What is The Educational Opportunity Program?

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at SUNY Oswego identifies prospective students who have the potential to succeed in college, but do not qualify for admission using traditional standards.  Additionally, applicants for EOP consideration must meet special admissions procedures and must also be from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.

Please Note: EOP is an admissions program.  It is not a financial aid program and financial eligibility does not guarantee admissions.

Eligibility

To be eligible for admission through EOP a student must meet the following conditions:

• Be a New York State resident for at least 12 months prior to enrollment. 
• Have received a high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Be ineligible for admission under traditional standards, but demonstrate potential to complete a college program.
• Be economically disadvantaged according to New York State EOP financial guidelines.

ADMISSION THROUGH EOP

Freshmen Students
Transfer Students
Support Services

Freshmen Students

Freshmen seeking admission into EOP at Oswego must provide the following documentation:

1. Application for Admission (SUNY Application or Common Application)
2. Official High School transcript (78 average or better recommended) or GED (250 / 2500 score or better is required).*
3. Official SAT or ACT scores.
4. 2 letters of recommendation. 
5. An autobiographical essay.
6. SUNY Oswego Supplemental to the SUNY Application.
7. Verification of household income by using the EOP Personal Data Form and by also providing photocopies of federal income tax, Social Security, Social Services, etc.
8. Student must file for financial aid using the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

* GED scores taken in 2002 and thereafter must be 2500 or better

NOTE: Decisions for admission through EOP cannot be made without verification of household income.  Consult the income guidelines for EOP in the SUNY Application & Viewbook.  Financial eligibility does not guarantee admission.  Return to top.

Educational Opportunity Summer Program (freshmen only)

Enrollment at SUNY Oswego for fall 2010 is contingent upon the successful completion of the mandatory EOP summer program.  For specific questions contact the Office of Learning Services (OLS) at 315.312.3094 or olsinfo@oswego.edu

Transfer Students

How do I know if I'm eligible?

To be eligible for transfer admission into SUNY Oswego via EOP, the following conditions must be met:

Must have been enrolled in EOP, HEOP, College Discovery, SEEK or similar program at previous college attended.  The Office of Admissions verifies participation in one of the above programs with the previous college during the application process.

How do I become eligible if I attended a non-participating college?

The following SUNY institutions do not offer EOP programs:

Adirondack, Cayuga, Clinton, Columbia-Greene, Corning, Herkimer, Jamestown, Jefferson, Mohawk Valley, Nassau, Niagara, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan and Tompkins Cortland Community Colleges.

Students transferring from any of the above colleges must demonstrate that they would have met the eligibility criteria at the time they first entered college.  To do this, in addition to the admissions application and official college transcript(s), students must submit the following documentation:

Official High School transcript or GED scores
This information is reviewed to determine if the student would not have met the regular admissions requirements at the time they first entered college.  Generally, students completing a GED are considered to have automatically met the academic component for EOP consideration.
                                
                                 AND

Dependent students: Photocopies of your/ your parent(s) federal income tax return (1040), or a statement of income received (budget letter) from Social Services or Social Security, for the year prior to your first enrollment in college.1
                                   OR
Independent students: Submit photocopies of your federal income tax return (1040), or a statement of income received (budget letter) from Social Services or Social Security, for the year prior to your first enrollment in college.  Parent income is not required.2 

In some cases. documentation provided from the financial aid office of the previous college can suffice to determine financial eligibility status.

Special Notes:
1.  For example, if you first attended college in the fall of 2007, you would need to provide income documentation for the year 2006
2.  An independent student is one who was not supported by any parent at the time of their first enrollment in college.
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The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at SUNY Oswego is structured to offer every student a range of exciting opportunities as well as all the assistance students may need in the pursuit of their academic goals.  EOP is part of the Office of Learning Services (OLS), which is responsible for offering out-of-classroom academic services to all Oswego students. 

• Peer Assistants
  Every EOP freshman is assigned to work with a Peer Assistant.  Peer Assistants are successful sophomores who have trained to become facilitators in the transition from high school to college.  Each Peer Assistant works with 15 to 19 first-time freshmen.  Through these groups of freshmen, students develop a study, social and cultural network.  EOP freshmen participate in study groups and attend social and cultural events together.
• First Year Select
  Another exciting opportunity is First Year Select, a unique learning experience in which first-time freshmen enroll in pre-selected courses totaling twelve to fifteen credit hours.  Each pre-selected block of courses (consisting of groups of ten students) includes one General Education or Major requirement course, an English Composition course, a Math course, and a Strategies for College Learners course.

Although blocks vary every year, courses are selected to provide first-year experiences for Education, Science, Business, and Liberal Arts majors.  Although First Year Select is a campus wide initiative, about 50% of the participants are EOP students.  Through First Year Select, first-time freshmen have an opportunity to quickly become part of the campus community and to begin to meet faculty and students in their respective majors.  First Year Select students also receive free tickets for some performances and cultural events on campus.

Other services available for EOP students through the office of Learning Services include:

• Academic Planning Counseling Services:
  Each EOP student is assigned to work with an academic planning counselor who assists students in identifying academic needs, career choices, and in beginning necessary planning for accomplishing their academic goals.
• Access to a state of the art computer lab:
  A twenty-station computer lab is available only for students working with the Office of Learning Services, which insures that the equipment is available when the students need it.
• Enrollment in courses that provide additional assistance in Math, English and Study Skills.  Some Math courses are computer mediated to facilitate learning and to acquire computer literacy skills.
• Free tutoring for any course.
• Assistance in improving writing skills through the OLS Writing Center.
• Free participation in a variety of workshops and lectures.

For Additional Admissions information,
write or call:

Office of Admissions
229 Sheldon Hall
SUNY Oswego
Oswego, New York 13126
Phone: 315-312-2250     Fax: 315-312-3260
Email: admiss@oswego.edu

For Additional Support Services information,
write or call:

OFFICE OF LEARNING SERVICES
P106 Campus Center
SUNY Oswego
Oswego, New York 13126
Phone: 315.312.3094     Fax: 315.312.5676
Email: olsinfo@oswego.edu
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