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Educational Opportunity Center

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Welcome to the Educational Opportunity Center 

Gulf Coast State College's Educational Opportunity Center is a federal TRiO grant program that assists low-income and first-generation participants with enrolling or staying enrolled in higher education. 

 

Click Here to Request EOC Information

Mission

The Educational Opportunity Center at Gulf Coast State College strives to provide Bay, Gulf, and Franklin county residents with the financial, academic, admissions, and economic literacy assistance they need to enroll, or remain enrolled, in postsecondary education.

GRANT AWARD

GCSC was awarded a Fiscal Year 2021 Educational Opportunity Center grant on August 25th, 2021. That award (P066A210096) runs from 09/01/2021 till 08/31/2026 and is budgeted to receive approximately $272,753.00 annually. Please note, too, that the Educational Opportunity Center’s program costs are 100% financed by federal money and all services are provided free of charge to participants.

Eligibility

  • First generation (neither parent has a four-year bachelor's degree)
  • Low income (based on federal guidelines)
  • Desire to enter or continue a program of post-secondary education which includes:
    • State colleges
    • Universities
    • Technical schools
  • Veterans, the homeless and those covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act
*You must be  U.S. citizen, permanent resident or an eligible non-citizen. You must also meet any of the listed criteria.

SERVICES

 As a participant, the Educational Opportunity Center offers you assistance with:

  • Information on educational institutions within the region, state and United States
  • Completion of college or vocational/technical admissions forms
  • Choosing a program of study including referral to GED
  • Transferring to an upper-level college or university
  • Explanation of the financial aid process
  • Completing and filing financial aid forms, including Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which determines Pell Grant funds
  • Information about how to apply for a college work-study position
  • Assessments to discover your career interests
  • Discussion of careers that match your interests and aptitude
  • Information on colleges and vocational/technical programs related to your interests
  • Information on selected careers, including job descriptions, employments trends and wage forecasts

Monthly Workshops

Dress for SuccessChoosing Your DegreeFinancial LiteracyRelaxation TechniquesMental HealthOrientationFAFSAFinancial AidOnline Research SkillsTime/Stress ManagementAvoiding BurnoutOnline Safety

EOC Staff Contact Information

staff

Lisa Fritch , EOC Project Coordinator
850.769.1551 ext. 4074  afritch@gulfcoast.edu 

staffAlex Flanders, Educational Resource Advisor
850.769.1551 ext. 5813  rflanders@gulfcoast.edu 
staffNicci McEwen, Educational Resource Advisor
850.769.1551 ext. 4073  tmcewen@gulfcoast.edu 
Gulf Coast State College does not discriminate against any person in its programs, activities, policies or procedures on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, marital status, religion, age, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. All questions or inquiries regarding compliance with laws relating to non-discrimination and all complaints regarding sexual misconduct or discrimination, may be directed to Lee Wood, Executive Director, Human Resources/Title II/504/Title IX Coordinator and Employment Equity Officer, Gulf Coast State College, 5230 W. US Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32401.