EOPS FAQs

Prospective EOPS Students

EOPS stands for the Extended Opportunity Program and Services, and we offer enhanced programs and services to support economically and educationally disadvantaged students.

As an EOPS student, you get the following services/benefits:

  • Priority Registration
  • Access to Academic Counselors (exclusive to EOPS students)
  • EOPS Grants
  • Book and Calculator Loans (Lending Library)
  • Tutoring for Math, Writing and Science (exclusive to EOPS students)
  • Events & Workshops…and more!

There are five eligibility requirements to join EOPS (see below). But don’t worry - once you submit your interest in joining, we’ll determine if you are eligible.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

  1. Be a California resident or AB 540 eligible.
  2. Be enrolled in 12 or more units upon acceptance into the program*                 
    *Lower unit enrollment is permitted for students participating in the SAS program at Cerritos College, formerly                                                                                             
    known as Disabled Students Programs & Services (DSPS).
  3. Have completed less than 40* units across all colleges/universities*                         
    *If you are a high unit major (such as STEM Majors, Nursing, Business), it is less than 60 units).
  4. Complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the California Dream Act Application, and qualify for the California College Promise Grant (previously the Board of Governors Fee Waiver) under Method A or B.
  5. Be Educationally Disadvantaged, as defined in at least one of the following ways:
  • Be a first-generation college student;
  • The primary language in your home is/was non-English;
  • Not have graduated from high school or obtained a General Education Diploma (GED);
  • Graduated from high school with a grade point average below 2.50;
  • You do not qualify for enrollment in the minimum level English or Math course applicable to the associate degree;
  • Have previously enrolled in remedial education;
  • You are currently or were a foster youth;
  • You are a member of an underrepresented group residing in the immediate service area.

EOPS admission is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. During the enrollment period for each semester, you can submit an online EOPS Interest Form to verify their eligibility. We will contact you within 5 days or less to let you know if you are eligible to join; eligible students will receive an invitation to attend an EOPS orientation.

The fours steps to joining EOPS are:

  • Step 1: Complete & submit the online EOPS Interest Form
  • Step 2: Attend an EOPS Orientation
  • Step 3: Complete the EOPS Application & Mutual Responsibility Contract
  • Step 4: Schedule and complete your 1st New EOPS Student Counseling Appointment

YES! You can be a student in multiple programs at the college. We encourage students to get involved and take advantage of everything Cerritos College has to offer.

Current EOPS Students

There are three EOPS appointment deadlines, one for the 1st appointment, one for the 2nd appointment, and one for the 3rd appointment. To determine the EOPS appointment deadlines for each semester visit the EOPS Important Dates on the EOPS/CARE website or you can view the due dates on your Student Center under your To Do List.

Students are allowed to submit their Work-In-Progress form online 2 weeks before the start of second appointments. Review the Work-In-Progress (WIP) Report form, the submission link will be hyperlinked on the form. The purpose of your second EOPS appointment is to ensure you are succeeding adequately, that programs and services are being provided effectively, and to plan changes as may be needed to enhance your success based on your work-in-progress report.

If you miss one of your required three appointments, we urge you to reschedule immediately before the deadline date if possible. If you fail to meet with a counselor prior to the deadline date of any of the three appts, you will NOT be given credit for that specific appointment you missed. However, you can still meet and complete your remaining contacts with a counselor. It's important to note, if you miss an appointment, you will be placed on Early Warning for the following semester and will not be eligible to receive the EOPS Completion Grant the following semester when it is offered.

Yes, EOPS provides support services to assist EOPS students in meeting their educational goals, including transferring. Support services include transfer application workshops, transfer counseling, university tours, and letters of recommendation.

Yes, the EOPS program offers scholarships. To apply visit the Cerritos College Foundation website. The deadline for each semester varies.
EOPS Alumni

You can donate to the Cerritos College EOPS program through the Cerritos College Foundation Donation website or contact the Foundation Office at (562) 860-2451 ext. 2539 or foundation-info@cerritos.edu