Five-year U.S. Department of Education grant will support 1,100 students annually

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Sept. 28, 2026)–Kirkwood Community College has been awarded a five-year federal grant to continue its TRIO Educational Opportunity Centers program, providing free assistance to adults seeking to pursue college, career training and other postsecondary education opportunities.

Staring in the 2026/2027 academic year, the U.S. Department of Education will provide Kirkwood $308,000 annually to serve 1,100 participants throughout the college’s seven-county service area. The award, made through the department’s fiscal year 2026 Educational Opportunity Centers grant competition, totals more than $1.5 million over five years, subject to continued federal appropriations.

Educational Opportunity Centers, or EOC, are part of the Federal TRIO Programs and help adults navigate the process of entering or returning to postsecondary education. Services include assistance with college admissions, financial aid, career and program exploration and other steps involved in pursuing education or training beyond high school.

The program places particular emphasis on serving adults from low-income families and those who would be the first generation in their families to earn a four-year college degree.

“Many of the adults we work with know they want something more, but they may not know where to begin or what options are available to them,” said TRIO Program Director Scott Gay. “Applying to college, understanding financial aid or returning to school after years away can feel overwhelming, especially for someone who has never navigated higher education before. Our role is to help remove those barriers and turn that goal into a realistic plan. This grant allows us to continue being a resource for adults across our region who are ready to take that next step.”

Kirkwood’s EOC program has served the community since the fall of 2021, helping nearly 4,000 participants explore educational opportunities and connect with resources designed to support their long-term goals.

Through one-on-one guidance, EOC staff help participants identify education and career pathways, complete college applications, understand financial aid options and connect with institutions and training programs that meet their needs. Services are provided at no cost to participants.

The new grant ensures those services will continue to be available to adults throughout Kirkwood’s service area, which includes Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington counties.

The fiscal year 2026 TRIO grant competition followed nationwide efforts by TRIO professionals, students, alumni, institutions and members of Congress to support continued funding for the programs. Federal TRIO Programs are designed to expand access to and success in postsecondary education for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

For more information about TRIO EOC at Kirkwood, go to www.kirkwood.edu/eoc.