp Program Policies

Program Applications and Admissions Policies

• Program applications are accepted year-round.
• Applications and participation capacity will be reviewed on a term-by-term basis.
• In order to provide active NextUp participants comprehensive support, program admission is based on program capacity given staffing and funding available to the NextUp program at American River College for a given term.
• Applications received by the program while the program is at capacity will be placed on a wait list in the order the applications are received.
• When an active NextUp participant transitions to a past NextUp participant, due to non-enrollment, opting out of the program, or any other reason pursuant to California Education Code 56400 through 56411, a space will become available for a NextUp applicant on the wait list. 
• NextUp applicants on the wait list will then be contacted on a first-come, first-serve basis when a space becomes available in order to onboard them into the program if they continue to meet program eligibility and complete the requirements in order to become an active NextUp participant within a given timeline during a term. 
• If the applicant no longer meets the eligibility requirements for the program, does not complete the requirements within the given timeline, is unable to be contacted via the contact information they provided after 3 attempts, or self-selects non participation in the program in a given term, the applicant will be moved from the wait list and placed on the Past Applicant list; these students will only be considered for a future term.
• If a student was placed on the Past Applicant list for a future term and wishes to return to participate in the program, they will need to complete and submit an updated application. After doing so, they will be placed on the wait list in order based on the date of their most current application.
• The policies described above are pursuant to California Education Code 79223.5 as well as Title 5 Education Code 56405 Program Standards, as students are not being required to meet additional eligibility requirements as a condition for enrollment in the NextUp program.

Grant Policies

• According to Title 5 California Education Code, colleges may establish written procedures for awarding NextUp direct aid.
• NextUp grants may be awarded, but are not guaranteed, to active NextUp participants (who are enrolled in at least 9 units or in at least one course and have an education plan designed to move the student towards subsequent enrollment in at least 9 units at American River College for the given term) if sufficient funding is available as received from the California Community College Chancellor’s Office to equitably disburse NextUp grants to all active NextUp participants for the current term. 
• If funding permits and in accordance with the Los Rios Community College District financial aid department, NextUp grants may be disbursed to active NextUp participants who have remaining unmet need in their financial aid package for the given term. Grants may be awarded in an amount not to exceed a student’s unmet need.
• According to Title 5 California Education Code, NextUp programs may determine that direct aid is not appropriate if the student is not engaging in their education plan or has already met the objectives outlined in that plan.
• Active NextUp participants may be eligible for NextUp grants if they are completing the program activity requirements.

NextUp Student Rights

• “Pursuant to section 58621, NextUp students meeting the definition of “foster youth” in Education Code section 66025.9 are exempt from loss of the California College Promise Grant due to academic or progress notice and shall not be removed from NextUp solely due to being on academic or progress notice.” 

Related Links

• California Foster Care Ombudsperson Verification Request Form
• California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth