Extended Opportunity Programs & Services

The first step to apply for Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOP&S)is to fill-out and submit the FAFSA. You may also need to submit a separate EOPS application. Once the school determines your eligibility, they will usually send you a letter telling you that you qualify for the program. The letter will contain the requirements which you need to submit before you start getting your first book grant check and during the semester/quarter. However, each school might have a different process. If you don't receive a letter, go to your financial aid office and check on how they select the applicants from their program.

Note: I will be talking about the Extended Opportunity Programs that I did when I was in community college. The information presented here should not to be considered official. Use this information only as a guideline.

The first requirement that I did to stay in EOP&S was to take a learning skills class. This is a one unit class that teaches students valuable learning skills. This class was so useful to me that I discussed some of the most important things in my GPA section From what I remember, I did not get my grant until I enrolled in the class. The school will automatically know this since they have access to your student records. If you don't pass or finish the class, you may have to return any money you received and you might lose your eligibility to participate in the program.

Another requirement which I found useful was to see an academic advisor. You also need to do this requirement before you receive your first check. My advisor designed an education plan for me based on the academic major I wanted to take when I transfer to a four-year university. This plan was really valuable for me because if I didn't have it, I would be at a loss when picking classes. In addition, it gave an idea of how much time I have before I am able to transfer to a university. Getting an expert's advice on this matter also made me confident that I am not wasting my time on classes that I don't need.

Here are a list of other requirements which you may need:

• State residency
• Must have completed a certain number of units which may by school
• Enrolled at least full time
• Need to take an assessment test that is administered by the school

One thing to remember about this program is that it is only available for two school years. This means that even though your financial status has not changed, you will be out of the program once you have been in it for two years (it does not have to be consecutive). I give this program great importance not only for the monetary benefit that I received from it but also for the useful skills it gave me. I wouldn't have realized that I needed those skills to become a better student if the Book grant program did not require me to obtain them.