Student Services:

Educational Opportunity Programs

The Walker Center for Academic excellence provides services to students through the support and funding of three Educational Opportunity Programs (EOPs):


These programs support the academic, personal, and career growth of students. Some Walker Center programs and services are available only to those students who meet the EOP eligibilty guidelines.

To find out if you are eligible to participate in any EOP, contact the Walker Center for Academic Excellence at 888-GO-PEIRCE, x9251 or WCAE@peirce.edu.


ACT 101

The Pennsylvania legislature established the Higher Education Equal Opportunity Program (Act 101) in 1971 to support undergraduate students facing economic and academic challenges.

Institutions that receive Act 101 funding recruit highly-motivated students who show the potential to succeed in college. Through tutoring, counseling, academic advising, academic and career workshops, and cultural enrichment activities, Act 101 students develop personally and academically to successfully meet their goals.

In 1971, the Act 101 program served 1,124 students at 31 institutions with an appropriation of $1 million. Since then, the financial commitment of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has enabled Act 101 to grow.

Peirce College has been receiving Act 101 funding for over 10 years. Today, Act 101 funds provide services to approximately 100 Peirce students. These funds provide eligible students the following services:

  • the annual K. Leroy Irving Statewide Student Leadership Conference
  • academic advising and counseling
  • tutoring and supplemental Instruction (SI)
  • academic, career, leadership, and personal development workshops
  • career development services
  • a laptop borrowing program
  • the annual Walker Center for Academic Excellence student leadership retreat
  • cultural events
  • the annual Walker Center for Academic Excellence awards ceremony

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Student Support Services (TRIO)

Student Support Services is a Federal TRIO program serving economically disadvantaged, first-generation, and/or disabled college students. The mission of the program is to increase the retention and graduation rates of program students.

Examples of programs and services offered to SSS eligible students include:

  • TRIO Achiever Award (awardees selected by the SSS Grant Counselor/Administrator)
  • PAEOPP Scholarship (potential recipients identified by the SSS Grant Counselor/Administrator)
  • SSS Grant Aid (recipients identified by the SSS Grant Counselor/Administrator)
  • academic advising and counseling
  • tutoring and Supplemental Instruction (SI)
  • academic, career, leadership, and personal development workshops
  • Career Development Services
  • cultural events
  • Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society for students who meet the eligibility requirements
  • a laptop borrowing program
  • an annual student leadership retreat
  • the annual Walker Center for Academic Excellence awards ceremony

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Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Grant

The Perkins Grant is a federal grant funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Its mission is to strengthen the academic and technical skills of students in vocational majors. The primary goal of the Perkins program is to increase the number of students achieving a 2.5 or higher Grade Point Average (GPA) in academic and vocational coursework.

Programs and services for Perkins students include the following:

  • international student services
  • academic advising and counseling
  • tutoring and Supplemental Instruction (SI)
  • academic, career, leadership, and personal development workshops
  • career development services
  • cultural events
  • Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society for students who meet the eligibility requirements
  • a laptop borrowing program
  • an annual student leadership retreat
  • the annual Walker Center for Academic Excellence awards ceremony

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