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EOP

Eligibility

Enrollees must have graduated from an approved high school or have obtained a New York State High School Equivalency Diploma, or its equivalent, such as an Armed Forces Equivalency Diploma.

In the absence of a diploma, an applicant must be able to demonstrate a level of knowledge and academic ability equal to the level deemed essential (1) for entrance to the Educational Opportunity Program at the campus of enrollment, and (2) for completion of twenty-four credit hours held by the State Education Department to be evidence that the general equivalency diploma has been earned.

(SED “Guidelines for the Granting of an Equivalency Diploma on the Basis of Earned College Credit” dated 7.28.72).

State Operated Colleges

The basic criteria for determining educational eligibility at the four-year colleges and university centers are:

• Non-admissibility under the college’s normally applied admission standard for matriculation status to the college or the applicant’s desired degree program; and
• Identified potential for successful completion of an academic program at the college.

Four year colleges, university centers and agricultural and technology colleges most commonly use the average rank in high school graduating classes and the results of a standard test (ACT or SAT) to determine admission. Cutoff scores for acceptance through regular admissions are to be indicated in each campus General Plan. However, applications may be judged on criteria such as the number of academic subjects studied in high school, the type of high school diploma or certificate received, location of high school, daily attendance patterns, age, responsibilities at home, counselor’s recommendation, art/athletic ability and other “special” talent or circumstances. When applicants cannot be admitted through regular admissions by the application of these multiple criteria, they become educationally eligible for the Educational Opportunity Program. Students completing a course of study at an Educational Opportunity Center are educationally disadvantaged. Proper documentation of the decision is to be filed in the applicant’s folder.

It is difficult to choose potentially successful students from applicants with poor academic histories. Colleges are encouraged to supplement usually employed measures of college success by using interviews, written statements from qualified observers, special talent indices (art, music, writing ability, etc.), diagnostic test results, and other records to determine the applicant’s motivational level and need for supportive services.

Community Colleges

In general, community colleges are “open door” institutions. Residents of the sponsorship area are usually assured the opportunity to begin study regardless of academic background. The colleges’ curricula range from developmental studies programs to two-year degree programs. Admissions criteria may vary by program.
Educational eligibility for EOP may be based upon the following criteria:

• Failure to meet standards for the major of choice.
• Results of locally administered tests.
• Lack of high school diploma or GED;
• Low high school average and class rank as defined in the local campus General Plan;
• Recommendation by the college for developmental course work;
• Receipt of remedial preparation from alternative programs such as EOC, Upward Bound, Adult Learning Centers and similar programs;
• Other indicators of academic deficiency as defined by local college policy in the campus General Plan;
• Each campus General Plan must contain criteria for determining admission to EOP. The Office of Special Programs must approve all plans. Determination of EOP status should be made as early as possible so that students may benefit from supportive services and financial aid.

Transfer Eligibility

Transfer applicants may be supported from EOP resources if they:

• Are transferring from an accredited college in New York State and are receiving academic/financial support services funded under legislation applicable to EOP/HEOP/SEEK or College Discovery Programs.
• Are now New York State residents who are enrolled on EOP-type programs that have similar requirements for admission, in other states. Documentation of their participation must be submitted to and approved by the Office of Special Programs prior to admission as EOP students.
• Was enrolled in a course of study at a college outside New York State that traditionally served under prepared students, and was educationally and economically disadvantaged at the time of admission. Eligibility must be documented by a statement from the college verifying that the student was both educationally and economically disadvantaged at the time of admission. This documentation must be forwarded to the Office of Special Programs for review and approval.
• Was admitted to a New York State college under the Full Opportunity Provision if the college does not have an Educational Opportunity Program. Documentation of their economic and educational eligibility for admission must be submitted to the admitting college prior to admission as an EOP student.

Part-Time Study

Educational Opportunity Program support is primarily for students enrolled for full-time study, but circumstances may indicate that part-time study is advisable. Entering freshmen requests for part-time study must be approved by the Office of Special Programs. The use of EOP funds to support part-time enrollment with financial aid, as determined by need, is authorized for students whose full-time enrollment has been interrupted, but whose course loads consist of six (6) credits or the equivalent. Minimum part-time enrollment is six-degree credits or the equivalent. Students should be encouraged to return to full-time study as soon as circumstances permit. After two semesters, the case must be forwarded to the Office of Special Programs for review.

Graduating seniors requiring less than a full-time course load are exempt from this requirement. At community colleges, Educational Opportunity Program financial aid rosters must indicate part-time students.

Period of Eligibility

Because EOP students may progress more slowly toward the completion of their degrees, the period of eligibility exceeds the standard length of the degree program in which the student is enrolled.

A full-time student enrolled in a two-year degree program is allowed six semesters or its equivalent number of trimesters, quarters or other units of opportunity eligibility. A full-time student enrolled in a four-year baccalaureate program is allowed ten semesters or its equivalent, and a student enrolled in a five-year program is allowed twelve semesters or the equivalent of EOP eligibility.

Part-time student eligibility is an exception as EOP encourages full-time study. However, in the event that full-time study is temporarily interrupted, a student taking less than nine (9) credit hours shall be considered to have used half a semester of eligibility. The above periods of eligibility are in addition to up to two terms of STAP, where applicable.