Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC)
The U.S. Department of Education awarded Virginia State University the Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC) Program grant effective September 30, 2011. The EOC is one of the federal TRiO Programs designed to identify and provide services to individuals from disadvantaged/underrepresented backgrounds. The program serves and assist low-income, first-generation college students and individuals with disabilities.
The VSU EOC will serve 1000 participants annually in the cities of Colonial Heights, Emporia, Hopewell, Petersburg; and the counties of: Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Greensville, Prince George, Surry, Sussex and the United States Combined Army Support Command (CASCOM) and Fort Lee Military Installation. The EOC will provide counseling and educational information to those who desire to enter or re-enter postsecondary education. The goal of the EOC is to help adults enroll in GED programs, and/or pursue education beyond high school.
All program services are FREE and include the following:
- Referrals to Adult Basic Education and GED Classes with the Southside Programs for Adult Continuing Education (SPACE.
- Information about local colleges, universities and Adult Education Center.
- Assistance with college admissions applications and scholarship search.
- Assistance with career planning ü Interest inventories.
- Vocational information.
- Resume’ assistance.
- Assistance completing the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Assistance understanding financial aid, federal and state loan programs.
- Assistance understanding Student Aid Reports (SAR)
Eligible EOC participants:
-
- Must be 18 years and older.
- Desire to continue their education.
- May need to earn a high school diploma.
- Have not earned a bachelor’s degree and have parents who have not completed a bachelor’s degree.
- Are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Must live in the target area listed above and/or
- May be military connected (Veteran, spouse and/or child).