About the Program

The EOPS Scholars program was launched in 2017 with a small group of EOPS students. In addition to helping those students achieve their academic goals, the project partners are seeking a better understanding of what kinds of support could be most effective with a larger student population.

The project is a partnership between the De Anza College EOPS/CARE Program, the Foothill-De Anza Foundation and foundation donors, initiated by longtime foundation board member Kathleen Santora and her husband, Mark. In its first year, the program provided more than 20 EOPS students with assistance – including grants to cover their expenses for books and materials, supplemental counseling for academics and professional development, and access to emergency funds and food assistance. Participation has nearly doubled since then, with 37 students in 2019-20.

The college is collecting data to determine which of these components have the most impact and might be expanded within EOPS.

On this page you'll find more information for

  • Donors interested in the program
  • Students interested in the program

EOPS scholars group photo 2019

(End-of-year celebration in June 2019 with EOPS Scholars, donors and staff)


Donors: Your Support Makes a Difference

Without the additional support provided through the EOPS Scholars program, I would not have been able to complete my degree at De Anza College and transfer to UC Davis.  I am so excited to pursue my undergraduate degree in biology!

Irais Baez, EOPS Scholar, 2018

Tax-deductible contributions provide essential help in paying for students’ books, instructional materials and other needs. You can donate online by clicking the "Donate Now" button. (When completing the online form, please use the box labeled "Other" to designate your gift for the "EOPS Scholars" program.)

Donate Now

You can read more about this program in the Foothill-De Anza Foundation's annual report. For questions about supporting the project, please contact Dennis Cima, foundation executive director, at 650.949.6231 or cimadennis@fhda.edu 


Students: If You'd Like to Know More

Students interested in the project may contact any member of the EOPS staff. Enrollment opens each spring for the following academic year.

Students participating in this pilot program must have completed at least one year in the De Anza EOPS program and are required to meet other minimum qualifications.  

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