Educational Opportunity Centers Program (EOC)

Background
The Educational Opportunity Centers Program (EOC) is administered by the Employment and Training Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education. The EOC Program aims to provide information regarding financial and academic assistance for qualified individuals pursuing postsecondary education. It also assists in applying for admission to educational institutions and enhances financial and economic literacy among participants.

Grant Details
The EOC Program supports counseling and assistance for low-income, first-generation, and other priority adults (age 19 and older) seeking to enter or return to postsecondary education. Projects must deliver personalized guidance on admissions, financial aid, and economic literacy while expanding accessible pathways including Registered Apprenticeships and high-quality short-term postsecondary programs. All projects must serve a minimum of 850 participants annually with an annual per-participant cost not exceeding $280. The program encourages proposals that include career exploration, hands-on assistance with applications, workshops comparing costs and benefits of pathways, tutoring, and coordination with state workforce agencies.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, public or private agencies or organizations (including community-based organizations), secondary schools (including charter schools), or combinations thereof. There is no requirement for cost sharing or matching funds.

Period of Performance
The project period is set for 60 months.

Grant Value
$52,611,659 total value; individual award range: $238,000 - $3,000,000; maximum award: $1,300,000 for non-state-level applicants; $3,000,000 for designated state-level applicants.

Place of Performance
The specific geographic locations are not detailed in the provided document.