Educational Opportunity Program

CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION

https://coronavirus.buffalostate.edu/

History

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), like Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge (SEEK) in CUNY and Higher Education Opportunity Programs (HEOP) at private institutions, was established in 1967 to fulfill New York State's commitment to access to higher education. EOP combines access, academic support, and supplemental financial assistance to make higher education possible for students who have the potential to succeed, despite limited preparation and financial resources. EOP now exists on 45 campuses in the State University of New York (SUNY). Today, EOP graduates from SUNY number more than 45,000. Among their number are physicians, teachers, scientists, engineers, attorneys, artists, entrepreneurs, and public servants.  A significant majority of EOP graduates stay, work, and pay taxes in New York. This is a huge return on investment to the New York State economy.

What Is EOP?

EOP provides a vehicle for admission to college for those who need it. EOP also provides invaluable counseling and tutoring support services to students whose economic and educational circumstances have already placed them at a disadvantage. EOP provides all participants with a counselor who has the sole responsibility of providing academic and personal support to program students.

Also an essential and critical service provided to all EOP students, considering the backgrounds of EOP students, tutoring services are above and beyond what the campus normally offers.

EOP students are also provided with Direct Aid funds to assist with college expenses excluding tuition. Direct Aid awards play a small, but nonetheless crucial role in completing the student financial aid package.

What EOP Is Not

• EOP is not a minority or race-based program; it is ethnically and racially diverse.
• EOP is not a financial aid program.

Who are EOP Students?

• Buffalo State typically enrolls up to 750 EOP students annually. An average of 200 new EOP students are admitted each year.
• EOP students have been identified as students who have the talent and ability to succeed in college, but have been placed at a disadvantage by financial and academic circumstances.
• EOP students are successful students. At Buffalo State, approximately 50% hold GPA's ranging from 3.0 to 4.0.
• Approximately 93 percent of EOP students have family incomes of less than $25,000 per year.
• In spite of their resources, EOP students contribute approximately $4,245-$7,120 of self-help (work, personal and parental loans, and family contributions) toward their own education each year.
• Many former EOP students have been accepted and/or are currently enrolled in Buffalo State graduate programs on an openly competitive basis. Many others are successfully competing, succeeding, and contributing in their careers, families, and communities.