Who We Are

South County Cal-SOAP is a pre-college program that helps low-income and first-generation students go to college. We assist students, kindergarten through college, navigate every aspect of their educational journey, offering academic advising, financial aid awareness, tutoring, college tours, and more. Through these services, we equip the students least likely to enter college with the tools and knowledge they need to attain their academic goals.

Main Office Location

Gilroy High School
750 W. 10th Street
Gilroy, CA 95020

Virtual Hours

Mon–Thu: 7:30 am–4:30 pm
Fri: 7:30 am–4:00 pm

Phone Number

(408) 780-8486

Email

southcountycalsoap@gmail.com

Student Testimonials

“South County Cal-SOAP was my home, a place to go when I was sad, happy, or needed any support. Cal-SOAP was my go-to place in high school... Being a part of Cal-SOAP opened up my eyes to what I can actually do beyond high school, that there was more to life and a purpose for everyone, no matter who you are. I grew up in Cal-SOAP and will forever cherish this place and the people I met along the way. I am almost done with my degree and it will all be worth it."

— Bianca Andrade
“I graduated from San Benito High School in Hollister, California, and am now attending McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois. I chose McKendree University because I received a wrestling scholarship. I knew I wanted to continue wrestling in college, so I started researching all the colleges that provided women’s wrestling. South County Cal-SOAP helped me with applying to the schools, told me I needed to take the SAT/ACT tests, and helped with getting all of my other paperwork together. Since I am the oldest in my family, I did not have an older brother or sister guiding me through the process, so I did lean on my Cal-SOAP Advisors and high school advisers during this time.”

— Sally Chavez
“Being a first-generation student, going to college is hard. Since my elders have never had the college experience they just assume and make it seem as if it’s easy, but it’s not; it’s like walking onto a plank blindfolded, without having your family there to lead you. You have no other choice but to ask for help from those around you. College programs like Cal-SOAP helped me to get where I am today. Without them, I would have no idea where I would be.”

— Maria Marquez
 

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