91¸£Àû’s Maine Educational Opportunity Center (MEOC) plans to significantly expand its reach, serving 3,400 participants annually under a renewed five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
MEOC, a federal TRIO program that provides college access services to Mainers statewide, has served between 1,700 and a little more than 2,200 participants annually during the past five years. The renewed grant will support Maine residents seeking to enter, re-enter or continue postsecondary education.
As part of the expansion, MEOC will add two advisors, bringing its statewide advising team to eight. MEOC advisors assist participants with assessing their skills and interests, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), applying to college and navigating the enrollment process. They also support students after enrollment with study skills, time management, financial literacy and other areas.
The expanded services come as the state, the University of Maine System and other public and private entities pursue a goal of having 70% of Maine’s working-age population hold a college degree or other credential of value by 2035.
MEOC, housed in the 91¸£Àû College of Education and Human Development, has been continuously funded since 1991. The program is designed primarily to support first-generation and income-eligible Maine residents.
As long as two-thirds of program participants meet those designations, any Maine resident who is at least 19 years old and does not already have a bachelor’s degree can qualify for services.
The College of Education and Human Development also administers federal TRIO program grants for the Maine Educational Talent Search, Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math-Science.
