Presented by: Stephanie Rovello

1. Presented by:Stephanie Rovello Assistant Director Office of Financial Aid & Scholarship Services Stony Brook University

2. What is… • EOP? • HEOP? • SEEK?

3. What’s the difference? • The services and provisions between the opportunity programs are generally the same. The major difference lies in the type of academic institution offering the program: • EOP is for SUNY colleges and universities • SEEK is for CUNY colleges and universities • HEOP is for private New York State colleges and universities

4. Overview of the programs • These programs were established to provide comprehensive academic and financial support to capable students who, because of academic and economic circumstances, would otherwise be unable to attend a postsecondary educational institution. • The services provided include: • Funds to assist in the recruitment, screening, and testing of prospective students • Academic, career, and personal counseling • Tutoring and supplemental instruction • Remedial/ developmental coursework • Financial assistance toward college expenses (including books, supplies, etc.)

5. Who is eligible? To be eligible for EOP the student must: • Have been a New York State resident for at least 12 months prior to enrollment • Be ineligible for admission under traditional standards, but demonstrate potential for completing a college program • Be in need of financial assistance within established income guidelines. In selecting students for the program, priority is given to applicants from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. • Be a first-time freshman or have been in an approved opportunity program (if a transfer student)

6. Who is eligible? To be eligible for HEOP the student must: • Have been a New York State for at least 12 months prior to enrollment • Be ineligible for admission under traditional standards, but demonstrate potential for completing a college program • Be in need of financial assistance within established income guidelines • Possess a high school diploma or a State-approved equivalency diploma (with a composite score not higher than 3100) or its equivalent • Be a first-time freshman or have been in an approved opportunity program (if a transfer student)

7. Who is eligible? To be eligible for SEEK the student must: • Have been a New York State resident for at least 12 months prior to enrollment • Be ineligible for admission under traditional standards, but demonstrate potential for completing a college program • Be in need of financial assistance within established income guidelines • Be a first-time freshman or have been in an approved opportunity program (if a transfer student) • Be a high school graduate or recipient of a state-approved equivalency diploma

8. The application process Applying to EOP As part of the EOP admission process, the following information will be reviewed to help college admissions counselors evaluate student’s eligibility and potential for success in a college program: • High school record and test scores (if required) • Extracurricular activities such as clubs, hobbies and employment • Any other experience which made an impact on the student’s education *Note that the student cannot apply for both EOP and Early Decision/ Early Action Programs.

9. The application process Applying to HEOP • To apply for admission to HEOP, the student must request an application from the institution that he or she is interested in. Many independent colleges require the student to apply by February 1 of the student’s senior high school year. Because this date varies at each campus, the student should apply as early as possible. • If accepted into HEOP, students are usually required to take part in a pre-freshman summer program designed to orient the student to college life, initiate a program of academic skills building, and acquaint the student with the services available through HEOP. • Students are also required to apply for the State’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and for the Federal Pell Grant.

10. The application process Applying to SEEK • To apply, the student must complete the Special Programs section of the CUNY Freshman Admission Application, either through a paper application or online at www.cuny.edu/admissions. Students must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). • Admission to SEEK is conditional until the student has meet the following requirements: • Provided required documents that prove economic eligibility for SEEK • Completed the university basic skills assessment tests in reading, writing, and mathematics unless exempt based on SAT and/or Regents scores • Attended a summer pre-freshman program if he or she does not meet the University requirements in all three skills • Contacted the SEEK Program at the campus he or she will be attending to get additional requirements • The program expects students to use the services it provides to help them earn a degree. While specific program offerings differ, all campuses have requirements regarding participation in academic and counseling support activities.

11. What happens when the Undergraduate Admissions Office receives an application to one of these programs? • Student’s academic record is reviewed to determine if the student meets the academic institution’s requirements for admissions into the EOP, SEEK, HEOP programs. • Students who meet the academic requirements are then reviewed to determine if they meet the financial eligibility requirements. • Most campuses have a financial aid inquiry form that the student and family must complete, sign and submit. • Students who meet both the academic and financial requirements for the program are generally offered admission on a space available basis

12. Obstacles in the application process • Errors and omissions are commonly found in submitted financial aid inquiry forms. • Guidelines for review are often created with a traditional family as the model. • As the definition of the traditional family becomes more and more blurred, collecting appropriate documentation and reviewing to ensure that the student meets the financial aid guidelines becomes more difficult. • Students who have been raise by grandparents or other caretakers often incorrectly report the financial information for these caretakers on their financial aid inquiry form and on their FAFSA. Only parent information should be reported. • Because class size is often limited, students need to submit applications and all requested documentation in a timely manner.

13. What are the program benefits? • Summer Program • Assists student in preparing for the college experience • Students learn critical decision making skills related to balancing their time • Study skills are taught and reinforced • Students sometimes earn credits for classes taken • Students may take courses preparing them for college • Financial Aid • Many campuses have additional funding provided by the state to assist students with their cost of attendance • Designated Academic Advisors • Students generally have an academic advisor that is skilled in assisting students as they navigate through their academic career

14. Questions or comments