Educational Opportunity Center

The Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) provides referrals for Adult Education Programs: Adult Basic Education (ABE), English as a Second Language (ESL) and General Education Diploma (GED). You may work with an EOC counselor while pursuing your GED/ABE/ESL for career counseling, financial aid and college selection.

To get information about the nearest location of ABE/ESL/GED programs and GED preparation and testing locations, you can contact:

• Minnesota Literacy Council (MLC)
• Adult Literacy Hotline 1-800-222-1990
• National Literacy Directory
• Minneapolis area (612) 668-3800
• St. Paul area (651) 645-2277

Other resources include:

• International Institute of Minnesota for free education programs
• U of MN ESL program
• Educational Credential Evaluation for educational credential evaluation of foreign academic records
• Resolve student loan defaults (for potential students only)

What is Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeship is a formal system of employee training that combines on-the-job training with related technical instructions.

Minnesota Apprenticeship Program allows employers to create their own apprenticeship program that provides apprentices with the specific skill training and job related theory tailoring to the company's needs. People who enroll into the apprenticeship program are called apprentices.

Apprentices have the opportunity to learn an occupation, gain valuable skills and knowledge which makes them more marketable in the future, earn a good wage, receive great fringe benefits and have a sense of job security.

Who is eligible to enroll into the apprenticeship programs?

High School graduate or GED is required, must be at least 18 years of age, and be US Citizen or eligible non-citizen.

For more information on apprenticeship programs call

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Division of Apprenticeship
(651) 296-237

Other Resources:

ConstructionCareers.org

Book: Career Opportunities Through Apprenticeship.
Describes 16 trades and the process for applying for an apprenticeship. Free from the Division of Voluntary Apprenticeship, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (651) 296-2371

Groups:

• Builders Association of the Twin Cities (651) 697-1954
• Minnesota Builders Association (651) 646-7959
• Minnesota Teamsters Service Bureau (651) 647-6478
• National Association of Home Builders (800) 368-5242
• Women in the Trades (651) 228-9955
• Women Venture (651) 646-3808

At EOC we help you choose a career by looking at your interests, values and personality. EOC counselors are certified to administer and interpret a variety of career interest questionnaires such as:

• Strong Interest Inventory
• Career Assessment Inventory
• Career Decision-Making System
• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
• Elevate (EOC adviser access)

Call EOC for an appointment (612) 659-6543

To get information about different careers and job markets visit:

• CareerWise
• Occupational Network onLine O*Net
• MCIS
• Vocational Biographies

• Guide to Defaulted Student Loan from the U.S. Department of Education
• The Direct Loan Consolidation Online Application and Promissory Note
• Loan Status Information Request Online

In 1997, Congress passed legislation creating the opportunity for certain students or their parents to obtain a tax credit for tuition and required fees paid to attend a college or university.

There are two education credits: the Hope Credit, for tuition and fees for the first two years of postsecondary education and the Lifetime Learning Credit.

For more information about Education Tax benefits and other Federal Tax Credits, call 1-800-829-1040 or visit the IRS website.

Free tax help!

From February 1 to April 15, trained volunteers will help those with low incomes fill out their federal and state tax returns at over 450 volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) sites throughout Minnesota.

To find out a VITA site near you, call (651) 297-3724 or 1-800-652-9094.

EOC can help you apply for Financial Aid. For an appointment, contact EOC at (612) 659-6543.

To be eligible for financial aid you must…

• Be U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Be working toward a degree or certificate.
• Show financial need (except for PLUS and Stafford unsubsidized loans).
• Not owe a refund on Federal grant or be in default* on Federal educational loan.
• All males (18-26) should be registered with the Selective Services or have a letter of approval from the selective services that would state that they don't need to register.

To fill out Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) you need:

• Your Social Security number and driver's license or ID.
• If you are not US citizen, you also need your Alien registration number.
• Your (& your spouse's, if you are married) 1040 Tax form or other records of income for the previous year. (If you filed 1040 and can not find the copy, call 1-800-829-1040 to get the summary of 1040).
• If you are dependent* you also need your parents' 1040 or other records of income.
• Records of business, stock, bonds, & other investments (if any).

Main Office
Minneapolis Community & Technical College
1501 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612-659-6543

Emerge
1834 Emerson Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55411
Appt: 612-659-6543

Minnesota Workforce Center
800 W. Broadway Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55411
612-668-2103
Appt: 612-659-6543

Minnesota Work Force Center
1201 89th Avenue NE. Suite 230
Blaine, MN 55434
763-324-2328

Minnesota Work Force Center
 2266 2nd Street North
North St. Paul, MN 55109
651-266-9867

Ronald Hubbs Center
1030 University Avenue, Suite 108
St. Paul, MN 55104
651-744-1643

Saint Paul College
235 Marshall Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55102
Appt: 612-659-6543

Century College
3300 Century Avenue North
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
651-779-3471

What are the Scholarships?

• Scholarships are considered gift money to assist a student in financing their higher education. Scholarship money is typically derived from institutional or private financial aid.
• Contact the college that you are planning to attend to find out about scholarship opportunities available for you through their financial aid office.
• Contact Educational Opportunity Center (612) 659-6543 to get help searching and applying for scholarships.
• When researching scholarship opportunities, BEWARE of scholarship service scams!

Scholarship Search Internet Resources

Scholarship Search. This site locates scholarships, loans, internships and other financial aid programs from non-college sources that match your education level, talents, and background.

College Net Mach 25. This site locates hundreds of scholarships.

Smart Student Guide to the Financial Aid! 

Be sure to check your local sources for scholarships, such as your company, your union, foundations, religious groups, town or city civic organizations, clubs you belong to, colleges you are considering - any or all of these organizations may provide help with your education.

1. Think about the kind of career and job you want before you look for a school.
2. When you are choosing a career or job, it is important to talk with people already working in the career field you are interested in. This will help you decide if the job is the right one for you.
   • Find out what type of education you need to get the job you want.
   • Find out if employers are hiring for the job you desire.
   • Look in the newspaper employment section, contact companies that employ people in your career field, and ask about job opportunities.
3. Find time to go school shopping:
   • Request college catalogs of schools you are considering.
   • Visit the EOC office in your area.
   • Plan to attend the National College Fair.
   • Read information about the schools carefully and do some comparison shopping.

Use the list of school shopping questions below as a guide.

Questions you want to answer before signing for a school

1. Does the school provide the training I need?
2. How many credits do I need to get certification/diploma/degree to graduate from the school?
3. How expensive the program that I intend to complete in this school?
4. Does the school offer financial aid?
5. Does the school have up-to-date facilities and equipment required for my education?
6. Does the school provide job placement services? Are these services listed in the information package I received?
7. Does the school offer work-study opportunities?
8. Can I get the courses I want at times to fit my schedule?
9. If I need to improve my language skills, can I get the required courses as part of my training?
10. To find out about the reputation of the school get answers to the following questions:
11. How many students who begin a program actually complete it and graduate?
12. How many graduates find jobs doing the work they were trained for?
13. If professional certification is required for employment; how many students enrolled in that career program passed the required test and were certified?
14. You can add more questions to this list!
15. Do not rely on the school's representative for all the information. You may be talking to a "counselor" who is paid for every student enrolled.

• Main number: 612-659-6543
• Fax number: 612-659-6544