TJC TRIO Program Receives $1.18 Million Federal Grant

TYLER — Tyler Junior College’s TRIO program has received an Educational Opportunity Center grant from the U.S. Department of Education to help thousands of adults get a degree or return to college for additional training. According to a news release, TJC is one of only 35 first-time recipients nationwide to receive this federally funded grant. The selection process for the EOC grant was very competitive as only 143 of 376 eligible proposals were funded, said Brad Gifford, TJC TRIO project director. The grant is a five-year award to TJC, in the amount of $235,999 per year for a total of $1,179,995 over the entire grant cycle. The grant will serve a four-county area including Smith, Cherokee, Van Zandt and Wood counties.

The Educational Opportunity Center will be located on the TJC West Campus and employ four people to provide services to more than 1,000 participants per year. The center will provide college and vocational guidance to adults who may not otherwise quickly decipher the steps needed for vocational or college admissions and continued success through completion of a vocational program or college graduation, according to the news release.