Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) is a state-funded program for students in need of extra support at Contra Costa College. Students in the program receive free books, supplies such as gas or bus passes, food cards, and free caps and gowns for those graduating. The program also offers priority registration and covers the cost of nine transferring applications.
To qualify, you must be a California resident, and be enrolled in 12 or more units per semester. Students must also be eligible for the California Promise grant and apply for financial aid, have less than 70 degree-applicable units. There are also some categories one must fit under such as being a First-Generation Student, lacing below college level in English or Math, English being your secondary language, and having a high school GPA below 2.5 or not having a high school diploma or GED at all.
Even though this may seem like a lot that you need to be qualified for, the application is relatively easy for students to fill out. Since it is all self-reported information you will not need a high school transcript or tax forms.
Leticia Mendoza has been the EOPS coordinator for five years and urges students to explore the program.
“I believe more students should be a part of EOPS even if they aren’t sure if they can qualify for EOPS it’s better to sign up still,” Mendoza said in an interview. “If students are struggling since we have our own EOPS counseling department. They help with the educational plan and if they aren’t doing well they tend to check in which is why they check in on students frequently.”
So far there are only around 670 students in EOPS this year, which isn’t very much, since CCC currently has 8,390 students enrolled, meaning only 8% of them are in the program. Which is why Mendoza is very vocal about students applying for EOPS.
Why is EOPS so important? Even though all colleges in California have programs like EOPS according to Mendoza, “They all provide different services. Some might not help them pay for their funding for books or give food or gas cards.”
We can see how CCC is trying to help students pursuing higher education by providing this extra program to keep students on track to completing their degree or transferring.
Have questions or want to learn more about EOPS? Stop by the Student Services Center located in room 106, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., or visit the program website.
