Educational Opportunity Centers Program (EOC)
This grant supports programs that help individuals access information and assistance for postsecondary education, including financial aid guidance and improving financial literacy.
Funder: Office of Postsecondary Education
Due Dates: May 14, 2026: Full application deadline | July 13, 2026: Deadline for Intergovernmental Review
Funding Amounts: Total program funding: $52,611,659 | Award range: $238,000–$3,000,000 per year (up to 5 years)
Summary: Supports projects that provide counseling and assistance to adults seeking to enter or return to postsecondary education, with a focus on low-income, first-generation college students.
Description
This program funds projects that help adults—especially low-income and first-generation college students—access and succeed in postsecondary education. Funded activities include providing information about financial and academic assistance, helping with admissions and financial aid applications, and improving participants’ financial and economic literacy. In the FY 2026 cycle, there is a strong emphasis on expanding access to apprenticeships, high-quality short-term credentials, and career pathways, with robust support for career exploration and connections to workforce agencies and talent marketplaces.
