TRIO-Educational Opportunity Centers (84.066)

Program

84.066 TRIO-Educational Opportunity Centers

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Education
Office: Office Of Postsecondary Education

Authorization

Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, Executive Order Subpart 2, Chapter 1, Section 402F, Title IV, Part A.

Program Number

84.066

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To provide information on financial and academic assistance available for qualified adults desiring to pursue a program of postsecondary education and to assist them in applying for admission to institutions of postsecondary education.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds are awarded to institutions of higher education or agencies for establishment and operation of centers to collect and disseminate information concerning financial aid and academic programs available to participants seeking to pursue postsecondary education and to assist participants in preparing admission and financial aid applications. Centers may also provide tutoring and counseling for project participants who are not enrolled in an Upward Bound or a Student Support Services project. A grantee may not use the center as a part of its recruitment program.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Institutions of higher education, public and private not-for-profit agencies and organizations, a combination of the above and, in exceptional cases, secondary schools may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Persons residing in the target area who need one or more of the services provided by the project in order to pursue a program of postsecondary education and who desire to pursue or who are pursuing a program of postsecondary education. Two-thirds of the participants must be low-income individuals who are also potential first-generation college students. Project participants must be at least nineteen years old (exceptions allowed). Required low-income criteria for participants are stated in application materials.

Credentials/Documentation

Costs will be determined in accordance with the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR).

OMB Circular A-21 applies.
OMB Circular A-87 applies.
OMB Circular A-122 applies. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Develop a proposal in accordance with regulations, applications, and timetables issued by the Secretary of Education. No State plan is required. Requests for program applications should be made to the Federal TRI0 Programs, College and University Preparation and Support Team. This program is subject to the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR).

Award Procedure

Selected non-Federal field readers evaluate new proposals based on the selection criteria established in program regulations 34 CFR 644.21 and 34 CFR 644.22. Grantees will be selected on the basis of satisfactory proposals and availability of funds. Grants are awarded through Federal TRIO Programs office.

Deadlines

Not Applicable.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 90 to 180 days.

Appeals

The program statute authorizes a second review of unsuccessful applications. The Department is developing regulations to implement a second review process for unsuccessful applicants. An unsuccessful applicant requesting a second review must provide evidence that the Department, an agent of the Department, or a peer reviewer made a technical, administrative, or scoring error in the processing or review of its application.

Renewals

Awards are for five years. Continuation awards are approved on an annual basis, subject to the availability of funds and evidence that the grantee is meeting the conditions of the grant and making substantial progress towards meeting the project objectives.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

This program has no matching requirements.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Five-year projects, annual awards. Continuation awards are subject to the availability of funds and evidence that the grantee is making satisfactory progress. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Electronic transfer.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Grantees must submit an annual performance report. No cash reports are required. Progress reports are required for a project in its first year of funding. Staff monitor grants drawdowns using agency financial reports. Reporting on performance measures is required as part of the submittal of the required annual performance report.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In accordance with the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), 34 CFR 74.26, 75.702, 75.910, and 74.61.

Records

In accordance with Education Department General Administrative Regulations, 34 CFR 75.730, 75.731, and 75.732.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: The program supported 125 projects serving approximately 196,000 students in 2008. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0201-0-1-502.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $47,057,000; FY 09 est $46,807,000; FY 10 est $46,807,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Varies by competition. In 2008, the average annual award was approximately $376,000.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

EDGAR and regulation 34 CFR 644. New regulations are under development. Contact the program office for additional details.

Related Programs

84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants; 84.032 Federal Family Education Loans; 84.033 Federal Work-Study Program; 84.038 Federal Perkins Loan Program_Federal Capital Contributions; 84.042 TRIO_Student Support Services; 84.044 TRIO_Talent Search; 84.047 TRIO_Upward Bound; 84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program; 84.103 TRIO Staff Training Program; 84.217 TRIO_McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Rachel Couch Federal TRIO Programs, Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20202 Email: ope.trio@ed.gov Phone: (202)502-7547

Web Site Address

http://www.ed.gov/programs/trioeoc/ .

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: Projects to universities and agencies to collect and disseminate information on financial and other assistance available to low-income, first-generation college-bound persons seeking to pursue postsecondary education and to assist participants in preparing admission and financial aid applications. Some centers also provide tutoring and counseling for project participants that are not enrolled in an Upward Bound or Student Support Services project. Centers are funded in metropolitan, urban, and rural areas. Applicants define target area to be served. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available. Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

For new awards the Selection Criteria in 34 CFR 644.21 are considered. New regulations are under development. Contact the program office for additional information.