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Educational Opportunity Center

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Since 1988, Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) has helped thousands of Twin Cities adults access postsecondary education, both technical and college-based programs.

We help our participants get started, guiding them through the postsecondary application and acceptance process. We coach them on their way through the student financial aid system. We work with some to figure out their educational and career direction.

Do you want to go to college or a career technical program? Do you need help achieving these goals?

Applying for admission to college or technical school.
Submitting a FAFSA and other forms to receive student financial aid.
Exploring postsecondary education and considering career options.
Planning for postsecondary education, including financially.
Group presentations! Contact us if you would like us to present to your group about pursuing postsecondary education and receiving financial aid.
To join the EOC Wednesday Zoom Drop-Ins, visit the ZOOM link.

You have come to the right place! EOC SERVICES ARE FREE!

Contact EOC today to make an appointment with one of our advisors

Directly by email
By calling us at 612-659-6543

Program Information

MN Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) is a FREE educational outreach program that helps eligible adults in Minnesota metro area pursue a college education and/or training. EOC is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Title IV, TRIO programs.

Through EOC you can:

Apply for admission and financial aid
Examine career options
Choose a college or training program
Get referrals to Social Services
Search for scholarships
Resolve student loan issues (for potential students only)
Arrange EOC workshops about pursuing postsecondary education, career decisions, and receiving financial aid.

The Director of Educational Opportunity Center hosted by Minneapolis College is Nardos Senbeta. Please contact her if your organization would like to integrate EOC into the services that your participants receive.

Educational Opportunity Center exists to serve low-income, first-generation college individuals who are pursuing postsecondary education. Two-thirds of our participants must meet federal guidelines regarding income level and parents’ educational level.

The program is grant funded and must document participant services to meet the requirements to continue the program.

Services

Postsecondary Admission Assistance
EOC can help you apply to a variety of postsecondary programs, public and private, both traditional college and training programs.

Career Decision Making
At EOC we help you choose a career by looking at your interests, values and personality.

EOC counselors are certified to administer and interpret a variety of career interest questionnaires such as:

Strong Interest Inventory
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
Clifton Strengths Assessment

Financial Aid Assistance
EOC can help you apply for Financial Aid, including completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

To be eligible for government sponsored student aid, you must meet these basic requirements:

Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
Have a valid Social Security number.
Have a High School diploma or a GED certificate.
Demonstrate financial need to receive need-based financial aid.
Meet individual program eligibility requirements and school requirements.

Scholarship Search
Scholarships, like grants, provide money for school that does not usually have to be repaid. But unlike grants, scholarships are often competitive and may have very specific eligibility requirements. Start your scholarship search with the school that you will attend to see what scholarships will be available to you as a student there.

EOC advisors can help begin your scholarship search

Defaulted Student Loans
Being in default on previous student loans can block your financial aid. EOC Advisors can help you address defaulted student loan situations.

Free Adult Education Referral
Educational Opportunity Center refers individuals seeking adult education through enrichment, General Education Diploma (GED), English as Second Language (ESL), academic preparation, and other related programs to Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs.

Start your search for a free adult education contact:

Minnesota Literacy Council (MLC) 1-800-222-1990

In-Person Financial Aid Labs

Financial Aid Help Sessions

Get assistance to complete your FAFSA and the financial aid process!

Tuesday | April 9 | 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. | T.2400
Thursday | May 9 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | T.2901
Monday | May 20 | 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. | T.2901
Tuesday | May 21 | 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. | T.2901
Wednesday | May 22 | 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. | T.2901
Thursday | May 23 | 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. | T.2901
Tuesday | May 28 | 12 p.m.- 4 p.m. | T.2901
Wednesday | May 29 | 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. | T.2901
Thursday | May 30 | 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. | T.2901
Wednesday | June 12 | 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. | T.2901
Tuesday | July 9 | 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. | T.2901

What to bring:

Your and your parents’ Social Security Numbers (if applicable
Your (and your parents’ if applicable) W-2s and Federal Income Tax Return for 2021 (Summer 2024), and 2022 (Fall 2024, Spring 2025)
Your (and your parents’ if applicable) 2021 untaxed income records (Summer 2024), and 2022 (Fall 2024, Spring 2025)
Your (and your parents’ if applicable) current business and investment information, business and farm records, stock, bond and other investment records
Your FAFSA FSA ID (if available) with password and user name
Driver License (if you have one)
Your alien registration or permanent resident card (if not a US citizen)
Your (and your parents’ if applicable) Child Support Documents for 2021 (Summer 2024), and 2022 (Fall 2024, Spring 2025)

For more information, call 612-659-6543

Visit the Student Services Center T.2100 or the TRIO Educational Opportunity Center T.2800 for more details!

Staff Information

Main number: 612-659-6543
Fax number: 612-659-6544
Email

Nardos Senbeta
Director of Educational Opportunity Center | 612-659-6536
Anna Gusovsky
Educational Opportunity Center Advisor | 612-659-6526
Tou Lee
Educational Opportunity Center Advisor | 612-659-6529
Russell Raczkowski
Educational Opportunity Center Advisor | 612-659-6534
Juan Rangel
Educational Opportunity Center Advisor | 612-659-6525
Lindsey Towler
Educational Opportunity Center Coordinator | 612-659-6535
Allison Larson
Educational Opportunity Center Advisor | 612-659-6532

Minnesota EOC Office Locations

Main Office
Minneapolis Community & Technical College
1501 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612-659-6543

Minnesota CareerForce
800 W. Broadway Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55411
612-668-2103
Appt: 612-659-6543

Minnesota CareerForce
2266 2nd Street North
North St. Paul, MN 55109
Appt: 612-659-6543

Ronald Hubbs Center
1030 University Avenue, Suite 108
St. Paul, MN 55104
Appt: 612-659-6543

Saint Paul College
235 Marshall Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55102
Appt: 612-659-6543

Century College
3300 Century Avenue North
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Appt: 612-659-6543

TRIO Educational Opportunity Centers History

TRIO began as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. It has emerged out of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. The Higher Education Amendments of 1972 added the fourth program to the TRIO group by authorizing the Educational Opportunity Centers. Since 1988, Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) has helped thousands of Twin Cities adults access postsecondary education, both technical and college-based programs.

Department of Education Program Description

The Educational Opportunity Centers program provides counseling and information on college admissions to qualified adults who want to enter or continue a program of postsecondary 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 postsecondary education institutions