Eligibility
To be eligible for admission to EOP you must be:

• A New York State resident for 12 months prior to enrollment.
• Ineligible for admission under traditional standards, but demonstrate potential for completing a college program; and
• In need of financial assistance within legislated income guidelines. In selecting students for the program, priority is given to applicants from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. If in the year prior to enrollment your family income falls within EOP guidelines due to unemployment, separation, divorce or death of a parent, etc., you may still not qualify for EOP if you are not from an historically disadvantaged background.
• Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident.
• Have received a New York State high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Meet the Income Guidelines specified in the column below (priority will be given to "applicants from families characterized by historical, educational, economic and cultural disadvantagement").

Freshman Academic Guidelines

• Overall Cumulative GPA - 82+
• English Cumulative GPA - 82+
• Completed at least 3 units of Math including Algebra 2/Trigonometry or a higher level math course with a cumulative Math GPA of 85+
• Completed at least 3 units of Science
• SAT (optional): Total Score - 980+
• ACT (optional): Composite Score - 19+

Required Records
As part of the EOP admission process, your high school record and test scores (if needed) will be reviewed, as well as information about clubs, hobbies, jobs and any other experiences which made an impact on your education. This information will help college counselors evaluate your potential for success in a college program.

Transfer Academic Guidelines
A 2.8 grade point average AND a minimum of 18-24 academic credits at another accredited institution.

Transfer students are eligible for admission provided they have been enrolled in an EOP, College Discovery, HEOP (Higher Education Opportunity Program), or SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge) program.

Economic Eligibility Requirements
The table below lists the income guidelines for EOP admission for the 2021-22 academic year. 

Household Size	Income
1	$23,606
2	$31,894
3	$40,182
4	$48,470
5	$56,758
6	$65,046
7	$73,334
8	$81,622*

*For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $8,288 for each additional person.

 

Income Guidelines Do Not Apply If...

• The student’s family is the recipient of Family Assistance or Safety Net payments through the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance or through a county Department of Social Services; or of Family Day Care payments through the New York State Office of Children and Family Assistance or a county Department of Social Services;
• The student lives with foster parents who do not provide support for college and the student’s natural parents provide no such support;
• You are a ward of the state or county.

For more information, please visit Financial Aid.

Sample Financial Aid Package for academic year (fall and spring)

**amounts may vary based on what family reports on the FAFSA**
Grants (money you do not pay back):
PELL: $6196
TAP: $5165
SUNY Tuition Credit: $2030
EOP: $1700
SEOG: $1500

Loans (money you pay back):
Direct Subsidized: $3500
Direct Unsubsidized: $2000

Aid that is given directly to the student and is not directly applied to their bill:
EOP Book Stipend: $900
Federal Work Study (job on campus): $2500

Total in aid applied to bill: $22,091

Sample University Bill

**does not include university health insurance which is waived if already have a plan**
Tuition and Required Fees: $10, 175
Housing + Mandatory Meal Plan: $14,278

Total: $24,453

Sample of What You May Owe (with loans)

$24,453 ( University Bill) - $22,091 (Financial Aid Total with Grants and Loans)
= $2,362 (Balance for the year-fall/spring)
($1,181 per semester)

Sample of What You May Owe (without loans)

$24,453 ( University Bill) - $16,591 (Financial Aid Total with Grants Only)
= $7,862 (Balance for the year-fall/spring)
($3,931 per semester)

*Please note: There are additional loans that can be applied to help offset this balance. In addition, this does not take into consideration any scholarships that the student receives .**