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TRiO Educational Opportunity Center

 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

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The Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) is a federally funded TRiO program. This program provides counseling and information on college admissions to qualified adults who want to enter or continue a program of post-secondary education. The program also provides services to improve the financial and economic literacy of participants. An important objective of the program is to counsel participants on financial aid options, including basic financial planning skills, and to assist in the application process. The goal of the EOC program is to increase the number of adult participants who enroll in post-secondary education institutions.

 

 

TYPES OF ACTIVITIES/SERVICES

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An Educational Opportunity Center may provide the following activities/services:

• Public information campaigns designed to inform the community about opportunities for post-secondary education and trainings;

• Academic advice and assistance in course selection;

• Assistance in completing college admission and financial aid applications;

• Assistance in preparing for college entrance examinations;

• Education or counseling services designed to improve the financial and economic literacy of participants;

• Guidance on secondary school reentry or entry to a General Educational Development (GED) program or other alternative education program for secondary school dropouts;

• Individualized personal, career, and academic counseling;

• Tutorial services;

• Career workshops and counseling;

• Mentoring programs involving elementary or secondary school teachers, faculty members at institutions of higher education, students, or any combination of these persons;

• Programs and activities described above that are specially designed for participants who are limited English proficient, participants from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in post-secondary education, participants who are individuals with disabilities, participants who are homeless children and youth, participants who are foster care youth, or other disconnected participants; and

• Other activities designed to meet the purposes of the EOC program.

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ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

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Eligible student for the Educational Opportunity Center include:

• Residents of Anderson, Oconee, Pickens, and Greenville counties who are at least 18 years old

• Individuals with low to modest taxable income, according to federal guidelines

• Individuals with parents or legal guardians who did not graduate with a baccalaureate degree (four-year degree) before the applicant reached 18 years old (first generation students)

• Individuals who plan to begin or return to high school, a GED program or a vocational/technical school

• Individuals who plan to begin at a two-year or four-year college

• Veterans, the homeless, and those covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act

 

**Lower income and first generation college students are the target population, however the EOC can usually help those who do not fall into these groups.

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HOW TO APPLY FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITY CENTER

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If you are interested in applying for the TRiO Educational Opportunity Center services, please follow these steps:

 

1. Call our EOC office at 864-653-3835 to schedule an appointment with one of our education advisors.

 

   2. Gather income documentation for your first appointment. Income information is required to determine eligibility for 

       services.

 

All individuals must bring each of these items:

• Current driver's license

• Social Security card

• Most recent federal income tax return

• Documentation of additional income, including food stamps, child support, alimony, and any income not included on your federal tax return

• Current Social Security benefits statement (if you receive Social Security)

• Current disability benefits statement (if you receive disability)

• Current military Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) (if you are military or retired military)

 

All individuals under 24 years old must also bring these items:

• Parents' or guardians' most recent federal income tax return

• Documentation of any additional income received by parents/guardians, including food stamps, child support, alimony, and any income not included on their federal tax return

• Parents' or guardians' most recent Social Security benefits statement (if they receive Social Security)

• Parents' or guardians' most recent disability benefits statement (if they receive disability)

• Parents' or guardians' most recent military LES (if they are military or retired military)

 

The intake process is quick and simple and all services are free-of-charge.

 

 

Click below to submit the registration form electronically. We will contact you to schedule an appointment.