The Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) is designed to provide information regarding financial and academic assistance to qualified adults who desire to pursue a program of postsecondary education. EOC also provides assistance to individuals in applying for admission to institutions that offer programs of postsecondary education, including assistance in preparing necessary applications for use by admissions and financial aid officers.
Services provided by EOC include: academic advice, personal counseling, and career workshops; information on post-secondary education opportunities and student financial assistance; help in completing applications for college admissions, testing, and financial aid; coordination with nearby post-secondary institutions; media activities designed to involve and acquaint the community with higher education opportunities; tutoring; and mentoring.
Eligibility: EOC services are available to adults 19 and older, and high school seniors not served by a Talent Search program, who have an interest in and potential to enter or re-enter a post-secondary training program. Participants must be US citizens (or eligible non-citizens).
Territory: The EOC serves the southern Oklahoma and northern Texas areas from the main office at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma and satellite offices in Ardmore, Idabel, and McAlester, Oklahoma and at Grayson County College in Denison, Texas.
Telephone: (580) 745-2913
Postal address: 425 W. University Blvd., Durant OK 74701
E-mail: tbarnes@se.edu
FAFSA on the Web – Want to apply for a Pell grant? Apply for federal grants and loans on the web. Contact the EOC staff for FREE assistance with filing the FAFSA.
Free Scholarship Search – Why pay for a scholarship search when they are available free on the internet at www.fastweb.com.
Loan Default – Want to go back to school but defaulted on a student loan? Click here to find out more information about rehabilitating your loan and going back to school.
Physicians Manpower Training Commission – Want to be a nurse? This is a financial aid opportunity for those who want to be in the medical profession and agree to stay in the state of Oklahoma after completing their training.
Occupational Outlook Handbook – Want to know more about a career including salary information and training required? From A to Z, all occupations are here.
Teaching Service Cancellation and Loan Deferment Options – Are you a teacher working in a low-income or shortage area subject matter? It may be possible to cancel or defer your federal student loan.
Loan Servicers – Who owns my student loan? Click here for a list of student loan services and contact information.
Choctaw Nation Assistance Programs – Have a CDIB card? If so, check out the Choctaw financial aid opportunities.
Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services – If you have a documented disability or visual impairment, you may qualify for assistance through Vocational Rehabilitation. Click here for support and assistance opportunities when returning to school.
What exactly does EOC do?
EOC is designed to provide information regarding financial and academic assistance available for individuals who desire to pursue a program of postsecondary education. EOC also provides assistance to individuals in applying for admission to institutions that offer programs of postsecondary education, including assistance in preparing necessary applications for use by admissions and financial aid officers.
What population does EOC serve?
EOC targets low-income and first generation adults. 2/3’s of our participants must meet both criteria, 1/3 can be any adult needing EOC services.
What other programs does EOC work with to help participants?
What are the specific services EOC provides?
EOC provides assistance with completing federal financial aid applications, financial aid paperwork needing by schools, admissions paperwork, scholarship searches, and test prep for GED/HiSET, Accuplacer, ACT, and college placement exams. EOCs also provide academic advice, and career assessments, personality assessments, learning styles inventories, financial literacy counseling, and group presentations for those who may be interested in our services.
How many clients are served annually by EOC?
Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s EOC serves 1,620 clients in twelve counties.
Where do EOC participants enroll?
Participants may enroll in adult basic education or GED/HiSET classes, career tech programs/schools, online degree programs, two-year colleges, or four-year universities.
