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
• Referrals to Social Services
• 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
• SkillsOne (EOC on-line career inventories)
• SkillsOne (EOC counselor’s 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
• National Student Data System (NSLDS)

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).

• Online Programs
• National College Ranks
• Once you have picked a school next steps…

4 Year Private Colleges

Augsburg University, Minneapolis
Bethel University
Carleton College
College of St. Benedict
St. Catherine University, Saint Paul
Concordia College, Moorhead
Concordia University, Saint Paul
Gustavus Adolphus College
Hamline University
Macalester College
Mayo Medical School
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
St. John's University
St. Mary's University
St. Olaf College
College of St. Scholastica
University of Northwestern
University of St. Thomas

4 Year State Universities

Bemidji State University
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Metropolitan State University
Moorhead State University
St. Cloud State University
Southwest State University
University of Minnesota
Winona State University

2 Year State Community & Technical Colleges

Alexandria Technical & Community College
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Anoka Technical College
Central Lakes College
Century College
Dakota County Technical College
Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College
Hennepin Technical College
Hibbing Community College
Inver Hills Community College
Itasca Community College
Lake Superior College
Mesabi Range Community College
Minneapolis Community & Technical College
Minnesota State College Southeast
Minnesota State Community & Technical College
Minnesota West Community & Technical College
Normandale Community College
North Hennepin Community College
Northland Community & Technical College
Northwest Technical College
Pine Technical and Community College
Rainy River Community College
Ridgewater College
Riverland Community & Technical College
Rochester Community & Technical College
South Central Technical College
St. Cloud Technical & Community College
St. Paul College
Vermilion Community College

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.