About
The goal of the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) program is to provide counseling to promote post-secondary education in communities with large populations of low-income, first-generation adults who are often unaware of educational and career opportunities.
Educational counselors assist eligible adults with selecting a post-secondary institution or training program suited to their interests. Counselors also assist clients with the completion of admissions and financial aid applications, scholarship searches, and defaulted student loans. The EOC program provides academic advising and workshops on topics such as: study skills, scholarships, financial aid, financial literacy and career exploration.
History
The Educational Opportunity Center program was designed with the idea in mind that one way to improve an adult’s socioeconomic status is to provide opportunities that will allow for the attainment of a postsecondary education.
The EOC program became a part of TRiO in 1972, with the passing of the Higher Education Act Amendment of 1972. The University of Northern Iowa became the sponsor of the EOC program in 1988.