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Educational Opportunity Center

EOC members

Program Overview

The TRIO Educational Opportunity Center Program (EOC) is funded by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education under Title IV of the Higher Education Act. Montgomery College has been a strong supporter and advocate of TRIO EOC since it was first funded at the college in 2002 to help low-income, first-generation adults (aged 19 and above) access postsecondary education. As one of eight federal TRIO programs, EOC seeks to provide assistance to eligible Montgomery County residents who wish to enter or re-enter college (vocational/technical programs, 2-year colleges, or 4-year colleges/universities), transition into a new career field, explore scholarship and financial aid opportunities, and more. Services are available in English, Spanish, and Amharic. Additional language needs can be accommodated with at least two weeks' advance notice.

What We Do

Our staff provides one-on-one and group assistance in completing the FAFSA, admissions applications, financial aid forms, and career explorations. EOC will guide participants through enrollment in English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, GED preparation programs, and technical/training programs. 

Prospective Participants

As a federally funded program, TRIO EOC is required to verify that all program participants meet the program criteria in order to receive free services. While participants are evaluated for eligibility on an individual basis, we encourage you to apply if the following general requirements apply to you.

  • A current Montgomery County resident (does not apply to U.S. veterans)
  • An adult age 19 years or older (with the exception of current high school seniors)
  • A U.S. citizen, Permanent Resident, Approved Refugee, Approved Asylee OR meet the residency requirement for federal student financial aid
  • Have not earned a 4-year bachelor’s degree in or outside of the U.S.
  • Potential first-general college student (neither parent has a 4-year college degree)
  • Low-income individual (based on federal guidelines)

If you have any questions regarding your eligibility for our services, please contact the office directly.

TRIO EOC offers the following free services in Englishnew window, Spanishnew window, and Amharicnew window to eligible Montgomery County residents*:

  • Admissions Counseling
  • Career Counseling
  • FAFSA/CSS Proile/Financial Aid Application Assistance
  • Financial Literacy Advising
  • Free Official GED Practice Test
  • Postsecondary Information & Academic Advising
  • Scholarship Search

Our service options include one-on-one and group assistance in-person or virtually via Zoom.

Take a look at our program flyers here (PDF, Get Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader - Link opens in new window) to learn more about our program!

Prospective participants interested in receiving free services must be able to sign and submit a program application.*

TRIO EOC Program Application


* If you are deemed ineligible for our services, we encourage you to contact Raptor Central or the Office of Community Engagement for further assistance. If you contact Community Engagement, please reference that you were referred by TRIO EOC.

Our Community Outreach Efforts

Through our strategic outreach efforts, TRIO EOC continues to establish and cultivate partnerships that span Montgomery County. These valuable partnerships enable us to connect with and serve communities in need of resources that will empower them to achieve their academic and career goals. 

TRIO EOC continues to expand our outreach efforts to include local organizations, agencies, and institutions that provide a vast range of services and support to individuals and families. Establishing a partnership with TRIO EOC can be a mutually beneficial experience that supports our program participants, and the clients, customers, or participants served by our partners.

Our staff continue to seek opportunities for collaboration with prospective and current partners to ensure that we excel beyond the needs of those we serve. Whether it is establishing a referral process, hosting an information session or workshop, or being a part of your event, we are committed to meeting your needs.

  • Adventist Healthcare
  • Avery Road Rehabilitation Center
  • Career Catchers
  • Educational Systems Federal Credit Union
  • EQUUS (DHHS Partner for SNAP, TCA, and TANF)
  • Ethiopian Community Center in Maryland (ECCM)
  • GapBuster
  • Gaithersburg Financial Empowerment Center
  • Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC)
  • Housing Unlimited Inc. (HUI)
  • Interfaith Works
  • Kingdom Global Church
  • Latin American Youth Center
  • Maryland Department of Labor (MDOL)
  • Maryland Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
  • Montgomery College
  • Montgomery County Correctional Facility (MCCF)
  • Montgomery County Drug Court
  • Montgomery County HUBS
  • Montgomery County Pre-Release Center (PRC)
  • Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)
  • Project Access
  • Rockville Housing Enterprises (RHE)
    • Youth Build
  • Streetwise
  • Urban Alliance Inc.
  • Worksource Montgomery

TRIO EOC works closely with our partners to create opportunities for individuals and families to connect with services at the office and out in the community. Our staff often attend outreach events to share program information and seek opportunities to connect with like-minded programs, agencies, and organizations that benefit the community.

