HOW TO APPLY FOR EOP
The Educational Opportunity Program application process is now OPEN until July 3, 2025.
To be considered for admission into the Educational Opportunity Program, please determine your residential, academic, and income eligibility below. Once you have confirmed your eligibility, please complete steps 1-4 for review.
Residential & Academic Guidelines
To be eligible for admission into EOP, you must meet the following criteria:
- Must be a New York State resident for 12 months prior to enrollment;
- Must be a first-semester student and participate in our Pre-Freshman Institute;
- Must be educationally disadvantaged as determined by established EOP criteria;
- Must have a GPA range of 70 - 84 (exceptions are allowed on a case-by-case basis)
- Must demonstrate potential for completing a college program; and
- Must be economically disadvantaged as determined by the state-established criteria for the Educational Opportunity Program as defined in the drop-down box below.
Income Guidelines
New York State has laid out specific income guidelines that dictate eligibility for the EOP program. Please review this info carefully.
| EOP Economic Eligibility Guidelines for Academic Year 2025-2026 | |
|---|---|
| Household Size (including head of household) |
Total Annual Income |
| 1 | $27,861 |
| 2 | $37,814 |
| 3 | $47,767 |
| 4 | $57,720 |
| 5 | $67,673 |
| 6 | $77,626 |
| 7 | $87,579 |
| 8 | $97,532 * |
* For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $9,509 for each additional person.
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 Family Day Care payments through the New York State Office of Children and Family Assistance;
- The student is in foster care as established by the court;
- The student is a ward of the state or county.
Step 1: Applying
Submit the EOP Application and Financial Verification Form in addition to Cayuga’s general Admission application. Note that all forms in relation to EOP are to be filled out electronically.
Step 2: EOP Interview Process
Students are required to go through an interview process to provide EOP staff with a snapshot of the student and to discuss and address academic needs and concerns.
Step 3: Financial Information and FAFSA
Required Financial Documentation
You will need to provide the following documents for the tax year 2023 to verify the information reported.
| If you reported: | You must attach: |
|---|---|
| You are a Non-U.S. citizen and a permanent resident |
|
| You are in foster care |
|
| You are a ward of the court or county |
|
| You are an emancipated minor or in legal guardianship |
|
| You are married |
|
| You are on active duty |
|
| You are a U.S. Veteran |
|
| You have been determined to be homeless |
|
| Income from wages, tips, dividends, interest, rental, business profits |
|
| Income from disability benefits, a pension, annuity, or unemployment benefits |
|
| Child Support, Maintenance or Alimony |
|
| Public Assistance |
|
| Social Security, Supplemental Security Income or Veterans Noneducation Benefits |
|
| No income |
|
| Unusual Circumstances |
|