EOP
Economic Eligibility
A student is economically disadvantaged if he/she is a member of a
household supported by one member thereof with a total annual income
that does not exceed the applicable amount set forth in Table A; or a
household supported by more than one worker thereof, Tables B & C,
or a household in which one worker is the sole support of a one-parent
family, Tables B & C, if the total income of such household does not
exceed the applicable amount set forth by no more than $2,500. For the
purposes of this evaluation, the members of a household shall be
determined by ascertaining the number of individuals living in the
student’s residence who are economically dependent on the income, as
defined below, to support the student.
Except as otherwise provided, income means all taxable and
non-taxable funds that are received by the household for general use.
Such funds may be delivered from such sources as wages, dividends,
interest, social security, disability pensions, veterans benefits and
unemployment benefits.
The following shall not constitute income: (1) funds received
specifically for educational purposes from sources such as social
security, veteran’s cost of educational benefits, and educational grants
from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, and (2) Social Services
or Public Assistance payments received through the Aid of Dependent
Children, Home Relief and Family Day Care programs.
The income figures do not include the student’s income unless he/she
is the head of household or the second worker supporting the household.
The income figures in the following tables apply to the student
applicant’s income only when he/she is an independent student as defined
in Federal Regulations.
Economic Eligibility Criteria for First-time EOP Students
Income Guidelines
The table below lists financial eligibility requirements for EOP
admission for students entering the fall 2010 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 in the applicable category
or the student's circumstances must conform to one of the exceptions
indicated.
|
Total annual income in prev. calendar year*
|
|
Household Size
(Including head of household)
|
Category A
|
Categories B
|
Category C
|
| 1 |
$16,060 |
$21,630 |
$24,420 |
| 2 |
$21,630 |
$27,200 |
$29,990 |
| 3 |
$27,210 |
$32,780 |
$35,570 |
| 4 |
$32,790 |
$38,360 |
$41,150 |
| 5 |
$38,360 |
$43,930 |
$46,720 |
| 6 |
$43,960 |
$49,530 |
$52,320 |
| 7 |
$49,500* |
$55,070* |
$57,860* |
| * Plus $5,570 for
each additional family member in excess of seven. |
|
* subject to approval of the New York State Board of
Regents
|
Household Categories
A. Supported by one or more individuals whose combined total annual
income is from Social Security or sources other than employment and
which does not exceed the applicable amount under "Category A" above.
B. Supported by one or more worker(s) whose combined total annual
income does not exceed the applicable amount under "Category B" above.
C. For households supported by one worker with two or more employers,
which does not exceed the applicable amount under "Category C" above.
Income Guidelines Also 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 Family Day Care payments through the New York State Office
of Children and Family Assistance;
* The student lives with foster parents who do not provide support for
college and the student’s natural parents provide no such support;
* The student is a ward of the state or county.
For purposes of this section, an independent student is defined in
one of the following two categories
1. (a) A single undergraduate student with no dependents who has not
been listed and will not be listed as an exemption for Federal Income
Tax purposes by any person, except his or her spouse, for the calendar
year in which aid is received and the two calendar years prior to the
academic year for which aid is requested and demonstrates to EOP and
financial aid administrators total self-sufficiency during the two
calendar years preceding the academic year in which the initial award
will be granted by demonstrating annual total resources (including all
resources other than from parents) of at least $4,000;
(b) A student who has legal dependents other than a spouse:
(c) A student who is a married individual and declares that he/she
will not be claimed as a dependent for income tax purposed by his/her
parents or guardians for the calendar year in which participation in the
opportunity program commences;
(d) A student who is a veteran of the armed forces of the United
States;
(e) A student, for whom an EOP and financial aid administrator have
made a satisfactory, documented determination of independence by reason
of other extraordinary circumstances.
2. A student who is an orphan or is a ward of the court.
A maximum of 15% of the students admitted to an Opportunity
Program may come from families whose income exceeds the family income
listed in the applicable table when warranted by unusual and extenuating
circumstances, documented by a disinterested, reliable party and judged
appropriate by the EOP Director in cooperation with the financial aid
officer. Supporting documents shall be on file at the institution before
enrollment is permitted.
The following conditions may be considered:
1. Serious mismanagement of the family’s income that results in little
available funds to support the student’s educational costs. Written
verification must be obtained from a disinterested, reliable party such
as a social worker, lawyer, clergyman, counselor, or judge, who is
knowledgeable about the student’s financial status.
2. A one-time income fluctuation in a family with a history of low
income, due to such causes as insurance settlements and severance pay.
Satisfactory evidence that a household’s income in the calendar year
prior to the calendar year used for determining the student’s economic
eligibility fall within the limits of the applicable household income
scale shall be sufficient to establish the existence of a one-time
fluctuation in household income, provided that there is satisfactory
proof of a history of low income.
3. Families with long-term medical obligations such as maintenance of
mentally or physically handicapped children.
4. Families that must maintain two households, one for the wage
earner and one for dependents.
5. Families where their contribution as computed from base year
financial data by a United States Education Department approved needs
analysis system indicates no contribution other than the minimum
expectations from student income for independent students, or a zero
parental contribution for dependent students.
A list of all students included as fifteen percent exceptions must be
forwarded to the Office of Special programs by October 15th of the Fall
semester and within 30 days after the close of registration in any
other semester of admission. The justification materials must be placed
in accessible files in the campus financial aid office and the EOP
Directors office.
