EOC Overcoming Barriers Scholarship

Funder: Texarkana College Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), with support from community donations (e.g., Texarkana Housing Authority)

Geographic Scope: Bowie and Cass County residents in Texas

Program Status: Active and ongoing since at least 2018

Overview:
The Overcoming Barriers Scholarship is a signature scholarship program established by TC's Educational Opportunity Center to provide financial support to students facing unexpected expenses and financial strains that might otherwise cause them to drop out. Donations from Bowie and Cass County businesses and residents fund this scholarship.

Eligibility:

• All participants of the EOC program may apply
• Selection criteria include:
  • Academic achievement
  • Community and school involvement
  • Character
  • Demonstration of financial need
  • Adherence to scholarship criteria
• Recipients are selected by a committee that interviews each eligible applicant

Focus Areas:

• Support for low-income and first-generation college students
• Students enrolled in higher education programs

Program Contact:

• Educational Opportunity Center Director: Lee Williams, III
• Address: Texarkana College, 2500 North Robison Road, Texarkana, TX 75599
• Phone: (903) 823-3456
• Website: https://www.texarkanacollege.edu/educational-opportunity-center/

Background:
The EOC is a federally funded TRIO program established in 2016 with support from a US Department of Education grant. Services are provided free of charge to eligible participants. Since 2016, EOC participants have secured over $100,000 in external scholarships combined.

Application Process

How to Apply:

1. Enroll as a participant in the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) program at Texarkana College
2. Complete the scholarship application (specific form/process details not provided in source materials)
3. Participate in an interview with the selection committee
4. Application will be reviewed based on:
   • Academic achievement
   • Community and school involvement
   • Character
   • Demonstration of financial need
   • Adherence to scholarship criteria

Required Materials:
Not specified in available documentation

Contact for Application Details:

• EOC Director: Lee Williams, III
• Phone: (903) 823-3456
• Email: Contact through Texarkana College main line
• Website: https://www.texarkanacollege.edu/educational-opportunity-center/