Additional Aid & Student Support Services


Home » Financial Aid » Additional Aid & Student Support Services

Cypress College Aid Programs

Charger Experience (Promise) Program / North Orange Promise

Charger Experience (Promise) Program

The Charger Experience (Promise) Program is a collective designed to transform the lives of students through education and economic advancement.  This new program guarantees all eligible Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) seniors one year of free tuition to attend their freshman year at Cypress College, Fullerton College, or North Orange Continuing Education (NOCE).

Educational benefits as a Pledge student at Cypress College, Fullerton College, or North Orange Continuing Education include:

  • Priority registration during freshman year
  • First year tuition-free
  • Opportunities to participate in summer enrichment programs
  • Inclusion in the Guided Pathways initiative, which helps students decide on a major, develop an educational plan, and create a course of study which will guarantee transfer readiness in two years

Students MUST submit a FAFSA or CADAA and must have their financial aid file completed in order to determine eligibility.

For information, please contact the Promise Center at chargerexperience@cypresscollege.edu.

North Orange Promise Scholars Program

The North Orange Promise Scholars program is designed to transform the lives of students through education and economic advancement. Through this new grant program offered by North Orange County Community College District, first-time, full-time students will have access to two years of free tuition (enrollment fees) and student health fees covered. Local residents will have the opportunity to apply and attend any one of our prestigious institutions (Cypress College, Fullerton College, North Orange Continuing Education) to achieve degrees, certifications, or 4-year university transfer goals. The minimum criteria to be eligible for the North Orange Promise grant are as follows:

  • First-time college student
  • Full-time student enrolled in 12 or more units at Cypress College or Fullerton College
  • Complete FAFSA/DREAM application through financial aid assistance
  • High school graduate (or North Orange Continuing Education graduate)
  • Meet California residency requirements or eligible for residency waiver (AB 540)

In addition to receiving grant awards for enrollment and health fees, North Orange Promise Scholars are also eligible to receive a variety of student support services and academic assistance towards pursuing their education and career goals. This includes comprehensive counseling, tutoring services, student organizations centered around cultural identities and professional pathways, supplemental programs and scholarships for veterans, foster youth, disabled students, low-income families and more. Each college campus provides program guidance and opportunities through their Outreach offices.

For more information, please email Charger Experience (Promise) Program at chargerexperience@cypresscollege.edu.

Cypress College Foundation

The Cypress College Foundation offers hundreds of scholarships, as well as emergency assistance and other types of support. The scholarship application is entirely online and is available once a year during the spring semester. All current students will be notified via email when the application is open. While each scholarship has unique criteria, students need only fill out this single application to be considered for ALL Foundation scholarships. Emergency assistance applications are available through the Financial Aid Office. Once screened, the application is sent to the Foundation for final approval.

Please call or email the Foundation Office with any questions.

E: foundation@cypresscollege.edu
T: (714) 484-7126

Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS)

Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) is a state and college funded program designed to assist students with economic, linguistic, and educational challenges (as defined by Title V) enroll and succeed in higher education. Comprehensive support services are provided to promote access to college and once the student is enrolled, to increase retention and/or transfer to four-year universities and colleges.

Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE)

The Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) program is integrated with the EOPS program. CARE offers additional supportive services to EOPS students who are single parents receiving public assistance in order to support their success. The CARE program is the combined effort of three agencies: the Department of Social Services, the Department of Employment and Cypress College. The hope is to break the welfare-dependency cycle by completing college-level educational training programs to become more employable and economically self-sufficient.

California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)

The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program provides services to students who are receiving Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF). Staff are not employed by the Social Services Agency (SSA) but by the North Orange County Community College District as advocates of self-sufficiency through education.

Guardian Scholars

The Cypress College Guardian Scholars Program is available for all current and former foster youth attending the college to ensure their academic, career, and personal success.

Veterans Affairs

The VRC and CCVO are committed to ensuring that military and veteran students successfully make the transition from the military environment to campus life, and are assisted in their progress toward completing their academic degree. The VRC and CCVO also provide opportunities for peer-to-peer support for academics and wellness as well as camaraderie, mentoring, and social networking through active participation in campus and local communities. We welcome volunteers from the veteran student community to work with their fellow veterans as mentors to assist them in achieving a successful academic experience.

Cypress College Support Services (on-campus)

Academic Counseling

Students may want to meet with an academic counselor for help with developing a Comprehensive Educational Plan to ensure they’re taking the right courses to complete their major. Counselors are located throughout the campus and work primarily with certain majors; they are specialists in their academic and vocational area while providing educational planning, career development, and personal counseling.  You may meet with any counselor, but ideally meet with one who specializes in your major or field of interest.

Disability Support Services (DSS)

Students with verifiable disabilities that affect the learning environment are eligible and encouraged to apply to Disability Support Services. Learn more about DSS, eligibility and services available.

Food Pantry

In a collective effort to help students focus more on their academic success and less on where their next meal is coming from, all currently enrolled Cypress College students may utilize our Food Pantry’s free services throughout the academic year.

The Cypress College Food Pantry aims to address the basic needs of our students by consistently distributing food, receiving donations, educating the campus community about food insecurity issues, and collaborating with various partners to connect students with additional resources both on and off campus.

Grads to Be

The Grads to Be Program at Cypress College is a safe space with supportive staff aimed at providing a variety of services and resources for undocumented students at Cypress College. Whether you are just starting your journey at Cypress or you have been a continuing student, we are here to help you flourish and cultivate a sense of belonging on campus. We are inclusive of every students’ experience and take a holistic approach in the services we provide. Our goal is to help you realize your academic, professional and personal success.

Tutoring

Tutorial Services are free of charge to currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff through the Learning Resource Center (LRC).

Additional Support Services (off-campus)

CalFresh

CalFresh is a California financial aid program that awards up to $250 a month to helps students buy food and eat healthier. It won’t affect your financial aid and you don’t need your parent’s tax return information to apply.

It takes just a couple of minutes to check your eligibility and apply. You’ll get a call from CalFresh in a couple of days to verify your situation. If approved, you’ll get money within 30 days.

AmeriCorps (service-based aid)

The mission of AmeriCorps is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. The time commitment varies depending on program. Generally, AmeriCorps service commitments range from three months to one year and have full time and part-time opportunities. A few of the benefits from serving include:

Living Allowance

Receive a modest living allowance to cover basic expenses during your service term.

Money for College

The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award is offered to individuals who complete a term of service and can be used to pay for a range of educational expenses, like repaying qualified student loans or future tuition payments. You can earn up to two full Education Awards with multiple service terms.

Loan Deferment and Interest Forbearance

Individuals in approved AmeriCorps positions are eligible for forbearance for most federally-guaranteed student loans. In addition, interest payments that accrue during service may be eligible for repayment by AmeriCorps.

DSIG (Dream Act Service Incentive Grant) Program (service-based aid)

The California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program (DSIG) encourages California Dream Act Application (CADAA) students with a Cal Grant B award to perform community or volunteer service.  The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will award up to $3,000 per academic year (up to $1,500 per semester or up to $1,000 per quarter) to 2,500 eligible students. The grant will be available to the student for up to 8 semesters or up to 12 quarters while they have an active Cal Grant B award. Students must also meet Satisfactory Academic Progress and complete any necessary verification for their Cal Grant B award.