Guardian Scholars Program Educational Opportunity Program San Francisco State University 1600 Holloway Avenue, SSB201 San Francisco, CA 94132 Mondays to Fridays, 9am - 5pm Phone: 415.405.0546
Email: gsp@sfsu.edu
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Introduction What is Guardian Scholars Program? Mission Services Staff & University Liaisons Annual Events
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Student Life Student Involvement Organizational Tips Budget Management Scholarship Timeline Wellness Tips
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Campus Resources Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Financial Aid Housing Health Counseling & Psychological Services
Off-Campus Resources
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About
SF State University's Guardian Scholars Program (GSP) is a comprehensive program of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), in collaboration with the School of Social Work, serving former foster youth who are pursuing their undergraduate degrees. Launched in Summer 2005, SF State GSP is tailored to fit the needs of undergraduate students who are current or former foster youth. The individual case management services offered through GSP augments EOP's current academic focus. The Guardian Scholars Program partners with on-campus departments and works with off-campus social service groups to ensure a pipeline for CSU eligible youth in foster care. Each year, the program admits both first-time freshmen and transfer students. The combined partnership of SF State's Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and the SF State School of Social Work defines a commitment to student success and academic achievement.
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Mission
Through advocacy, support and empowerment, the SF State Guardian Scholars Program creates a vibrant community to engage current and former foster youth to attain college degrees, stable housing and career path employment. EOP students can apply for this collaborative program that works with the School of Social Work to provide comprehensive support and clinical case management services.
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Priority access to on-campus housing in the Guardian Scholars Residential Theme Community at the Towers at Centennial Square Apartments and The Village Apartments at Centennial Square (Summer and Winter break housing scholarships available)
Renewable scholarship opportunities specific to Guardian Scholar students
Priority registration every semester
EOP Summer Bridge priority and participation for first time frosh
GSP liaison and personal contacts with campus departments including: Financial Aid, Housing and Residential Services, Student Health Service, AS Early Childhood Education Center, Career Center, Disability Programs and Resource Center (DPRC), and Student Support Services (TRiO).
Access to Counseling and Psychological Services appointments
Bi-monthly meetings with Guardian Scholars Case Manager
Mental health services and referrals for both on and off campus support
Peer Mentorship Program specific to Guardian Scholar students
Job and internship opportunities with the GSP Career Leadership Pathways Program
Support in maintaining a close connection with Independent Living Skills Programs and county social service agencies AB12 and community resources
One-on-one financial aid packaging assistance specific to foster youth
Social, cultural support and FUN activities
Friendly and accessible program staff specializing in advocacy and student empowerment 6
Priority access to on-campus housing in the Towers at Centennial Square Apartments, The Village Apartments at Centennial Square, University Park South (UPS) and University Park North (UPN)
Renewable scholarship opportunities specific to Guardian Scholar students
Priority registration every semester
GSP liaison and personal contacts with campus departments including: Financial Aid, Housing and Residential Services, Student Health Service, AS Early Childhood Education Center, Career Center, Disability Programs and Resource Center (DPRC), and Student Support Services (TRiO).
Access to Counseling and Psychological Services appointments
Bi-monthly meetings with Guardian Scholars Case Manager
Mental health services and referrals for both on and off campus support
Peer Mentorship Program specific to Guardian Scholar students
Job and internship opportunities with GSP Career Leadership Pathways Program
Support in maintaining a close connection with Independent Living Skills Programs and county social service agencies and community resources
One-on-one financial aid packaging assistance specific to foster youth
Social, cultural support and FUN activities
Friendly and accessible program staff specializing in advocacy and student empowerment
Invitation to monthly events and workshops
Weekly updates and emails about scholarship, job opportunities, and resources for former foster youth 7
Darine Villanueva Program Assistant Darine (sounds like “Darren�) is really excited to be a part of GSP! Her role consists of supporting staff with logistics of our day to day functions and obstacles as a program; and also to help support students with any questions they may have, in addition to providing an open ear and open space to get to know them.
