The Cabrillo Advancement Program (CAP) is a scholarship and support initiative aimed at boosting academic success among selected students and preparing them for college. CAP offers college scholarships to sixth graders from Santa Cruz County schools. Participants receive $3,000 when they graduate from high school for their first and second year at Cabrillo. CAP also provides comprehensive support to its recipients, including supplemental counseling, after-school tutoring, Saturday Academies, guest speakers, a Summer Institute, family outreach, and academic support.

CAP was launched in 1991 with the selection of twelve sixth-grade students from EA Hall Middle School as the first CAP Scholars. CAP has since expanded to Branciforte Middle School, Lakeview Middle School, Mission Hill Middle School, Pajaro Middle School, Rolling Hills Middle School, and Shoreline Middle School.