(Open until 7:00 p.m. the first Thursday of each month)
The East Texas Educational Opportunity Center (ETEOC)
The ETEOC is funded by the U.S. Department of Education under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.The ETEOC is one of five federal TRIO programs designed to provide:
(1) Academic support to insure that high school students graduate;
(2) Information about careers, colleges and financial aid to insure that everyone who has the desire may enroll in a postsecondary educational or training program after high school, and;
(3) Academic support to insure that once enrolled in college, students graduate and go on to pursue graduate or professional degrees.Educational Opportunity Centers serve those who have not yet obtained the Bachelor’s Degree.
The East Texas EOC serves residents of Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Panola, Rusk, Smith, Upshur and Wood counties.Residents from adjoining counties may request services.All ETEOC services are offered FREE of charge.Among the services provided by the ETEOC are:
CAREER COUNSELING: Information about:
(1) High demand careers in the East Texas area as well as across the country;
(2) Type of work performed, working conditions and suitable personal qualities for specific careers;
(3) Type of training required for the career;
(4) Where the training is provided; and
(5) The transferability of skills to another occupation. Career Interest Assessments are provided to help clients make decisions about careers that are most suited to them.
COLLEGE SELECTION COUNSELING: Information about two- and four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools throughout the United States. This information includes size and location; admissions requirements and deadlines; testing requirements; financial aid practices and policies; and athletic and other extracurricular activities. Both printed and internet-based material is available for the prospective student.
ACADEMIC COUNSELING: Information about admissions requirements relative to entrance/placement exams; high school or college units or credits; and high school or college transcripts. Printed and internet-based material available to help clients prepare for the ACT/SAT/THEA exams. Help registering for those exams. Assistance provided for clients who must locate and enroll in GED programs before pursuing postsecondary training.
FINANCIAL AID COUNSELING: Information about different sources and types of student financial aid available for post-secondary education; the financial aid award process; and deadlines for applying for financial aid. Printed and internet-based resources available for prospective students interested in additional non-federal grants and scholarships.
APPLICATION ASSISTANCE: Assistance completing application forms for COLLEGE ADMISSION, STUDENT FINANCIAL AID, STUDENT HOUSING, SAT/ACT/THEA Exams.
