EOP
Economic Eligibility
Economic Documentation | Educational 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.
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Total annual income in prev. calendar year*
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Household Size |
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. | |||
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* subject to approval of the New York State Board of Regents |
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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.