If you would like to request our participation in an upcoming community event, please contact EOC Director Beverly Coleman at Beverly.Coleman@montgomerycollege.edu 

Our Satellite Locations

To provide services across Montgomery County, interested participants can meet with our staff at satellite locations on select days of the week. If you have any questions regarding satellite locations and/or staff availability, please contact us at mceoc@montgomerycollege.edu or call 240-567-5644.

Our Satellite Locations
Location Address Schedule Languages Provided*
Montgomery College, Rockville Mannakee Building
900 Hungerford Drive
Suite 250
Rockville, MD 20850		 Monday – Friday
9 am – 6:30 pm		 English, Spanish, Amharic
East County Education Center 2221 Broadbirch Drive
Room 136
Silver Spring, MD 20904		 Mondays
9 am – 5:30 pm		 English
WorkSource Montgomery  11510 Georgia Avenue
Third Floor, Cubicle 16
Wheaton, MD 20902		 Tuesdays
10:00 am – 5:00 pm		 English, Spanish, Amharic

Montgomery County Pre-Release Center
(For PRC Residents Only)

 11651 Nebel Street
Rockville, MD 20852
438 N. Frederick Avenue
Suite 240		 1st & 3rd Tuesday
11:00 am – 5:00 pm		 English, Spanish

EQUUS Silver Spring
(For EQUUS Customers Only)

 438 N. Frederick Avenue
Suite 240
Gaithersburg, MD 20877		 2nd & 4th Wednesday
10:00 am – 11:00 am		 English, Spanish

EQUUS Gaithersburg
(For EQUUS Customers Only)

 Gaithersburg, MD 20877
1400 Spring Street
Suite 260
Silver Spring, MD 20910		 2nd & 4th Thursday
10:00 am – 11:00 am		 English, Amharic
Montgomery College, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Cafritz Foundation Arts Center
Room 255
930 King Street
Takoma Park, MD 20910		 Fridays
9:00 am – 5:30 pm		 English, Amharic
Educational Opportunity Center Staff

TRIO EOC staff provide one-on-one or group support to address your academic and career goals. Prospective participants may schedule an in-person or virtual appointment to take advantage of our free services.

Free Resources

Education Resources

Community Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

A: The Educational Opportunity Centers program provides counseling and information on college admissions to qualified adults who want to enter or continue a postsecondary education program. The goal of the EOC program is to increase the number of adult participants who enroll in postsecondary education institutions. (Read Morenew window)

A. No. Participants must reside in the target area served by an Educational Opportunity Center and meet certain eligibility criteria. For the TRIO EOC at Montgomery College, participants must reside in Montgomery County, be an adult 19 years or older (except for current high school seniors), be a U.S. citizen, Permanent Resident, Approved Refugee, or Asylee, and not have earned a 4-year degree in or outside of the U.S.

A. TRIO EOC is here to support you in pursuing your academic and career goals. Our staff are dedicated to providing you with individualized support from working to obtain your GED or high school diploma, registering for postsecondary courses, applying for financial aid, and more. By becoming a program participant, you will gain access to a network of free services and opportunities.

A. No. All TRIO EOC services are free!

A. Program participants are eligible for the program up until they graduate with a bachelor’s degree.

A. If you are not eligible for TRIO EOC services, we encourage you to contact Raptor Central or the Office of Community Engagement for further assistance. Please be sure to reference that you were referred by TRIO EOC.
If you are a Prince George’s County, Howard or Baltimore County, or District of Columbia resident, please see your local EOC below:
• For Prince George’s County, click herenew window.
• For Howard or Baltimore County, click herenew window.
• For District of Columbia, click herenew window.

A. If you have questions, we encourage you to email us at mceoc@montgomerycollege.edu or call 240-567-5644. Please be sure to state your name and indicate the assistance you need in your email. Our email and office phone are monitored Monday through Friday during normal business hours.

 

Here is a glimpse of our staff out in the community!

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