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Xochitl Violeta Sanchez
GSP STAFF
GSP Director/Co-Founder As the very proud GSP co-founder and Director, Xochitl’s biggest responsibility lies in the well being of all students and program staff. Maintaining a sustainably solid service delivery is critical so that the academic, mental health, career, housing and empowerment/leadership opportunities are accessible and available. Xochitl supports everyone’s unique history and vision that works toward success stories. She has the best job in the world that works with the best people on the planet!
Sonja Lenz-Rashid GSP Co-Founder & Research Evaluator Students may not see her often except at major GSP events, but Sonja is the co-founder of GSP who provides clinical supervision over the GSP staff, manages donor relations, and handles the development side of GSP. Sonja also evaluates research data on the success of GSP students.
Lance Dwyer Program Manager As Program Manager, Lance supports Xochitl with program planning, data reporting analysis and day to day operational tasks. Lance also holds a caseload of primarily freshmen and sophomore students.
Melanie Ramirez-Car pio Career Planning Manager As Career Planning Manager, Melanie supports students for life after graduation through internship placements, job readiness skills, and resume and cover letter assistance. Melanie also organizes Job Shadow Day, where students shadow a professional in their field of interest to get first-hand knowledge of their career. Melanie also supports students through case management services.
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U NIVERSITY LIAISONS Bobby Farlice EOP Advisor
bobfar@sfsu.edu Brittnee Pughe Financial Aid (Chafee Coordinator) bpughe@sfsu.edu Belinda Chan Residence Life (Placements) bsychan@sfsu.edu Karen Neal Residence Life (Billing) kneal@sfsu.edu Laurene Dominguez Safe Place (Coordinator) ldomingz@sfsu.edu
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GSP annual events allow students to learn more about the Guardian Scholars Program at SF State, develop leadership and professional skills, and integrate themselves into the GSP family! Keep an eye out for some of these important events: August
New Student Orientation
October
Halloween Party
November
Annual Luncheon Thanksgiving Feast
December
Winter Party
January
Warriors Game Spring Dinner at Bucca Di Bepo
February
Job Shadow Day
May
Graduation Celebration
Other GSP community events we do include:
Workshops and groups building life skills, such as the relationship of sleep and wellness, mindfulness, and so on;
Crafty days;
Board game nights;
Spring break activities like urban hikes, field day, ice cream sandwich making party; and more!
THERE’ S
A L WAY S S O M E T H I N G G O I N G O N I N
GSP! 11
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Start out with 12 units so you don’t overwhelm yourself your first semester. Figure out how much you can handle before you take on too much.
Find out what kind of environment works best for you! Some people study well with different music, and some people study well in silence.
Get to know other classmates so you can form study groups for readings or projects, questions about the material, and accountability to stay on track.
Start on assignments and readings early that way you can work on it little by little each day, instead of doing it last minute.
Introduce yourself to your professors and go to their office hours often. When your professors know your face and recognize you want to succeed in class, they will more likely be on your side. You can also use them for letters of recommendation!
Use index cards to highlight key concepts with examples - you can use these to study while on the bus or waiting in line, instead of carrying the textbook everywhere.
Use the free tutoring at EOP or CARP. Tutors are available according to your schedule.
Study in chunks of time(45 min to an hour), and then take a 10-15 minute break. When we give our brains a break, we’re more likely to retain information and be more productive, instead of cramming and studying for a few hours straight. 14
Tick-Tock Tick-Tock Tips on time management so you can control the way you spend time
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Money and Budgeting Apps Monitor your spending, saving, and budgeting using these smartphone apps: Mint, Level Money, LearnVest, Toshl Finance
Attached to technology like your smartphone or laptop? Here are recommended apps to get started on organizing your priorities!
