EOPS and CARE

Meet Online with EOPS via Starfish (Current EOPS Students Only)

Welcome to EOPS

Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS) is here to assist you in making your college experience successful. Getting through college is not an easy task, especially when you try to do it alone! Since 1969, EOPS has been a California state funded program that provides an accessible and rewarding college experience to low income students facing various barriers to academic success. We provide a support network of West Valley EOPS counselors, dedicated staff and fellow students to help you stay focused on your educational path and reach your goals more quickly. If you meet academic and financial eligibility requirements, you may qualify for the broad range of support services and opportunities offered by our program.

Apply Now for Fall 2025

High School Student Interest Form

NextUp is a new program at West Valley College that provides extra services for foster and former foster youth who were in foster care at least one day after their 13th birthday. NextUp offers services that will help you stay in school so you can realize your educational goal.

Learn More

EOPS Benefits

First-day Priority Registration
Academic, career, and personal Counseling
Book Grants for required textbooks for WVC Classes
University transfer process assistance and UC/CSU application fee waivers
EOPS Grants (funding permitted)
Assistance with scholarship applications and letters of recommendations
Study area with computers, and printer
EOPS student success workshops, activities and campus tours
Basic school and test supplies
Graphing calculator loans
Additional services and referrals to community services

CARE Benefits

CARE Services available for eligible single parents receiving TANF:

Additional financial assistance for books, school supplies, transportation and meals
CARE grants and academic achievement grants (dependent upon state funding)
Workshops for single parents
Opportunities to create support networks
Assistance with social service issues

EOPS Eligibility and General Requirements

EOPS is open to full-time students who are considered low-income and educationally disadvantaged and facing various barriers to success. You will need to qualify by both income standards and educational background standards.

To qualify for EOPS you must:

Be a California resident. AB540 students are eligible to apply.
Be enrolled as a full-time student at West Valley (minimum of 12 units, with exceptions considered for students with a verified disability)
Have fewer than 70 units of degree applicable college credits

Financial Disadvantage

Be identified as having an economic and educational disadvantage by qualifying for either:

The California College Promise Grant Program (formerly Board of Governors Fee Waiver Program) – Refer to table below for income standards
TANF, SSI or General Assistance

Education Disadvantage

Be educationally disadvantaged as defined by state guidelines by meeting one of the following criteria:

Not qualified for enrollment into the minimum level English or mathematics course that is applicable to the associate degree at West Valley College
Did not graduate from high school or obtain the General Education Diploma (GED).
Graduated from high school with a grade point average below 2.50 on a 4.00 scale
Previously enrolled in remedial education.
Other factors determined by the EOPS Director, using state guidelines

Steps to Apply for EOPS at West Valley College

Apply to West Valley College
Complete and submit the West Valley College EOPS Application
Register for a West Valley College Orientation (or show completion from another college if transferring to West Valley)
Complete the application for the California College Promise Grant Program (formerly Board of Governors Fee Waiver Program)
Complete and submit the West Valley College EOPS Application
Transcripts are required from previous colleges for eligibility purposes. Unofficial transcripts are accepted.
One of our helpful staff will review your application and let you know your eligibility.
You are welcome to use EOPS computers to complete your application and print required documentation.

If you are eligible for EOPS, you will be required to attend an EOPS New Student Orientation prior to the beginning of each semester.

If you are a single parent receiving TANF or CalWorks, you may be eligible for our CARE program. Talk to the staff person assisting you with your EOPS application for more information.

2024-25 California College Promise

Grant Type B Income Standards

Family Size (including yourself)	Base Year Income (adjusted gross income and/or untaxed income)
1	$21,870
2	$29,580
3	$37,290
4	$45,000
5	$52,710
6	$60,420
7	$68,130
8	$75,840
Each additional family member	$7,710

5CCR § 58620: Student (dependent or independent) household income in the prior year equal to or less than 150% of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines for a family of that size.

5CCR § 58620(b)(1)(F): For purposes of this subdivision, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines used each year shall be the most recently published guidelines immediately preceding the academic year for which a fee waiver is requested.

See US Department of Health and Human Services for more information.

EOPS Services

EOPS Counseling Services

An EOPS counselor is available for EOPS students after the student is accepted into the program. Our counselors provide personal, academic, and career counseling. EOPS students are required to meet with their EOPS counselor three times each semester.

First-day Priority Registration

EOPS is one of the groups that are given priority registration over all other students. Priority registration happens in Fall and Spring semesters. To be eligible, students must complete a campus orientation and have a Student Education Plan (SEP) on file.

Referrals to Tutorial Services

EOPS Counselors can assist you in determining your tutorial needs and assist you in getting services at the campus Tutorial Center. The Net Tutor Online Tutoring Program provides 24/7 services for all WVC students.

Transfer Services

Students receive counseling and advisement that helps to ensure a successful transition to the four-year college or university of your choice. Our counselors work closely with you to make sure you are on track to transfer. We also sponsor university campus visits to learn more about student life at the university. EOPS students are eligible for up to four UC/CSU application fee waivers.

Workshops

EOPS offers various student success workshops, activities, and opportunities each semester. Workshops are offered based on student feedback and include sessions on Managing Stress, Test Taking, Note Taking, Time Management, Study Skills, and Transfer Preparation.

