The Extended Opportunity Program and Services offers extra money to eligible students across campus.
“We are extra help of financial aid, ” stated EOPS Student Assistant, Cynthia Valencia.
Its purpose is to provide positive encouragement directed to the enrollment, retention and transfer/transition of disadvantaged students and to stimulate their interest in social, intellectual, educational and vocational development.
In order to join the EOPS program, students must first fill out the FAFSA form and must be enrolled full-time in 12 units when accepted into the program.
“Students believe that just because they qualify for financial aid means that they automatically qualify for the EOPS program but that is not true,” Valencia stated.
Eligible students must be a California resident, fill out the EOPS application and must attend the orientation.
Valencia said, “Students that register for the program early receive a $150 book voucher which they can use toward their books.”
EOPS also offers the Achievement Mathematics Program which integrates counseling and guidance with mathematics courses.
The AIM program offers students free textbooks, free tutoring and calculator, $50 grant, EOPS counseling, priority registration and supplemental instruction.
Their goal is provide support for students to overcome subject matter barriers and other obstacles that may keep students from reaching their academic goals.
Students in the program must meet with their EOPS counselor twice each semester and to encourage them they give the students a gift after the meeting.
“EOPS counselors give gas cards to students when they turn in their work and progress card,” said Valencia.
To earn extra money students in the program can also join the EOPS Counseling and Guidance 50 class.
“They can earn up to $100 just for completing the class,” Valencia stated.
The class is offered on a first-come first-serve basis and enrollment is limited.
If students would like more information on the program students are more than welcomed to stop by the EOPS office.
Valencia said, “However, we are not accepting students as of right now but we will at the beginning of the second session of summer school.”