Time Management Apps Back up your files on a cloud server so you can access them anywhere, including your phone: Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive. Carry, manage, and stay on track with your tasks/to-do lists: Any.Do, Remember the Milk, and Cozi. Organize events and assignments using calendar/planner apps: Google Calendar, Sunrise Calendar, Any.Do Cal, and Cozi.
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Make it Rain learn how to budget money wisely using these tips and tools
ASK YOURSELF: How much do I need to save? How much can I spend? What am I saving towards?
SAVE THAT MONAY, MONAY, MONAY
Browse sites with coupons or discounted items: Coupons.com, Woot!, SlickDeals & Groupon.
Consider brewing your own coffee and Invest in a reusable travel cup. Peets, Starbucks, and Phil’z all give small discounts for bringing your own cup!
Check with a GSP case manager to see if you’re qualified for CalFresh (food stamps)!
Make sure you always have your student ID on you for student discounts at retail stores. 17
Fun & Cheap in San Francisco Looking for something to do, but don't have a lot to spend?
Free admissions to museums and the zoo on the first week on every month. Explore and hike around in San Francisco from Twin Peaks to Mount Davidson to Sutro Baths, and so on! For events around SF, go to http://SF.FUNCHEAP.COM Take advantage of free events happening on campus! This lets you meet new people on campus, and sometimes there’s free food! 18
Money Management Income/Cash Inflows
Amount
Notes
Grants/Scholarships Employment Income Loans
TOTAL Fixed Expenses/Cash Outflows Tuition Housing Phone Cable/Internet
Variable Expenses/Cash Outflows Transportation Groceries Eating out Clothing
TOTAL CASH BALANCE 19
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Scholarship Timeline Scholarship
Website
Promises to Kids
promises2kids.org/ something-special-fund/
Friends of ILSP
friendsofsfilsp.org
Sari Wade Memorial Scholarship, City Youth Now
cityyouthnow.org
Due Date Requirements 1/31
2.0 GPA for $3550; 2.5 GPA for $5000
Spring Semester SF youth, under 24 2/10
SF youth
sfsu.edu/~eop/ The Ray Uribe/ services.html#eop_scholarships Associated Students Memorial Scholarship
3/31
EOP Student, Fulltime, 2.5 GPA
Foster Care 2 Success fc2success.org/
3/31
Under the age of 25, in foster care 12 consecutive months leading up to their 18th birthday or placed in guardianship after their 16th birthday
Foster a Dream
4/8
Under age of 25, 2.0 GPA, Alameda, Marin, Napa, Solano, Contra Costa County origins
EOP, The Pamela and sfsu.edu/~eop/ services.html#eop_scholarships Kenneth Fong Scholarship
5/31
EOP Student, Fulltime, 2.5 GPA
sfsu.edu/~eop/ The Louie Loy and Leong Shee Memorial services.html#eop_scholarships Scholarship
5/31
EOP Student, Fulltime, 2.5 GPA
Capture a Dream, Minority Leaders Scholarship
capturethedream.org
6/30
Enrolled fulltime; Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma origins.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
hsf.net
12/15
fosteradream.org
Fulltime Student, 3.0 GPA
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Doing something active, like working out, is a good way to physically and mentally take care and feel good about yourself.
Wellness Tips
Practice mindfulness. Studies have shown practicing mindfulness helps retain information, improves mood, and prepares the brain to learn better.
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Offers financial assistance for students to attend SFSU in the forms of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study. 
Check for eligibility on Chafee, AB12, Pell Grant, Cal Grant, EOP Grant, AB540
Priority on-campus housing for GSP students throughout the year, including summer! Has family housing now Meal plans Summer stipend
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THP-Plus housing located in San Francisco and San Mateo Counties.
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GUARDIAN SCHOLARS PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM
SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY 1600 HOLLOWAY AVENUE, SSB201 SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94132 MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS, 9AM - 5PM PHONE: 415.405.0546 EMAIL: GSP@SFSU.EDU
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