New Students

All student appointments are via in-person or zoom.

To be eligible for CalWORKs, a student must:

  • Be receiving the adult AND child portion of Cash-Aid
  • Have an assigned social worker
    • LA County: GAIN Service Worker 
    • Orange County:  County Service Worker 
  • Be enrolled in at least one class (Credit/Non-Credit Course)

  1. Complete an Admission Application, a California College Promise Grant (Fee Waiver), and a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)                                                 
  2. Take the Self-Report Tool (SRT) or Make an appointment to meet with a CalWORKs Counselor with your Official High School Transcripts
  3. Enroll in at least one (1) class. Credit or Non-Credit
  4. Make a one (1) hour In-Take Appointment with a CalWORKs Counselor (make sure to bring with you all county paperwork)
  5. Attend a CalWORKs New Student Success Orientation (Early Alert Program Orientation)

  • County Referral (if applicable):
    • Los Angeles County:
      • GN6006
      • County Vocational  Assessment (if applicable)
    • Orange County:
      • Welfare to Work Referral
  • Proof of Cash-Aid 
    • Verification of Benefits
  • All transcripts from other colleges/universities (if applicable)
  • A completed New Student Intake Form
  • Any additional County Paperwork that needs to be completed (i.e. Childcare/Training Verification Form)

The CalWORKs program has established an Early Alert Program (EAP) to guide students through their educational process. The goal is to help students obtain a better understanding of the requirements and resources that Cerritos College offers in order to obtain a Certificate of Achievement, Associate of Arts/Science degree, or transfer to achieve a higher education.

As part of the CalWORKs and Early Alert Program (EAP), students are required to attend a one-on-one New Student Success Orientation to maintain early enrollment, where staff will go over on/off campus resources and college/county requirements.

Since COVID, we have had a few departmental transitions and county updates. For that reason, we have updated our New Student CalWORKs Orientation to include a "Virtual" or "Online" component, which allows you to learn more about our amazing program as well as your rights and benefits on your own terms and timeline. (see attached presentation - that includes link for gas card, link is here as well: https://forms.office.com/r/g6ahz3wfMQ for your reference)

All students who complete the virtual, in-person, or online orientation will be eligible for a CalWORKs gas card! 

Welcome to the CalWORKs program!

As part of your new student intake process, you are required to attend 3 additional sessions with us AFTER your new student intake appointment.  

  • Educational Plan with a counselor
  • New Student Orientation with the Program Facilitator or a self-guided online quiz 
  • Material Allowance/Reimbursement (optional)