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SUNY's Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)

You can succeed in college. EOP can help.

For more than 50 years, the State University of New York’s Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) has helped promising students overcome financial and academic barriers to attend a SUNY college, earn a degree, and achieve their life goals.

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EOP Provides Academic and Financial Support to Help You Succeed in College

As an EOP student, you’ll get proven, tailored support services to help you enroll and succeed in college, including:

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Hands-on academic and career advising, tutoring, and personal counseling to support you from enrollment through graduation
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Modest financial support to help close the gaps for things like textbooks and supplies
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A pre-freshman summer program to help you transition to college life
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A supportive, proud, and loyal community of fellow EOP students and alumni
Two male students stand together at college commencement with Proud To Be EOP ribbons on themselves.

Who is eligible for EOP?

If you’re facing academic or financial barriers to enrolling in college, EOP may be for you.

To be considered for admission to EOP, students must:

  • Be a New York State resident for 12 months prior to enrollment
  • Have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent
  • Be ineligible for admission under traditional admission standards - students who fall slightly below the criteria for general admission (academic eligibility varies by campus)
  • Qualify as economically disadvantaged according to income guidelines set by the NYS Education Department (financial eligibility is based on family income from prior-prior year)
  • Enroll as a full-time student

EOP Freshman Profiles

Who is eligible for EOP?

Students selected to participate in the Educational Opportunity Program have the potential and motivation to succeed in college.

To be considered for admission to EOP, students must:

  • Be a New York State resident for 12 months prior to enrollment
  • Have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent
  • Be ineligible for admission under traditional admission standards - students who fall slightly below the criteria for general admission (academic eligibility varies by campus)
  • Qualify as economically disadvantaged according to income guidelines set by the NYS Education Department (financial eligibility is based on family income from prior-prior year)
  • Enroll as a full-time student

EOP Freshman Profiles

The tables below lists financial eligibility requirements for EOP admission for students entering the 2024-25 academic year. Any subsequent changes to these guidelines will be posted here. In order to be determined economically disadvantaged, a student's household income must not exceed the amount shown for its size or the student's circumstances must conform to one of the exceptions indicated.

EOP Income Eligibility Guidelines
Academic Year 2025-26
Household Size
(including head of household)		 Total Annual Income
1 $27,861
2 $37,814
3 $47,767
4 $57,720
5 $67,673
6 $77,626
7 $87,579
8 $97,532*
*For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $9,953 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;
  • The student is in foster care as established by the court;
  • The student is a ward of the state or county.

Students who request consideration for SUNY's Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) on their application for admission must complete an EOP Financial Eligibility Review screening to determine whether you meet the financial eligibility requirements. You will be directed to the EOP Financial Eligibility Review portal after indicating your interest for consideration for EOP and have completed the application for admission, whether using the SUNY application, the Common application or applying to a SUNY campus that uses their own campus application for admission.

EOP enrolls more than 2,500 first-time, full-time freshmen each year and boasts more than 85,000 proud alumni. It is one of the highest performing college access programs in the country.

Learn more about the history of EOP

How to Apply

Step 1

Before applying, contact the admissions or EOP office at your SUNY campus of choice to learn more about the program and its eligibility requirements.

Step 2

Gather financial documentation to determine your eligibility. Campuses will require supplemental information to confirm your eligibility.

Step 3

Complete the regular SUNY Application, Common Application or Campus Application and check “yes” to indicate your interest in applying for the Educational Opportunity Program.

Get to know EOP

get to know eop brochure

Download the “Get to Know EOP” guide to learn more about EOP before applying.

Download guide

Talk to an EOP Ambassador

Learn what it’s like to be an EOP student by talking to one of our EOP Ambassadors, a group of current EOP students who serve as peer mentors and leaders. Reach out in one of the following ways and let us know you’d like to connect with an EOP Ambassador.

CHAT with us using the chat feature on this page

EMAIL us at asksuny@suny.edu

CALL us at 518.320.1888 or toll-free at 800.342.3811

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