NextUp

NextUp at Imperial Valley College provides personalized support, resources, advocacy, and opportunities for eligible current and former foster youth. Whether you are working toward a certificate, associate degree, career, or transfer to a university, our team is here to support you every step of the way. 

NextUp Application

What is NextUp? 

NextUp is a California Community Colleges program designed to help eligible current and former foster youth succeed in college. 

Through individualized support and connections to campus and community resources, NextUp helps students navigate college, overcome barriers, build community, and work toward their educational and career goals. 

At IVC, we want NextUp students to have more than access to resources. We want students to feel supported, connected, empowered, and confident about what comes next. 

To qualify for the California NextUp Program students must meet specific age, foster care history, unit enrollment, and residency requirements

 

Student Eligibility 

The key expansions to NextUp eligibility include students who: 

• Were in foster care, in any state, for at least one day, on or after their 13th birthday. 
• Are enrolled in or planning to enroll in at least nine units or agree to an education plan with the future goal of enrolling in nine units. 
• Are no older than 26 years of age at the commencement of any academic year in which the student first enrolls in the program; students enrolled in the program prior to turning 26 are allowed to continue participating in the program beyond the age of 26. 
• Enroll in the NextUp program prior to age 26, disenroll, and subsequently return after turning 26 may be readmitted to the same or another NextUp program.