EOP Application Process
The Educational Opportunity Program application process for summer 2024 is now closed.
To be considered for admission into the Educational Opportunity Program, please determine your residential, academic and income eligibility below. Once you have confirmed your eligibility, please complete steps 1-4 for review.
To be eligible for admission into EOP, you must meet the following criteria:
- Must be a New York State resident for 12 months prior to enrollment;
- Must be a first-semester student and participate in our Pre-Freshman Institute;
- Must be educationally disadvantaged as determined by established EOP criteria;
- Must have a GPA range of 72 and above (exceptions are allowed on a case by case basis)
- Must demonstrate potential for completing a college program; and
- Must be economically disadvantaged as determined by the state-established criteria for the Educational Opportunity Program as defined in the drop-down box below.
New York State has laid out specific income guidelines that dictate eligibility for the EOP program. Please review this info carefully.
| Household Size (including head of household) | Total Annual Income in Previous Calendar Year |
|---|---|
| 1 | $26,973 |
| 2 | $36,482 |
| 3 | $45,991 |
| 4 | $55,500 |
| 5 | $65,009 |
| 6 | $74,518 |
| 7 | $84,027 |
| 8 | $93,536* |
| *For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $9,509 for each additional person. | |
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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 Family Day Care payments through the New York State Office of Children and Family Assistance
- The student is in foster care as established by the court;
- The student is a ward of the state or county.
Step 1: Applying
Submit the EOP Application & Financial Verification in addition to the OCC general admission application. Please note that all forms in relation to EOP are to be filled out electronically.
Step 2: Recommendations
Please have this form filled out by two adults who can speak on your behalf, such as a guidance counselor, a teacher, or a community organization advocate you have worked with.
You will need to provide the following documents the tax year to verify the information reported on the form.
| If you reported: | You must attach: |
|---|---|
| You are a non-U.S. citizen and a permanent resident | Form I-551 (Alien Registration Card) |
| You are in foster care | Letter or court document from the gov't, courts, private agency responsible for your support |
| You are a ward of the court or county | Letter or court document from the gov't, courts, private agency responsible for your support |
| You are an emancipated minor or in legal guardianship | Court order or legal document |
| You are married | Certificate of Marriage |
| You are on active duty | Military orders |
| You are a U.S. veteran | Form DD214 |
| You have been determined to be homeless |
- Homeless youth determination from your high school or school district homeless liaison or - Homeless youth determination from the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or - Homeless youth determination from the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program |
| Income from wages, tips, dividends, interest, rental, business profits |
If tax return filed: - IRS form 1040 including all schedules or official transcript of tax returns If no tax return filed: - Forms W-2 or 1099 and - IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter
Can retrieve these documents via the IRS. |
| Income from disability benefits, a pension, annuity, or unemployment benefits |
- Letter from the appropriate institution stating applicable year's total award (if not already reported on a tax return) - Disabilities statement |
| Child support, maintenance, or alimony | Signed affidavit, court order or legal document indicating amount of child support and/or alimony |
| Public assistance | A signed letter from the agency stating applicable year's total award and names of recipients |
| Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, or Veterans Non-education Benefits | SSA Form 1099 or letter from the agency stating applicable year's total award for each member of the household including names of individuals |
| No income |
- IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter - You may be contacted for additional information |
| Unusual circumstances | Notarized letters, statements, death certificates, etc. that corroborate claims |