Programs and Services

Over half of former foster youth end up homeless, incarcerated, or on welfare.

Compass For Youth provides a range of services for the community we serve. Learn more about our four unique approaches to getting foster care youth into college!

High School Compass Scholars (HSCS)

High School Compass to College works with high school aged youth in group or foster homes throughout California. Our education program administers one-on-one assistance for every phase of their academic career by:

• Helping the youth we work with navigate the financial aid and application processes
• Offering SAT/ACT tutoring and ensuring that youth are prepared for college-level courses
• Providing academic counselors and communicating with current high school counselors
• College tours and accommodation
• Securing housing at their prospective universities
• One on one virtual skype counseling
• A-G Requirement assessments
• Drafting and outlining personal statements and college essays
• Obtaining fee waivers for applications
• Connecting students to undergraduate research opportunities (something colleges look favorably upon)
• Community college placement if ineligible for a university at the time of graduation
• Applying youth for extended foster care if necessary

Community College Compass Scholars (CCCS)

Community College Compass Scholars works with traditional age (18-25-year-old) community college students that are former foster care youth. Our program administers:

• Navigation assistance for the financial aid and application processes
• Providing academic counselors
• College tours and accommodation
• Securing housing at their prospective universities
• One on one virtual skype counseling
• Drafting and outlining personal statements and college essays
• Obtaining fee waivers for applications
• Connecting students to undergraduate research opportunities (something colleges look favorably upon)
• A partnership connection to the UCLA Field Biology Alliance to facilitate field research for our STEM Scholars
• Applying youth for extended foster care if necessary

A campus tour at UCLA

Graduate Preparation Scholars (GPS)

Graduate Preparation Scholars works with university and community college students that are former foster care students with the goal of entering graduate-level Masters, JD, and Ph.D. programs. While only about 3% of foster care youth graduate college, very few pursue advanced degrees. Our program administers:

• Facilitating interviews and outreach to potential graduate advisors
• Navigation assistance for the financial aid and application processes
• Providing academic counselors and personal mentors
• College tours and accommodation
• Drafting and outlining personal statements and college essays
• Connecting students to undergraduate research opportunities
• A partnership connection to the UCLA Field Biology Alliance to facilitate field research for our STEM Scholars

First Original Research Presentation!

Non-Traditional Compass Scholars (NTCS)

Non-Traditional Compass Scholars works with non-traditional age community college students that are former foster care scholars. Many other programs stop offering services to youth over 25. Compass believes being in care still has an impact on these youth and their trajectories later in life. Our program administers:

• Navigation assistance for the financial aid and application processes
• Providing academic counselors
• College tours and accommodation
• Securing housing at their prospective universities
• One on one virtual skype counseling
• Drafting and outlining personal statements and college essays
• Obtaining fee waivers for applications
• Connecting students to undergraduate research opportunities (something colleges look favorably upon)
• A partnership connection to the UCLA Field Biology Alliance to facilitate field research for our STEM Scholars