To be eligible for the Guardian Scholars Program, you must meet these eligibility requirements. If you have any questions about eligibility or think you may be eligible to be a part of the program, please reach out to the Program Coordinator. We look forward to having you join our program!
1. UC Merced Enrollment
You must be a current UC Merced student or have submitted a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) to UC Merced.
2. Eligibility Criteria
You must meet at least one of the following:
- Have resided in foster care or guardianship by your 18th birthday.
- Receive AB-12 funding.
- Be eligible for a Chafee Grant.
- Be eligible for McKinney-Vento services
- Be eligible for ILSP services.
3. Identification with One of the Following Categories
You must identify with at least one of the following categories:
- Foster youth (regardless of the length of time or age at the time of care).
- Emancipated minor (formally or informally arranged).
- Homeless or at risk of homelessness (Due to a natural disaster, you may be living in a shelter, on the street, or "couch hopping.")
- Living with kin (formally or informally arranged)
- Dependent or ward of the court — under age 18.
- Orphaned (parents or legal guardians are deceased, unknown, or absent) — under age 18.
* If you feel you may qualify but don't meet any of the criteria above email guardianscholars@ucmerced.edu
