Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC)

Interested in college, but don't know how to get started?

The TRiO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) is a federally funded program through the U.S. Department of Education at Palm Beach State College.

The Educational Opportunity Center is a FREE program Palm Beach State College offers that is 100% funded by the U.S. Department of Education to provide assistance to adults 19 and older and high school juniors and seniors who desire a post-secondary education. All services are FREE.

The EOCs assist one-on-one with services related to applications, financial aid and career decisions. We also present workshops to groups throughout the community about accessing education beyond the high school level and taking the next step to reach YOUR goals!

Want to know more about TRiO EOC?

Services We Provide

• Understand the financial aid process
• Learn about grants, scholarships, and loans
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Reconcile defaulted student loans

What to bring?

Participants should bring their tax return from 2 years ago. For the 2020-21 school year, this would be the 2018 tax return. Read below to determine if you are dependent or independent:

An independent student is defined as a student who:

• Will be at least 24 years old by December 31, 2020
• Is married
• Has children for whom they provide more than half of their child’s financial support during the school year
• Has dependents (other than child or spouse) who live with them and for whom they provide more than half of their dependent’s financial support during the school year
• At any time after turning 13 years old was an orphan, in foster care, or a dependent or ward of the court
• As defined by a court in the state of their legal residence was ever in a legal guardianship or an emancipated minor or
• At any time after July 1, 2019 was identified as an unaccompanied youth who was homeless, self-supporting, or at risk of being homeless by one of the following:
  • HS liaison
  • director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center
  • director of an emergency shelter, or
  • director of a traditional housing program funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development

  If none of the above apply, you are a dependent student.

  Independent Student must bring:

  • Your Social Security Card
  • Your Permanent Resident Card (only if not US Citizen)
  • Your (and your spouse’s) Federal Tax Returns (IRS 1040)
  • Records of any untaxed income (child support, social security, unemployment, etc.)
  • Your FSA ID and Password (if you do not have one, please create one at https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm

  Dependent Student must bring:

  • Your (and your parent’s) Social Security Card
  • Your Permanent Resident Card (only if not US Citizen)
  • Your (and your parent’s) Federal Tax Returns (IRS 1040)
  • Records of any untaxed income (child support, social security, unemployment, etc.) for both you and your parents

  Your (and your parent’s) FSA ID and Password (if you do not have one, please create one at https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm

  2. Career Counseling
  • Complete Interest Profiles to find your passion
  • Determine which careers are growing in job availability.
  • Evaluate minimum educational requirements
  • Learn about how much various career tracks earn