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| 84.066 TRIO_EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY CENTERS |
| FEDERAL AGENCY |
| OFFICE OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION |
| AUTHORIZATION |
| Higher Education Act of 1965, Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2, Chapter 1, Section 402F, as amended, 20 U.S.C. 1070a-16. |
| 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. |
| 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). This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. |
| 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. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. |
| Application Procedure |
| 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 TR10 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 |
| Deadlines are published in the Federal Register. |
| Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
| From 90 to 180 days. |
| Appeals |
| None. |
| Renewals |
| Continuation awards for up to five years approved annually. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds. |
| Formula and Matching Requirements |
| This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements. |
| Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
| For or five-year projects, annual awards. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds. |
| Reports |
| Performance reports are required on an annual basis. |
| Audits |
| In accordance with the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), 34 CFR 75.702 and 74.61. |
| Records |
| In accordance with 34 CFR 75.730, 75.731, and 75.732. |
| Account Identification |
| 91-0201-0-1-502. |
| Obligations |
| (Grants) FY 07 $47,006,891; FY 08 est $47,100,000; and FY 09 est $47,057,000. |
| Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
| The estimated average 2008 award is $377,000. The minimum grant award is $220,000. |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| The program support 125 projects serving approximately 196,000 students in 2008. |
| REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
| EDGAR and regulation 34 CFR 644. |
| Regional or Local Office |
| None. |
| Headquarters Office |
| Federal TRIO Programs, Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20202. Contact: Margaret Wingfield, E-mail: ope.trio@ed.gov; Telephone (202) 502-7547. |
| Web Site Address |
| http://www.ed.gov/programs/trioeoc/ |
| 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. |
| EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
| 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. |
| CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
| For new awards the Selection Criteria in 34 CFR 644.21 are considered. Contact the program office for additional information. |
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General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |
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