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Aerial view of Pepperdine's Malibu campus

Horizon Scholars Program

Current and Former Foster Youth Student Support

The Pepperdine Horizon Scholars Program supports current and former foster youth students at all five Pepperdine schools in fulfilling their goals and dreams in higher education. Our dedicated professionals offer services that encourage students to become self-supporting, successful professionals; conscious community leaders; and role models for other young people.

Program Services

  Financial Aid

Complete the FAFSA early. The FAFSA determines your eligibility for Federal need-based aid each academic year. Financial assistance may be available including grants, academic and departmental scholarships, and student Federal Direct Loans. Explore the financial aid page for more information.

Private scholarships may be available for foster youth students who have aged out of the state foster care system. We suggest all students apply for 10-15 outside foundation scholarships beginning in grade 12 and continuing each month through their college career. For scholarship information, please select your school of choice below to view outside scholarship opportunities and search engines.

Seaver College (Undergraduate) 

Caruso School of Law

Graduate School of Education and Psychology 

Graziadio Business School

School of Public Policy

  Academic Advising

We partner with all five schools to direct Horizon Scholars to their respective academic advising services and resources at their campus.

Seaver College (Undergraduate) 

Caruso School of Law

Graduate School of Education and Psychology 

Graziadio Business School

School of Public Policy

  Career Services

We partner with all five schools to direct Horizon Scholars to their respective career services and resources at their campus.

Seaver College (Undergraduate) 

Caruso School of Law

Graduate School of Education and Psychology 

Graziadio Business School

School of Public Policy

  Wellness

We partner with the University's health, wellness & resilience initiative, RISE (Resilience-Informed Skills Education) Program to offer 8 weeks of community building and education every semester to all Horizon Scholars.

  Community Events

We share a calendar with all program members so that we can attend Pepperdine events together as a community.

  Summer Bridge to College Leadership Program

The Summer Bridge to College Leadership Program is a four-week, residential summer bridge program for first-generation or highly qualified incoming students who can benefit from an early introduction to the opportunities and rigors of higher education. Components of the Summer Bridge Program include mentoring, leadership development, individualized learning support, study skills workshops, career development, and social activities designed to support the transition to college and academic life at Pepperdine.

Additionally, scholars will take a general education course that enables them to experience the pace and rigor of a college class. Students will receive guidance on how to access and take advantage of all resources available to support them during their time at Pepperdine. By easing the transition to college life, the Bridge to College Leadership Program will supply students with the tools needed to thrive in college, developing them as leaders on campus and beyond.

  Pepperdine First Wave Program

In an effort to better support and serve this unique population, the First Wave program offers resources and tools to help first-generation students thrive throughout their academic journey at Seaver College. Students that identify as being first-generation are invited to attend our events, utilize the resources outlined on this page, and connect with faculty, staff, and administrators to gain key insights into the tools necessary for academic success.

  AmeriCorps Program

The CA Foster Youth Initiative utilizes AmeriCorps members as Youth Mentors to assist foster youth in achieving academic success and developing life skills necessary for a successful transition to adulthood. AmeriCorps members build a meaningful relationship with foster youth and together they work on goal-oriented tasks to catalyze the social, emotional, cognitive, and identity development of the youth. Students in the Horizon Scholars Program should sign up for AmeriCorps here

 

Program Partners


Contact Us

Email:
horizonscholars@pepperdine.edu 

Address:
24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90263

Program Director: Deborah Armstrong

Program Eligibility

  Required Qualifications / Documentation

All foster youth are welcome. Legal documentation from the court system or state foster agency will be required for acceptance into the program. Such documentation must contain the student’s name, birthdate, date when placed in the state foster care system, and end date of foster care. Additional requirements must be met upon acceptance to the program.

All qualifications will be reviewed by the program director. Further details will be explained to individual students after they are approved for the program. 

  Tier Placement

All foster youth are welcome. Legal documentation from the court system or state foster agency will be required for acceptance into the program. Such documentation must contain the student’s name, birthdate, date when placed in the state foster care system, and end date of foster care. Additional requirements must be met upon acceptance to the program.

All qualifications will be reviewed by the program director. Further details will be explained to individual students after they are approved for the program. 
Tier Placement
Based on the facts presented in the student’s documents, a student will be placed in either Tier 1 or Tier 2.

Tier 1: Students who were in the state foster care system at high school graduation or after will receive support services and may receive loan forgiveness.

Tier 2: Students who were in the state foster care system for any given amount of time but did not age out of the system will receive support services.

 

Program Highlight