Educational Opportunity Center

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) is a federally funded educational outreach TRIO program sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and designed to promote postsecondary education to underrepresented populations on college campuses. EOC motivates and assists adults identified as low-income, first-generation college, or an individual with a disability in Milwaukee County who want to begin, resume, or continue their education beyond the secondary level, and eventually earn a Bachelor’s degree.

Brochure (PDF)
Educational Opportunity Center Program
Staff Directory

Eligibility

The EOC program targets students who are interested in continuing their education to the postsecondary level. Each year, EOC serves 1,000 adults from the Milwaukee County community. You are eligible to participate in the program if you are:

  • 19 years of age and older
  • A legal resident of Milwaukee County
  • A citizen or permanent resident of the United States of America
  • A first generation college student (Neither one of your parents has completed a bachelor’s degree at a four year college or university)
  • From a low-income family (Based on the federal low income guidelines)

Adults who enroll in the EOC program are interested in pursuing and completing postsecondary education or are seeking to complete their secondary credential. They include adults in Milwaukee County who want to:

  • Advance their Basic Skills in English, math, and reading, or participate in English Language Learners (ELL) programs
  • Obtain high school credentials such as the:
    • General Education Diploma (GED)
    • High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED)
    • Adult High School Certificate (AHS)

Or:

  • Need information about how to resolve issues related to a student loan default
  • Need assistance with the college admissions and financial aid application process
  • Need information and advising about:
  • Career exploration and planning,
  • College selection and admissions information,
  • Financial aid to pay for college
  • Need assistance to re-enroll in college or transfer from a two year to a four year college

Registration

If you are 19 years of age and older and a Milwaukee County resident, you are eligible to apply for EOC services. Special consideration for admission into the program is given to applicants who are economically disadvantaged and have parents or guardians who did not graduate from a four year college.

Educational Opportunity Center Application

Policies & Fees

  • All EOC services are FREE to participants.
  • The Educational Opportunity Center is hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The program is funded by a Federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Trio Programs. Therefore, participants are assisted to apply to and enroll in any educational institution, college, school, agency, training program, or any other postsecondary institution of their choice.
  • Transportation to and from EOC activities is provided. Lunch and admissions fees to select enrichment programs are also provided for eligible participants.
  • Participants are informed about EOC activities by mail. Participation in the academic and computer workshops, college tours, enrichment activities, and annual educational resource fair is encouraged, but may be optional based on personal needs.
  • One-on-one advising and assistance is available to participants by appointment.
  • EOC cannot provide funds to pay for college or any other educational program. However, we can help you access federal, state, and private funds in the form of grants, loans, or scholarships for which you are eligible. We also help you identify other types of unique funds that may be available to you, such as tuition reimbursement benefits that may be available to you through your employer.
  • The Income eligibility requirement for participation in the program is determined based on the annual Federal Income Guidelines at www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/trio/incomelevels.html

FAQ

What services are provided by the EOC Project?

Participants in the EOC program receive educational information, individual advising, and direct assistance with making plans that ultimately help them achieve their educational and career goals.

Qualifying adults who want to enter or continue a program of secondary or postsecondary education receive information, counseling, and assistance with engaging in continuing education opportunities.

EOC staff works with individual participants to assist them to identifying and applying for appropriate educational and occupational training programs at the secondary and postsecondary levels. Participants are also assisted with identifying and applying for the various financial aid resource options, such as grants and loans, and are kept informed about scholarship opportunities.

As part of their college preparation program, participants are exposed to college campus life through college tours, enrichment activities and field trips. In addition, EOC works to support students’ success by conducting informational workshops on a variety of college preparation and retention topics such as:

  • Academic Advising
  • Information on Postsecondary Education Opportunities and College Selection
  • Testing Taking Skills and Strategies
  • Financial Aid
  • Career Exploration
  • Study and Time Management Skills and Strategies
  • Financial Management
  • Basic Computer and Internet Skills
  • Tutoring and Mentoring

What do I need to know about financing a College Education

EOC offers the following information and assistance about financing a college education:

  • Understanding the financial aid process, college tuition and fees, budgeting for college, and finding your college’s financial aid office and advisor.
  • Identifying a portfolio of state, local, and private funds, such as, grants, scholarships, loans, student work study programs and military enlistment or armed forces reserves participation benefits that you may qualify for to pay for your education.
  • Completing and electronically filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Reconciling defaulted student loans for school re-entry.
  • Financial Literacy and Money Management Workshops.

For specific information about tuition costs and the financial aid process at area colleges, universities, and technical schools, call our office at (414) 229-2917

How can EOC help me make satisfying decisions about successfully achieving my Future Career Goals?

The type of college and major you select is critical to the success of your career goals. Therefore your investment in your education must be well thought out. Knowing who you are and what you want to do in the future is very important. EOC will help you explore your career interests in relation to your educational options:

  • Through individual and group workshops on educational and career development topics.
  • Using a variety of self-assessment instruments that match your career interest and personal preferences and aptitude.
  • Educating you about the different types of colleges that offer educational programs related to your career interests.
  • Identifying future job market trends, wage forecasts, professional development associations, and other pertinent information on your selected career choice(s).

How can EOC help me make satisfying continuing Education Choices?

We all know that education is an important key to advancement but the choices are many and complicated sometimes. How do we as adults make the best educational choices for personal success?

EOC staff recognizes that adult students have multiple roles, responsibilities, and individual needs. Making the choice to return to school is difficult and educational choices are complicated by the need to work, take care of a family, and other responsibilities. Therefore, to help you take that big step, EOC provides assistance with:

  • Pursuing a college degree by helping you select an appropriate school with the degree or educational program and schedule that works for individual needs and future career goals. You will receive assistance with completing the college admissions requirements.
  • Identifying and understanding financial aid resources and completing the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
  • Complete high school by helping you contact and enroll in an Adult Basic Skills program. We assist you identifying legitimate GED preparation programs and testing sites in Milwaukee County.
  • Assistance with transferring from a two year to a four year college or university.
  • Information about how to resolve financial aid default issues.
  • Information and support services to help you stay and succeed in school

Who else do we work with to help adults accomplish educational goals?

The Educational Opportunity Center partners with a wide variety community based social service providers, employment agencies, and other organizations to refer and assist clients to meet their educational needs. We work as a referral resource and direct service provider for counselors and other professionals who work with individuals who plan to enroll in secondary and post-secondary education. We also meet with and provide tutoring, college preparation and enrichment activities to Adult Basic Skills and GED instructors. We also work with employers who want to make their staff aware of educational advancement opportunities.

Additional Resources

Partners

Career Exploration: Career Exploration and Assessments

College Exploration & Selection Websites: College Selection and Admissions Assistance

Financial Aid & Management Websites: Financial Aid Advising, Application Assistance

Study Learning Skills Websites: Continuing Education Preparation and Application Assistance

Study Tools

General Education Diploma, Adult Basic Skills, Literacy and Tutoring Classes

Parenting