The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) is a state-funded program for New York State Residents (12 months before enrollment) who graduated with a high school diploma or have a high school equivalency diploma. The purpose of this program is to help students who face additional obstacles in higher education succeed academically and graduate. Prospective students must also meet family income guidelines.
EOP assists with mentorship, academic programs, financial assistance, counseling/advising, and other campus support services for college students from low-income and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. The primary objective is to provide access and additional resources to postsecondary education. The EOP program identifies, evaluates, and recruits eligible students and empowers them to complete a higher education experience. EOP is typically an extended program (bachelors in ten semesters or associates in six semesters) to enhance student success. Students study full-time, enrolling in at least 12 credit hours per semester. Students MUST participate in a 4–6-week summer prep program as part of their entrance process. They are expected to be tutored and advised throughout their studies at Alfred State.
Essential to EOP is direct financial aid. For each student, a financial aid package is planned, which may include grants from EOP, Pell, and Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). All EOP students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application at fafsa.gov
*The EOP program does not guarantee full coverage of a student’s college financial obligation.
