The Educational Opportunity Program

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) is an academic department of Marquette University that assists first-generation college students, underrepresented students and students whose families meeting federally established income guidelines to succeed in higher education. EOP manages five major TRIO grants from the U.S. Department of Education, all of which share the common purpose of making a college education a realistic option for eligible students.

EOP College Programs

EOP administers two programs designed specifically to assist students while attending Marquette University.

EOP Student Support Services

EOP Student Support Services provide a network of services designed to increase the probability that each student succeeds in the university. Support services include need-based financial aid, a pre-freshman summer program, academic advising, specialized courses and tutoring, as well as personal and career counseling. Students may apply to EOP-SSS when they apply for admission to Marquette University, after completion of the Marquette application or even after beginning studies at Marquette. The majority of EOP-SSS students enroll as entering freshmen and participate in the EOP-SSS summer program. For application information, call (414) 288-7593.

EOP McNair Scholars Program

The McNair Scholars Program is a federally funded program designed to provide disadvantaged college students with effective preparation for doctoral study. Students can apply in their sophomore or junior year at Marquette, and they will remain McNair Scholars until graduation. Once accepted into the McNair Scholars program, students receive help with tasks that are critical for successful graduate school application and matriculation through a system of integrated services to help develop students’ academic, research, and communication skills. The McNair Scholars Program features activities, support services, and experiences that aim to equip students for productive futures. 

EOP Precollege Programs

College Bound Scholars

EOP also administers four Pre-College Programs—Upward Bound Classic, Upward Bound Math Science, Educational Talent Search, RISE, SOAR, and CHAMPS. These programs support, guide and empower first-generation, income-eligible young men and women as they strive for successful high school completion, post-secondary enrollment and graduation, and life-affirming careers and futures.

Upward Bound (UBC)

The Upward Bound Classic Program prepares high school students who are low-income and first-generation college students to enter and successfully complete college. The program works with students, their parent(s) and their school to help develop self-confidence, self-discipline and the responsible nature needed to build a strong foundation for high school, college and life.

Upward Bound Classic offers specialized classes, tutorials, college placement assistance, career development labs, academic and personal counseling, and social/cultural activities and trips. Students are recruited from the Milwaukee area during their eighth-grade year. For further information on UB, call (414) 288-7368 or email ub@marquette.edu.

Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS)

The Upward Bound Math Science Program prepares high school students who are low-income and first-generation college students to enter and successfully complete college. The program works with students, their parent(s) and their school to help develop self-confidence, self-discipline and the responsible nature needed to build a strong foundation for high school, college and life. The UBMS Program is designed for students with a serious interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Students are recruited from the Milwaukee area during their ninth-grade year. For further information on UBMS, call (414) 288-7368 or email ubms@marquette.edu.

Educational Talent Search (ETS)

The Educational Talent Search Program identifies and assists secondary students from diverse economic backgrounds and provides academic, career and financial counseling. The program seeks to increase persistence in and graduation from a high school with a rigorous curriculum for all project participants. ETS aim to increase participants ability to apply for admission and be admitted to postsecondary institutions, persist in and graduate from college. The programming and academic enrichment occur within target schools in the Milwaukee area. For further information on Educational Talent Search, call (414) 288-7368 or email talentsearch@marquette.edu.

S.A.M.M. (Science, Arts, and Mathematics at Marquette)

The SAMM (Science, Arts, and Mathematics at Marquette) Summer Camp is a two-week immersive experience designed to spark middle school students' interest in STEAM fields. Through hands-on projects, engaging workshops, and college readiness activities on Marquette University's campus, students will build academic skills, explore creative problem-solving, and gain early exposure to college life to prepare for future success.  (Grades 6-8)

C.H.A.M.P.S Male Mentoring Program

The mission of the C.H.A.M.P.S. Male Mentoring Program is to Educate, Empower and Expose Boys and Young Men of Color beyond the four walls of the school in order to help them to achieve their dreams and goals.

C.H.A.M.P.S. Male Mentoring Program envisions a safe environment for every young man by developing their mindsets through culturally relevant conversations and interactions that help them develop the skills and habits necessary to navigate life in a positive and productive way.