As a result of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960's, one of the emerging issues was the lack of access to higher education for many students affected by language, social and economic barriers.

Many of these students came from high schools and communities that did not provide the environment, or have the necessary resources, to prepare them to compete in college or university.

In 1969, the California Legislature (SB 164, Alquist) established the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) with the intent of "extending the opportunities for community college education to all who may profit thereof, regardless of economic, social and educational status."

EOPS encourages the enrollment of low-income and educationally disadvantaged students into institutions of higher learning. EOPS is a state-funded, services-oriented program. It combines financial assistance with support services designed to inform, recruit, admit, and academically motivate low-income and educationally disadvantaged full-time students to pursue a college education.

The focus of the EOPS program at Ventura College is to provide the necessary resources to students, so that they may successfully complete their educational objectives.