Study Area and Computer Lab

We have a study area exclusively for EOPS students equipped with computers and printer.

Letters of Recommendation

We get to know our students throughout their time with EOPS. Our counselors and staff are a resource for letters of recommendation. Please review the short video on how, why and when to ask for letters of recommendation.

Financial Services

EOPS Book Funds

EOPS Book Funds are provided to students in the form of an EOPS Book Fund Grant. EOPS Book Funds amount varies depending on program funding. Funds are provided for fall and spring semesters to students who:

have completed an EOPS New Student Orientation (new EOPS Students)
attend a Welcome Back Session (continuing students) or complete their first EOPS Contact
signed an EOPS Mutual Responsibility Contract
are progressing academically.

First Day EOPS Book Fund Grant

EOPS New Student Orientation (new students) sessions and a Welcome Back session (continuing students) are scheduled prior to the start of the semester in time to be awarded a First Day EOPS Book Fund Grant. Students who don’t make those sessions will receive their grant later in the semester after they have attended an EOPS New Student Orientation (new students) or completed a first contact (continuing students).

EOPS Book Funds are meant to purchase required textbooks for classes that you are enrolled in during the current semester.

NOTE: West Valley College no longer has a bookstore on campus. Barnes and Noble is now a virtual bookstore. See more information.

Create a Course Materials List

Creating a Course Materials list will allow you to determine what you need to buy, what you can borrow from the WVC library, and to find the least expensive options online. Students can search for their required texts and materials online through the virtual bookstore.

EOPS End of Term Grant

EOPS End of Term Grants may be offered in semesters when funding permits. To be eligible students must meet the requirements of the EOPS Mutual Responsibility Contract, including three counseling contacts with an EOPS Counselor.

Basic School and Test Supplies

EOPS keeps basic school supplies on hand for students in need. Notebooks, pens, pencils, binders, blue books, and scantrons are available at the front desk.

EOPS End-of-Term Grant

EOPS End-of-Term Grants may be offered in semesters when funding permits. To be eligible for this grant, students must meet the requirements of the EOPS Mutual Responsibility Contract, including three counseling contacts.

University Application Fee Waivers

EOPS students are eligible for up to four UC/CSU application fee waivers. Private school applications and additional waivers are considered on a case-by-case basis. Meet with your counselor before you are ready to begin the application process.

Commencement Regalia

Cap and gowns are provided for students who participate in the WVC Graduation, Transfer and Certificate ceremony. Inform your counselor you plan to participate in the ceremony.

Goal Completion Celebration

We honor our students who have met their WVC education goals at an evening celebration. This is a special night in May where students and their families are celebrated for goal attainment, including degree awarded, transfer requirements completed, and certificates earned.

Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE)

Open the door to opportunities with CARE

CARE is a program designed to help single-parent students succeed in college. Because we realize that attending college and being a single-parent can pose many challenges, we will help you to achieve your educational goals.

CARE Eligibility

Receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Be a single-parent, head-of-household, as determined by social services

CARE Benefits

CARE Grants
Academic, Career and Personal Counseling
Referrals to on and off campus resources
Transportation Assistance

EOPS/CARE Staff

Call (408) 741-2023 or stop by the EOPS office to schedule.

DACA Resources

California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley Issues Statement on Supreme Court Ruling that Continues DACA
First Generation College Student Guidebook – This is a helpful guidebook for those that identify as First Generation College Students (FGCS) and provides tips and tools to succeed in the higher education environment.
CCCCO Resources for Undocumented Students – This website on the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office site provides information for Undocumented students.
West Valley Financial Aid provides numerous links to campus and local information for Undocumented students.

Important Dates for Fall 2025

Fall 2025 Semester: August 23 – December 12

Date	Event
Saturday, August 23	First day of classes
Sunday, September 7	Last day to ADD a semester-length class
Sunday, September 7	Last day to DROP a semester-length class without a “W” and with a refund
Saturday, September 20	Deadline to Petition for AA-T/AS-T Degrees for Fall 2025 Transfer
Saturday, September 20	Deadline to Petition for Fall 2025 graduation
Friday, November 14	Last day to DROP a semester-length class with a “W”
Last day of instruction before finals	Deadline to submit Pass/No Pass grading option for full-term classes
Saturday, December 6 – Friday, December 12	Final Exams

Short-Term Classes

Last day to ADD short-term classes	15% of total meeting days
Last day to DROP short-term classes without a "W"	10% of total meeting days
Last day to DROP a short-term class with a "W"	75% of total meeting days
Deadline to submit Pass/No Pass grading option for short-term classes	Last day of instruction before finals

Campus Offices Open (Non-Instructional Days)

Date	Event
August 22	All College Day

Campus Closed (Non-Instructional Days)

Date	Event
September 1	Labor Day
November 10	Veteran’s Day Holiday
November 27–29	Thanksgiving Holiday
December 22–31	December Holiday
January 1	New Year’s Day Holiday

Date	Contact
Thursday, September 25	1. Create/Review Education Plan
Thursday, October 30	2. Mid-Semester Progress Meeting
Thursday, December 4	3. Schedule Planning & Review for Next Semester

Day	Hours
Monday	9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday	9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday	9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday	9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday	9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Welcome to EOPS

Office Hours