Just in time for college financial aid season, an access and
opportunity program has come to the county to assist high school
students.
Cal-SOAP, the California Student Opportunity and Access Program,
is setting up camp at San Benito and Anzar high schools, and will
eventually service students as young as fourth grade.
Just in time for college financial aid season, an access and opportunity program has come to the county to assist high school students.
Cal-SOAP, the California Student Opportunity and Access Program, is setting up camp at San Benito and Anzar high schools, and will eventually service students as young as fourth grade.
Unlike other outreach programs, Cal-SOAP’s target population is broader. Students must be from low-income families; or be the first in their family to attend college; or attend school in areas with low eligibility or low college participation rates. SBHS has less than 50 percent of students going to college, said Zenedith Espinoza, Cal-SOAP academic advisor.
Since financial aid is such a big focus and students will begin filling out applications next month, SBHS’ career center will be open until 7 p.m. every Thursday in January and February so parents and students can get help with financial aid applications.
Founded in 1978, Cal-SOAP is designed to increase the number of students attending college. It also improves the flow of information about post-secondary education and financial aid.
“Cal-SOAP is for students who may not have resources available to them,” Espinoza said. Cal-SOAP focuses on college, career, educating both the student and their parents and the financial-aid barrier.
“A lot of students don’t even realize financial aid is out there,” Espinoza said. “We try to provide as much access to info as possible and point students in the right direction.”
Cal-SOAP also provides after-school tutoring and workshops. Eventually, Espinoza said the program will be introduced into middle and elementary schools in the county.
Part of the South County Cal-SOAP, other partners include the University of California, California State University, Gavilan College and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Across the state, Cal-SOAP serves more than 95,000 students.
For more information, call Espinoza at 637-5831, ext. 184 or 185. The career center is located just north of SBHS’ library on Monterey Street.
