The Dolphin Guardian Scholars (DGS) Program supports and empowers students who are foster youth, adopted, in guardianship or kinship care, and/or have experienced homelessness. Dolphin Guardian Scholars provides services aimed to meet the unique needs of displaced students to improve access, retention and graduation rates.
Complete a Dolphin Guardian Scholars Application Now!
Services
All Current Dolphin Guardian Scholars students are required to meet with a Dolphin Guardians Scholars staff member monthly. Meeting topics will include, but are not limited to housing/ basic needs, campus/ community engagement, academic progress, mental health and wellness, career preparation and exploration, job and internship opportunities, and financial literacy.
Dolphin Guardian Scholars are eligible for the following services:
- Academic assistance
- Career exploration
- Financial literacy education
- Coaching and student leadership development
- Graduate school preparation
- Job and internship preparation and search assistance
- Guidance with housing, scholarships, and community resources
- Mentoring
Program Eligibility
You are eligible for Dolphin Guardian Scholars resources if you meet one of the following criteria:
- Currently in or were in a foster care placement (between ages 0 and 18)
- Currently or previously in guardianship (between ages 0 and 18)
- Currently or previously living with a relative or friend of the family that was not your biological parent (between ages 0 and 18)
- Having been adopted (between ages 0 and 18)
- Currently or previously experienced homelessness (between ages 0 and 18)
New students such as first time freshmen, transfer students, non-traditional adult students, and students that have been previously enrolled at CI are encouraged to apply.
Intake Process
Students interested in joining Dolphin Guardian Scholars must complete an application/intake form. Staff will respond to applications within 2 business days to schedule an intake meeting. Upon completion of the intake meeting, eligible students are invited to attend a Dolphin Guardian Scholars Orientation. At the DGS Orientation, members will meet DGS staff and find out about resources they may be eligible for including priority registration, the DGS living cohort, and educational workshops specific to DGS.
Please contact the Dolphin Guardian Scholars Program at guardianscholars@csuci.edu to get more information.