Educational Opportunity Program

What is EOP?
The Educational Opportunity Program is designed to improve student academic support of low-income and educationally disadvantaged students. An EOP student has the potential to perform satisfactorily in the CSU but has not been able to realize this potential because of economic or educational background. The program provides admission, academic, and financial assistance to EOP-eligible undergraduate students.

What Can EOP Do For You?
EOP provides information to help you select a campus and assists you in completing the admission process. Once admitted as an EOP student, you can enroll in an EOP summer program to strengthen your math, reading, or other skills.  Orientation sessions are provided to help you learn about campus services and programs. During your enrollment in college, you can receive counseling, tutoring, and advising services. If you are eligible, an EOP grant may be awarded.

Who May Apply?
Only low-income, disadvantaged students who need admission assistance and support services to succeed in college are admitted to EOP. They must demonstrate academic potential and motivation to succeed, be California residents, and meet the income criteria stated below.

EOP Income Criteria
EOP applicants should meet the low income guidelines listed below and demonstrate the family is unable to provide an annual contribution of more than $1,500 toward their college expenses. Applicants whose total family income exceeds the guidelines may be considered if their parent's contribution does not exceed $1,500. These guidelines are not intended to exclude disadvantaged students but to identify and give priority to the most financially needy applicants.

2005-06 EOP Family Income Guidelines*

For independent students with dependents other than, or in addition to, a spouse, use the income for the appropriate family size in the Dependent Student Category.

These guidelines reflect an income level that will generate an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of approximately $1500. For dependent applicants, this contribution is based solely on the parental income and does not take into account any parental assets nor does it assume any contribution from the student's income or assets. For independent applicants the contribution is based strictly on income with no consideration of available savings or other assets.

Because of the simplified nature of the income guidelines, it is possible that applicants who satisfy the preliminary income screening for EOP may not demonstrate need for purposes of student financial aid program eligibility. Dependent applicants whose parents have significant assets and who themselves have income and/or savings will be subject to higher contributions than that derived simply from the parent's income. Independent students with savings or other assets will also be subject to higher contributions.

*2005-06 table is based on the 2005-06 Expected Family Contribution (EFC) formulas for federal student financial aid.

Financial Assistance

EOP students who qualify for financial aid may receive an EOP grant. To be considered, you must apply for financial aid by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Apply as soon as possible after January 1, 2005, and before the CSU financial aid priority filing date of March 2, 2005. EOP grants will be awarded only as long as funds are available. You will have a better chance of receiving an EOP grant and other financial aid for which you are eligible if you apply before March 2, 2005.

Application for financial aid is a separate process from the EOP admission process. See "How to Apply" (below) for more information about materials required for your financial aid application. For additional information about financial aid, refer to the 2005-06 CSU undergraduate application booklet.

EOP Selection Procedure
Once your EOP file is complete, it will be reviewed carefully by a selection committee. The committee will consider such factors as disadvantaged background, financial need, academic performance, motivation, and potential for success in college. The committee may look for any contribution that you have made or intend to make to your community, work experience, or the career you wish to pursue. Be sure to complete all forms accurately to assist the committee in understanding your academic preparation and motivation.

Admission notices will be sent normally to fall applicants in May or June if they complete their files by campus priority deadlines. (Please check with the campus of your choice for specific campus deadlines.) Cal Poly San Luis Obispo accepts applications for fall quarter only.  Applicants from high schools that have year-round schedules should plan on completing their EOP application materials earlier than usual to accommodate the school calendar.

Interviews and Skills Assessment
Some campuses use interviews and/or skills assessment testing to help in determining the types of services you will require if admitted. The EOP Office at the campus to which you apply will notify you if an assessment is required during the selection process.

How to Apply

All EOP applicants must submit the application materials requested by the campus Admission and EOP Offices.  Applicants must also submit the materials requested by the Financial Aid Office if they wish to be considered for an EOP grant or other financial assistance. You are required to include your social security number on EOP forms by authority contained in Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Section 41201.

Admission Materials
Obtain a copy of the 2005-06 systemwide undergraduate application booklet and submit the following to the Admissions Office:

1. Part U--the undergraduate application for admission (complete Item 12)
2. $55 CSU application fee or fee waiver request form (EOPS transfers from CCC campuses should obtain fee waiver form from their community college EOPS Office);
3. High school and/or college transcripts, or GED score; and
4. SAT, SAT I or ACT test score

EOP Materials
In addition to the above materials, EOP applicants are to submit these forms:

1. Applicant Information Form
2. Nomination Form
3. Autobiographical Statement
4. Recommendation Form
5. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if financial aid is needed.*
   *(Available from high school counselors and college financial aid offices.)

Click here to go to a copy of the EOP Application (.pdf)
Click here to go to a copy of the EOP Form (.pdf)

*All EOP applicants should submit the 2005-06 FAFSA. It is used to determine EOP income eligibility. The same FAFSA can be used to determine eligibility for financial aid (see section below). EOP may request other forms of documentation if the FAFSA is not submitted.

EOP application deadlines vary from campus to campus. Check with the EOP and/or admission office at the campus you wish to attend for the EOP application deadline. The Applicant Information Form and Autobiographical Statement should be sent to EOP in the attached envelope, and the Nomination and Recommendation Forms should be sent to EOP by the person(s) completing them.

Financial Aid Materials
If you are applying for financial aid, the following materials must be submitted:

1. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (submit by March 2, 2005),
   The FAFSA is available on the Web at www.csumentor.edu/finaid;
2. The "Student Aid Report" (SAR) you will receive from the federal processor.

Apply early. To receive priority consideration, the FAFSA form should be sent directly to the processing service listed on the form prior to March 2, 2005. Be sure to submit a verified grade point average (GPA) to the California Student Aid Commission by March 2, 2005, to apply for a Cal Grant.

You should promptly submit the required income verification and any other documents requested by the campus Financial Aid Office as soon as possible.

• List of educational Opportunity Program addresses, contacts, and phone numbers by campus