New York State Educational Opportunity Grant (EOP):

SUNY Ulster's Educational Opportunity Program provides academic support and financial aid to students who show promise for mastering college-level work. Offered primarily to full-time students who are New York State residents, EOP accepts students who qualify academically and financially for the program.

Eligibility:
To be eligible for admission to EOP, a student must be:

A New York State resident for 12 months prior to enrollment
Ineligible for admission under traditional standards, but demonstrate potential for completing a college program
In need of financial assistance within established income guidelines.

In selecting students for the program, priority is given to full-time applicants from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. If in the year prior to enrollment a family's income falls within EOP guidelines due to unemployment, separation, divorce or death of a parent, etc. a student may not qualify for EOP.

Required Records:
As part of the EOP admission process, a student's high school record and test scores will be reviewed, as well as other information about any other experiences that made an impact on a student's education. This information will help the EOP counselors evaluate a student's potential for success in a college program.

Support Services:
When you enroll as an EOP student, you receive special counseling regarding special tutoring, academic, career, and personal counseling. In addition, you receive financial aid (based on NYS budget) to help with the cost of room, board, books/supplies, transportation and personal expenses.

Transfers:
A student may be eligible for EOP as a transfer student provided that the student was enrolled in EOP, HEOP, College Discovery, SEEK, or a similar program at a previous college. A student must have the prior college(s) complete the EOP Transfer Form.

Income Guidelines:
The table below lists financial eligibility requirements for EOP admission during the 2005-06 academic year. To be economically disadvantaged, a student must belong to a household that is defined in Category A, B, or C, or the exceptions noted below.

EOP FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY
HOUSEHOLD SIZE (including head of household)	TOTAL ANNUAL INCOME IN PREVIOUS CALENDAR YEAR*
HOUSEHOLD SIZE (including head of household)	Category A	Category B	Category C
1	$14,100	$18,900	$20,700
2	19,600	$24,400	$26,200
3	22,350	27,150	28,950
4	27,800	32,600	34,400
5	32,850	37,650	39,450
6	38,550	43,350	45,150
7	42,900*	47,700*	49,500*
*Plus $4,350 for each additional family member

Household Categories:

A. ~ Supported by one or more individuals whose combined 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 more than 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.

The 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; or of Family Day Care payments through the New York State Office of Children and Family Assistance or a county Department of Social Services;

The student lives with foster parents who do not provide support for college and the student's natural parents provide no such support;

You are a ward of the state or county.