Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)

EOP Mission

EOP provides access, academic support, and modest financial assistance to make higher education possible for talented students with limited resources who have great academic promise, but whose life circumstances have not permitted them to reach their full potential.

What is EOP?

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) is designed to improve access and retention of historically low-income and educationally disadvantaged students. EOP Students have the potential and demonstrated motivation to perform satisfactorily at SUNY Orange, but they have not been able to realize their fullest potential because of their economic or educational background. The EOP program is a vehicle for SUNY Orange to increase access, academic success, retention, degree completion, and transfer assistance for our EOP students.

Who May Apply?

• Must be a New York State Resident for 12 months prior to enrollment;
• Must be a first-time full-time student ( no previous college experience);
• We will accept students into the program with a high school average between 7​0​-84, or a student who has earned a GED.
• Must demonstrate potential for completing a college program; and
• Be a member of a household with a gross annual income that does not exceed the applicable amount stated in the NYS Educational Department’s Guidelines (see chart below)

Submitting your EOP Application

Please submit the online EOP application and income short form as soon as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Madeline Torres-Diaz at madeline.torresdiaz@sunyorange.edu.

• Submit the online EOP Application: https://machform.sunyorange.edu/view.php?id=374247
• Submit the income short form: https://machform.sunyorange.edu/view.php?id=866607
• High School Counselors: Please use the EOP Student Referral form for High School Counselors

Current & Prospective EOP Students:

The FAFSA has been online since October 1, and reports indicate that several hundred thousand students have already submitted their information. Have you?

Income Guidelines

The table below lists financial eligibility requirements for EOP admission during the 2025-2026 academic year. To be considered economically disadvantaged, a student must belong to a household that is defined in this table, or the exceptions noted. Tax year 2023 will be used for eligibility. Learn more about the guidelines

EOP Economic Eligibility Guidelines

Household Size (including head of household)	Total Annual Income in 2024-25 Calendar Year
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 eight people, add $9,953 for each additional person.