The UNM Educational Opportunity Center Program (EOC-TRIO) is a FREE educational outreach program that helps eligible adults pursue their goals of a college education.
EOC’s goal is to help motivated adults from moderate and low-income families, whose parents did not attend college, enter, re-enter or transfer to a postsecondary education programs (i.e. college.) To achieve this goal, UNM EOC provides a range of services:
EOC provides a range of support for participants wanting to get their GED:
Once a participant has successfully passed a GED study program or passed a practice GED, EOC will provide a waiver to cover the cost of the GED test (while funding is available.)
The process of getting into college can seem overwhelming the first time you go through it. There is so much information, so many steps, and so many details that it is easy to get discouraged if you don't have someone in your corner to guide and encourage you. EOC professional staff are here to help.
One of the major barriers for many people trying to get into college is applying for free financial aid (FAFSA.) An EOC advisor can help you identify what documents you need to fill out the FAFSA, walk you through the process of completing the FAFSA, and then help you find additional grants. Additionally, your advisor will make sure you understand the process so that when you reapply next year, you can do it without help. Your EOC advisor can also work with you on resolving student loan defaults so that you can get back to getting your education.
With support from UNM Admissions Office staff, hands-on workshops will be held annually for participants to review the process of completing college admission applications. The following is a list of workshops that will be provided to participants: Writing a college essay; Getting letters of recommendation; Finding a good college fit; Developing a resume; Application review; and Preparing for an interview. During these workshops, UNM EOC staff as well as staff from the University will be available to review participants' admissions materials and provide immediate feedback for improvement. UNM EOC staff will also provide individual sessions for participants completing the college application process. Individual sessions and workshops will include information on scholarship opportunities and support programs available once students enroll in postsecondary education.
The UNM EOC program is careful not be a recruiting branch for UNM and to partner with other nearby postsecondary institutions as well as the UNM College Enrichment and Outreach Program to provide opportunities for participants to visit campuses for the purpose of obtaining admission information and making informed decisions about what college they want to attend. For participants interested in colleges outside UNM EOC's target area, advisors will assist them in making arrangement with the colleges of their choice.
At EOC we help potential students choose a career by looking at individual's interests, values, and personality. Call EOC for an appointment (505) 277-2203.
EOC Advisors with support from UNM Financial Aid staff will provide Financial Management Workshops. These workshops will focus on topics relating to basic personal income, household money management, financial planning skills, and economic decision-making skills. In addition to those topics, workshops will review costs and benefits of post-secondary education and assist participants in comparing their financial situation with what it will be if they were to receive financial aid. Finally, the workshops will provide tips on budgeting funds to improve financial sustainability while on financial aid.
UNM EOC program will provide interested participants the opportunity to engage in career exploration by partnering with UNM Career Services. Additionally, for participants who want more experience with specific job explorations, UNM EOC will work with participants and UNM Career Services to develop on-site visits to relevant locations and arrange meetings with people employed in their field of interest.
UNM EOC advisors will meet with participants as needed, according to UNM EOC Follow-up Policy and with flexibility at times that may not be stated in the policy, to ensure that participants receive the most accurate and complete information regarding academic preparation for admission, acceptance and enrollment into institutions of postsecondary education. Furthermore, during advisement sessions participants have the opportunity to discuss personal issues that create barriers to pursuing postsecondary education. A referral system has been developed and implemented by UNM EOC to assist participants with personal counseling issues that are outside the scope of the UNM EOC staff. UNM EOC staff will utilize these advisement meetings as an opportunity to assess progress towards participants' educational goals.
Enrollment in the UNM Educational Opportunity Center is open to individuals who are:
Priority will be given to:
Disability according to the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the University of New Mexico Policy 2310 is defined as a substantial limitation of a major life function. This includes students with visual, hearing, learning, psychological, orthopedic and chronic health disabilities. Students enrolled in SSS must register with UNM's Accessibility Resource Center for the potential of additional academic services.
EOC is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Title IV, TRIO programs.