Educational
Opportunity
Program
What is EOP?
The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) is a state-funded program for New York State residents (12 months before enrollment) who graduated with a high school diploma or have a high school equivalency diploma. This program helps students, who may face additional obstacles in higher education, succeed academically and graduate. Prospective students must also meet family income guidelines.
EOP assists with mentorship, academic programs, financial assistance, counseling/advising, and other campus support services for college students from low-income and educationally underprivileged backgrounds. The primary objective is to provide access and additional resources to postsecondary education. EOP recruits, identifies, and enrolls eligible students and empowers them to complete a higher education experience. EOP students can extend their time to a degree (bachelor's in ten semesters and associate's in six semesters) to enhance student success. Students study full time, enrolling in at least 12 credit hours per semester. Students MUST participate in the 4-week (minimum) Summer Prep Academy (SPA) as part of their admission.
Essential to EOP is direct financial aid. For each student, a financial aid package is planned, which may include grants from EOP, Pell, and Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)1. All EOP students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Application. The FAFSA must be completed annually throughout a student's college career.
1EOP does not guarantee full coverage of a student's college financial obligation.
Why Alfred State College EOP?
The benefits of EOP, for those who are eligible, make it an enrollment option that is highly recommended. Financial assistance is only one of the positive supports. Being part of the program means that you are becoming part of a family structure that will support you academically and personally not only while earning your degree based on your interests, but long afterward, as well.
Everyone learns differently and comes from secondary schools with varying missions and supports for education. EOP recognizes this and our program is designed to support each student as individuals by building success plans that will focus on each student's strengths and challenges from a learning perspective to enhance the attainment of your educational goals.
To begin your journey to success, every student who is accepted into EOP and accepts our offer by enrolling is required to fully participate in a 4-5 week residential summer program that will lay the foundation for your first year of college. SPA is typically held from the third week of July through the third week of Aug. During any given summer there are thousands of high school graduates that have been accepted into EOP across the state of New York that will be participating in their school of choice's summer program. You will not be alone!
EOP Benefits
The EOP program is a beacon of opportunity for students across diverse backgrounds. Here are some compelling reasons why EOP is a vital asset:
- Priority registration
- Academic, career, and personal counseling
- Book and calculator loans
- School supplies
- Assistance with Financial Aid, scholarships, and transfer applications
- Tutoring
- Help with the costs of textbooks
- Program benefit cards
- Referrals to campus and community resources
- People who care about your goals
EOP transforms lives by breaking down barriers, nurturing potential, and fostering resilience. It embodies the spirit of inclusion and empowers students to thrive.
Meet Our Staff
Our counselors here at Alfred State are committed to supporting your academic journey and ensuring your success.
Remember, these counselors are available for one-on-one advising, and you can reach out to them via email or schedule appointments below. Whether you need assistance with academics, financial aid, or career planning, the EOP staff is here to champion your success!
Shelby Aquilina EOP Academic Counselor
Student Success Center
Hunter Student Development Center
607-587-4140
School of Architecture, Management & Technology (SAMET)
Nadine Shardlow EOP Coordinator
Student Success Center
Hunter Student Development Center
607-587-4504
School of Architecture, Management & Technology (SAMET)
School of Arts and Sciences (SAS)
Lynn Hayes Mathematics Support Specialist
Student Success Center
Hunter Student Development Center
607-587-4128
Mathematics, Statistics & Accounting
Savannah Heckman EOP Academic Counselor
Student Success Center
Hunter Student Development Center
607-587-4080
School of Arts and Sciences
Eligibility
New Students
New Student Application Checklist
Students who would like to be considered for EOP should check the appropriate box on the SUNY Application indicating their interest.
- EOP Financial Information Form
- Apply for Financial Aid
- Process your Financial Aid
Transfer Students
Transfer Student Application Checklist
- SUNY Transfer Student Resource Guide
- Transfer Student Application
- EOP Financial Information Form
- Apply for Financial Aid
- Process your Financial Aid
After you receive your final grades for your college courses taken at your current and previous institution(s), you should go to the main websites for the institution or organization that is granting the college credit (college or university website, College Board, etc.). Request that your scores/transcripts be sent to Alfred State. For more information, please visit our transfer webpage or contact Jason White, Transfer Advisor, by phone at 607-587-3954 or by email.
Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society
Chi Alpha Epsilon was formed to recognize the academic achievements of students admitted to colleges and universities through non-traditional criteria. Its purposes are to promote continued high academic standards, to foster increased communication among its members, and to honor academic excellence achieved by those students admitted to college via developmental programs. Programs sponsored by the society encourage other students toward this accomplishment. The honor society also has the potential to be a significant political force in the support of funding for developmental studies nationwide.
Membership to Chi Alpha Epsilon is offered through local campus chapters to eligible students and alumni. Full-time students who hold a 3.0 cumulative GPA for two consecutive semesters and were admitted to the college via developmental or higher education opportunity types of programs are eligible for membership.
EOP Details
EOP Student Ambassadors
Norman R. McConney, Jr. Award
The honor is named in memory of Norman R. McConney, Jr., a graduate of the University at Albany and former assistant dean for special programs at SUNY. McConney, alongside former Assembly Deputy Speaker Arthur O. Eve, helped create the EOP as a statewide program that has served 75,000 New Yorkers to date from underprivileged backgrounds.
Become a SPA Peer Mentor
Peer Mentors
Peer Mentors are students who are interested in helping to support others, build resume experience, and foster and expand leadership skills. The position begins with SPA and continues throughout the academic year.
Q: What is an Academic Peer Mentor?
An Academic Peer Mentor is a senior student who has also recently transitioned successfully to tertiary education. They provide you with direction and guidance to do the same based on their personal experiences and best practices.
Q: How will I benefit from having an Academic Peer Mentor?
The Academic Peer Mentors are committed to:
- Promoting your academic success in college
- Helping you transition and adjust to college
- Enhance your sense of belonging to increase your intention to stay in college and graduate
- Affirm your belief that you can succeed as a college student
- Provide a safe space for you to share personal, social, and academic concerns
- Increase your levels of motivation, self-directedness, and self-efficacy
Becoming a Peer Mentor
Mentoring is a relationship; a journey between the mentor and the mentee on the road to success in college. The more you give in helping others grow and reach their goals, the more you can receive back from the experience. In helping others, you help yourself along the way and gain other positive benefits that enhance your personal development.
As a Peer Mentor, you will:
- Develop transferable and marketable skills to enhance your professional experience
- Increase self-awareness and foster personal growth
- Cultivate leadership, organizational and self-management skills
- Improve communication and interpersonal skills
- Expand your transcript and professional resume
- Support student success in a meaningful way
- Connect to the broader ASC and EOP community
- Build your network
Math and Writing Assistance
We have free tutoring available every day. We have a Math Lab and Writing Center open to all students who need extra support in these areas. We also have professional specialists dedicated to these areas available only to EOP students.