Location:  Haggerty Administration Building, Room 19
Phone: 845-257-3220 or 845-257-3226
Fax: 845-257-3273
Email: eop@newpaltz.edu

What is EOP?

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) is a New York State-sponsored program designed to assist students who show promise and potential for academic success at the college level yet demonstrate both an academic and historical financial need for assistance in order to attend college. EOP is not a financial aid or scholarship program.

EOP at New Paltz

Our Mission

The EOP serves as a primary vehicle to increase access, retention, and academic excellence of New York's historically underserved students (low income, first generation). This is in keeping with the spirit of, and abiding by, the legislative intent that originally established the program in 1968 and maintaining the innovation inherent in the program.

We provide:

  1. ACCESS opportunities for historically underserved students by making higher education a possibility for prospective students with potential for academic excellence.
  2. ADVOCACY and education to address the needs of EOP students.
  3. A TRANSITIONAL EXPERIENCE that will empower students to better manage and navigate the college experience.
  4. SUPPORT SERVICES to facilitate student success.
  5. EOP GRANTS to eligible students, who should also receive the highest priority for financial aid resources available from the institution.

Our Vision

In collaboration with SUNY New Paltz, the Educational Opportunity Program staff will serve as advocates for historically underrepresented and underserved student access to higher education. EOP provides services designed to meet student needs and develop and achieve educational goals. We assist students in acquiring the necessary skills, knowledge, and attributes to enter and complete a postsecondary education, while providing an environment that recognizes the diversity of backgrounds and learning styles of our students. Our development of collaborative institutional relationships promote an environment conducive to the completion of a postsecondary degree.

Our Goal

The goal of EOP at New Paltz is to provide the most comprehensive support to our students within the Guiding Principles of Student Affairs.

Our Promise

EOP is committed to the ongoing education of the whole student. Personal growth and development are integral to academic excellence, lifetime achievement, and well-being. The P.I.L.L.A.R.S. (Providing Insight for Learning, Living, Achieving, and Recognizing my Strengths) model of student advisement ensures that the advisor/student collaboration provides a strong foundation for continued success and personal growth in all aspects of our students' lives: Present and Future. "Once EOP...Always EOP!"

EOP Admission Criteria

General Requirements

  • You must be a legal resident of New York State for 12 months prior to enrollment.
  • You must attend and graduate from a New York State-recognized high school.
  • You must be eligible academically and financially to be reviewed for EOP admission.

EOP Freshmen Information

Freshmen Academic Eligibility Requirements

The Office of Undergraduate Admission will make a determination on your academic eligibility for EOP admission. 

You must have a minimum of a 75.0 cumulative high school average in the following college preparatory program:

  • 4 units of English
  • 3-4 units of social studies/history
  • 3-4 units of mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II/Trigonometry)
  • 3-4 units of science (three units of lab science)
  • 2-4 units of a language other than English

Academic Eligibility Decision

If you are found academically eligible, your application will be forwarded to the SUNY New Paltz Financial Aid Office for a review of your family financial eligibility for EOP.

If you are found academically ineligible (your high school average and SAT or ACT score exceed the maximum allowed for EOP at SUNY New Paltz), you will be notified by the Office of Undergraduate Admission and your application will be reviewed under the admission criteria for General Freshman Admission.

Freshmen Family Financial Eligibility

The Office of Student Financial Services will make a determination on your financial eligibility for EOP admission. 

If you are found both financially and academically eligible for EOP admission consideration, your application will be forwarded to the SUNY New Paltz EOP Office for a final admission decision.

If you are found financially ineligible (your family income and assets exceed the allowed income/assets level), your application will be removed from EOP consideration and reviewed under the criteria for General Freshman Admission by the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

EOP Transfer Information

Transfer Academic Eligibility Requirements

If you are attending or have attended another college, have been enrolled in an EOP, HEOP, or SEEK program, and are a New York State resident, you may apply for EOP transfer admission. You must meet the following:

Transfer Family Financial Eligibility

The EOP Office and the Office of Student Financial Services will make a determination of your financial eligibility for EOP admission. 

Apply to the Educational Opportunity Program

Use one of these applications:

What to Submit with Your Application

Freshman Applicants
  • Your official high school transcript 
  • Your essay as part of the Common Application or as part of the SUNY Supplemental Application.
  • Recommendation letter from your guidance counselor/college advisor or teacher.

Also:

Transfer Applicants
  • All official college transcripts
  • Your official high school transcript (to verify your New York State residency).

Also:

Application Due Dates

Freshman Applicants
  • Fall Admission: May 1

  • SUNY New Paltz does not have a spring EOP freshman class.

Transfer Applicants
  • Fall Admission: May 1
  • Spring Admission: December 1

Important Information for All Applicants

  • The Offices of Undergraduate Admission, EOP, and Student Financial Services at New Paltz use email as our official method of communication. In order to ensure that you receive all communications related to your application, please make sure the email address provided on your application is correct, and add SUNY New Paltz to your address book to avoid emails from newpaltz.edu being sent to spam folders.
  • The requirements published here are for SUNY New Paltz only. Other SUNY, CUNY, and New York independent colleges will have different requirements for EOP, SEEK, or HEOP.