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About EOP&S

In 1969, Senate Bill 164 was enacted into law, establishing Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) within the California Community Colleges system. This action came about as a direct result of the civil rights activities and social unrest witnessed throughout the 1960s. Today, EOPS exists at 116 community colleges in California.

EOP&S is the original and longest-standing educational equity program in California. It is a state-funded program that offers educational support services and monetary awards to students who have been historically excluded and/or underserved due to language, social, economic, and/or educational system barriers and who are often among the first-generation in their families to attend college. The intent, purpose, and resources of the EOP&S Program are directed at assisting EOP&S-eligible participants in achieving their academic, enrollment, retention, transfer, and career goals.

The EOP&S/CARE/NextUp Program and its staff at American River College provide counseling services related to academic, career, and short-term crisis support toward the successful completion of students’ goals and academic objectives. Services provided by the EOP&S Program are meant to be additional services that are above and beyond what the college provides to all students in its general student population.

The program partners with student participants who voluntarily apply to participate for the duration of 70-degree applicable units (unless students are in college-designated high unit majors). The program services intend to reduce the likeliness of a student participant leaving college or not passing courses due to lack of support. The program offers high-touch-level services above and beyond the existing services available to all students at American River College.

The program partners with students who want and need extra support due to one or more of the following factors in their academic/personal profile: college placement results indicate below college-level English or Math placement or ESL courses; or previous enrollment in remedial educational courses; did not graduate from high school and did not complete a GED or high school proficiency test; high school GPA is 2.49 or below; are a first-generation college student (are the first in your family to attend a college/university or to complete a college degree); are a current or former foster youth; are part of BIPOC communities (people of color including, Black, Indigenous, Latine, or Asian communities); English is not the primary language spoken at home.