NextUp Grossmont College

If you've ever been in foster care, this page is for you.

Money for food, gas and books. People who know which hoops to jump through for you.

NextUp at Grossmont College is free, year-round support for current and former foster youth. No essay. No competition. Fill out one form and a real person calls you.

  • Hundreds of dollars in grant money every semester you're enrolled
  • Money to help cover the cost of books
  • Grocery, gas and Target cards
  • Emergency cash when a car breaks or a tooth aches

All you have to do is ask.

Send me the free zine Or call Sam: 619-644-3932

Read this far and we'll mail you one of our mini zines — on courage, happiness, or making smart decisions (28 larger pages, so not that mini). Free, no strings.

Eligible if you've been in foster care any time since your 13th birthday and you're under 26. Or if you belonged to any other college's NextUp program. Not sure? Ask us and we'll check for you.

Antonio Winslow, a NextUp student, smiling outdoors

It encouraged me to keep going, stay focused, and never give up on my academic goals.

Antonio Winslow — Business Administration · CSU East Bay

How to pick the right college

A mostly unbiased guide

The college with the most "yes" answers wins. Here, every answer is yes.

  1. Can you get money for books and life totaling into the hundreds of dollars every semester you're enrolled in courses?

    Yes

  2. Can you get grocery store cards to help ensure you have food at home because, well, you've grown rather fond of eating?

    Yes

  3. Can you get bus and trolley support or gas cards to help save you money?

    Yes

  4. Can you get emergency grant money because cars break, teeth ache, apartment managers demand hefty deposits, and, well, you get the idea?

    Yes

  5. Can you get support to pay for prescription and over-the-counter medications at CVS?

    Yes

  6. Can you get support for prescription glasses, so you can read the white board from the back of the room and textbooks and screens up close?

    Yes

  7. Can you get a Target card for each of the three academic counseling appointments per semester?

    Yes

  8. Can you get a financial aid specialist dedicated to your success, to help ensure you get your money on time and that your questions get answered?

    Yes

  9. Can you meet with academic counselors who have been supporting foster youth in college since before you were in kindergarten?

    Yes

  10. Can you get housing within, say, 21 miles?

    Yes

  11. Do they have your major?

    Ask us

Join Grossmont NextUp, and everything is yes.

Send me the free zine

Students speak

People who were sitting exactly where you are.

Atlas Blue Martinez with their cat on their shoulder
NextUp has been an amazing source of support for me during my time in college. The counselors and directors have provided invaluable advice and resources.
Atlas Blue MartinezLiterature · UC Santa Cruz
Antonio Winslow, smiling outdoors
NextUp has been a great support system for me. It encouraged me to keep going, stay focused, and never give up on my academic goals.
Antonio WinslowBusiness Administration · CSU East Bay
Kaitlyn J. Stowinsky leaning against a stone wall in a Cal State San Marcos sweatshirt, holding her graduation cap
NextUp stood beside me when I couldn’t stand alone. Their support transformed my hardship into strength, belief into achievement, and stands as proof of my resilience and educational growth.
Kaitlyn J. StowinskyMolecular & Cellular Biology · Cal State San Marcos

Who you'll actually talk to

Our academic counselors and NextUp Specialist are experts at jumping through hoops for foster youth — they know which form, which office, which deadline, and who to call. On campus and off. You also get a financial aid specialist whose whole job is making sure your money shows up on time.

Call or text NextUp Specialist Sam Rigby at 619-644-3932. A person answers.

NextUp. Always free.

Say hi. We'll do the rest.

Tell us where to mail your zine, and tell us what you need help with. We'll do everything we can to support your journey — getting into college, getting through it, and getting on to the next step.

Prefer to talk? Call or text Sam Rigby at 619-644-3932.

Four NextUp mini zines on a wooden table: Who will you become? And how?, Be a burden…, Let's talk courage. Your courage., and Happiness Blooms.

Only NextUp staff at Grossmont see this. We don't share it, and we won't add you to any mailing list.

We reply within one business day.

We promise to do all we can to help you reach your goals. Make us prove it.

Send me the free zine

Free zine + free support. One form.

Text us Get the zine