My name is Zoey Leon, and I have the opportunity of supporting Cerritos College students
as the EOPS Program Assistant. E.O.P.S
stands for "Extended Opportunities,
Programs, and Services." At EOPS we help students
navigate college and we provide a wide range
of student support services that are aimed at helping students meet their educational goals.
One of the key services we offer is Academic Counseling, where students can receive one-on-one
counseling and also develop an Educational Plan. We offer Book Grants & grants - students can
use their Book Grant to purchase some of their textbooks. We have Priority Registration - that's
going to give students an opportunity to register for classes before anyone else. We have the
Textbook & Calculator Lending Program - in which students are able to borrow books & calculators
each semester for their courses. We offer math & writing Tutoring Services,
where students can receive one-on-one help with a tutor on any homework assignments.
Under the umbrella of EOPS services we also offer the C.A.R.E. Program
which stands for "The Cooperative Agency's
Resources for Education." It is designed
to support single parents who are currently receiving cash aid through CalWORKs or TANF.
So in addition to all of the resources provided through EOPS, CARE students will also receive
assistance related to child care, transportation, student supplies, special workshops,
family events, and access to community and resources specifically for parenting students.
Hello, my name is Adrina Sanchez. I'm a single mom of three, I'm 32 years old,
and my major is Nursing. There is a resource that has benefited me the most and that would be
a priority registration, and that is because I don't ever have to worry about
my classes being filled, for the classes that are necessary for my major. I always get priority and
I'm always able to enroll on time. The main resource that helped me throughout my years at
Cerritos was the lending library, and the grants to help pay for books and school supplies. I was
contacted by Richard, one of the EOPS Specialists. He told me about their Summer Bridge Program.
It would consist of an English and a counseling course, an opportunity to get a job on campus, and
of course receiving all the benefits of the EOPS Program. It's Stephanie. Um she's awesome.
Again like I said, she has been there for me since day one. She's been a motivation for me,
you know? There were times where I was feeling discouraged and incompetent, and she was always
there to lift up my spirits and keep motivating me, and she's approachable. She's awesome.
I am a returning student. I have a daughter, I'm a single parent.
I enrolled in Cerritos College in 2019 to recreate myself to follow a new career path.
Anything that you need to be successful, they will ultimately provide it to you not just you,
in addition to that your child benefits as well. We have Christmas parties, there's all types of
engagements that we do together, and um, there's a lot of celebrating with people who are graduating,
when people are transferring to universities, um, we have celebrations. So it's really,
really beneficial and it could change your life forever.
If you are a student who is thinking about joining the EOPS Program I say definitely
take the opportunity to use it and use all of the resources that are available to help you.
To be eligible for EOPS, students must be a California resident or
AB540 eligible. Be receiving the California College Promise Grant under method A or B.
Be enrolled full time for the term admitted, 12 units in the fall semester or spring,
or six units in the summer. Have not completed more than 40 units in total from all colleges
or universities. Be classified as facing an academic or socio-economic barrier.
To be eligible for CARE, students must first meet all EOPS/CARE eligibility criteria.
Be at least 18 years of age. Have at least one child and be single parent head of household.
And finally, be receiving cash aid through CalWORKs or TANF.
To apply for EOPS, visit the Cerritos College EOPS website, and from the home page, select
"Join EOPS." Follow the indicated steps. Our office is located in the administration building,
and right across the library. We look forward in seeing you soon. To learn more, visit our website
for more information. Ultimately, the goal of EOPS and CARE is to be able to serve students
that are either economically or educationally disadvantaged, and be able to provide them with
the tools and resources and support that is needed to succeed in their educational goals.