Educational Opportunity Centers Program (EOC)

The

The 2026 Educational Opportunity Centers Program Profile outlines instructions and requirements for applicants seeking federal grants. Applicants, including current grantees and new entities, must provide their PR/Award Number (if applicable), legal name, and project address. The application allows for addressing specific priorities: Absolute Priority (Expanding Education Choice), Competitive Preference Priority (Returning Education to the States), and Invitational Priority (Talent Marketplaces). Projects must serve a minimum of 850 participants annually, with two-thirds being low-income, first-generation college students. Key program objectives include increasing secondary school diploma attainment, financial aid applications, and postsecondary education admissions. The document defines terms like "enrolled," "acceptance but deferred enrollment," and "equivalent of a secondary school diploma."

The 2026 Educational Opportunity Centers Program Profile outlines instructions for applicants seeking federal grants, emphasizing eligibility, project priorities, and participant objectives. Applicants must complete a specific form, providing their current grant award number if applicable. The application addresses three main priorities: Absolute Priority (expanding education choice through distance education, pre-apprenticeships, or Registered Apprenticeships, and in-demand credentials), Competitive Preference Priority (projects carried out by state agencies, workforce development boards, higher education agencies, or Tribal organizations), and Invitational Priority (talent marketplaces in accessible settings). Projects must serve a minimum of 850 participants annually, with two-thirds being low-income, first-generation college students. Key objectives include supporting participants in obtaining secondary school diplomas, applying for financial aid, and applying for postsecondary education. The document defines terms like "enrolled," "acceptance but deferred enrollment," and "equivalent of a secondary school diploma."