Students with a history as foster care youth have support and assistance in The Guardian Scholars Program at Sacramento State.

According to Soua Lee,  coordinator for The Guardian Scholars Program, it serves as a tool for students with foster care history to improve access to higher education as well as a pillar for  financial and moral support.

“We have a goal to build a community where students feel they have an identity in the program.,” Lee said. “I want students to feel proud being in the program. If there isn’t a clear understanding of what the program stands for, there may be negative connotations around the program and they may not want to identify themselves with it.”

The program was established in 2006, as a result of several legislative acts calling for improved educational outcomes for youth in the foster care system, including those orphaned, homeless or dependent of the court.

Guardian Scholars strives to be a “one-stop” resource for students, as the staff provides academic advising.

Social work major Jazzmine Parker said she benefited from the program’s services.

“I didn’t have to wait to see a counselor, as program coordinators also serve as our advisors,” Parker said. “I also received many job contacts through the program, which will definitely help me in the future.”

Program participant are often provided access to housing, financial aid, receive priority registration dates for classes and priority referrals for mental health services.

According to Lee, one of the most important services the program offers is the California Chafee Grant.

California Student Aid Commission states that the California Chafee Grant is free money for current or former California foster youth to help pay for college or career and technical training.

Chafee Grants do not have to be paid back, as they may be used for child care, rent, transportation and any other financial issues.

This semester, there are 52 active Sac State students in the program,

Guardian Scholars Academic Adviser Alexandria Hill noticed significant improvement in student success over the years within the program.

“Last year, we had eight students graduate from Sac State from the program,” Hill said. “We have eight more graduating this year compared to just two graduates per year, each year since 2006.”

According to Hill, there is no age restriction to apply for the program, only that the individual has been in foster care, no matter the length of time.

In order for students to become qualified for the program, a ward of the court must be provided for eligibility.

A Ward of the court is someone who has received protection from the court and may have had a legal guardian appointed either by the court or by parental consent.

As students arrive to the program, they are matched with mentors to provide emotional support and guidance for college and career success.

Social work major Anuja Lal found her mentor-mentee relationship to be helpful.

“They’re like a role model, always having advice and resources,” Lal said. “It’s nice to know that I have those to go to for support.”

According to Lee, 70 percent of mentors are Sac State faculty and staff, as the remaining 30 percent are off-campus professionals, who are either employed or retired, from diverse fields of studies.

Mentors provide their own time to meet the students and offer valuable advice regarding college success and career planning.

“Mentors make every effort to engage in their accomplishments whether it is on or off campus,” Lee said. “A lot of these students may not have strong social support systems, so whenever they need us to act as though we are their parents, we would be able to fulfill that role as much as possible.”