Educational Opportunity Program Financial Aid Information  (Overview)

The New York State Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at Binghamton University provides special support services for in-state students from educationally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Educational Opportunity Program requires that an applicant meet both academic and economic criteria for admissions. The income guidelines used to determine eligibility for the current academic year may be viewed below.

The EOP admissions application process involves two offices, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, and the Office of Student Financial Aid and Employment. Prospective students can obtain an application package from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

The Financial Aid Services Office and the Undergraduate Admissions Office mail separate letters regarding missing items needed to complete the application process. A decision cannot be made if your application is incomplete (missing documents) in either office.

There is no deadline to submit your application and materials, but it is advised that you submit all materials as soon as possible. The sooner your materials are submitted; the sooner a decision can be made regarding your admission into the Educational Opportunity Program at Binghamton University.

If you have any questions regarding admission to the Educational Opportunity Program, please feel free to contact:

Joanna Cardona
Admissions Counselor

Undergraduate Admissions Office
Phone: (607) 777-2171
FAX: (607) 777-4445
jcardona@binghamton.edu

Shevonne McKenzie
Financial Aid Counselor

Financial Aid Services
Phone: (607) 777-2428
FAX: (607) 777-6897
smckenzi@binghamton.edu

 

EOP Financial Aid Forms in .pdf format:
NOTE: You will need Adobe Acrobat reader to view these documents. You can download it here.

 

 

Educational Opportunity Program Financial Aid Eligibility

Overview:
Qualifying for admission to the Educational Opportunity Program is based on two criteria:

  • Candidate’s academic preparation
  • Financial resources of a candidate’s family
    • To be eligible to participate in the Educational Opportunity Program, you should: 
  • Possess a high school diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED);
  • Be a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States and a New York State resident 1 year prior to enrollment;
  • Meet both the academic and income criteria set forth by New York State and Binghamton University.

    • The following materials must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office:

  • The Educational Opportunity Program Financial Data Form. Please complete the form and submit all required documents that pertain to your financial and living situation. If your form is not fully completed it will be returned to you for completion, which can prevent an admission decision from being made.
  • Copy of your Alien Registration Card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)*
  • Parents' complete 2006 Federal and State Tax Return and W-2 statement(s)
  • Students who file a 2006 Federal and State Tax Return must submit their tax return and W-2 statement(s)

  • If you and your family receive SSI, AFDC, and Social Security benefits, please provide a statement with the total amount received in the 2006 calendar year.

    *NOTE: Applicants who are U.S. permanent residents must submit a copy of the front and reverse of their Alien Registration Card, showing a current expiration date.

    Return to Eligibility Determination

     

    EOP Income Guidelines

    The income guidelines for determining a candidate’s economic eligibility to participate in the EOP program have been established by New York State and are outlined in the chart below. To qualify for EOP, 2005 family income cannot exceed the amount noted for the designated family size. Exceptions to these guidelines follow the chart.
     

    Household Size

    (Including head of household)

    Category A

    Source of Income - Social Security or other sources other than employment

    Category B

    supported by one or more worker(s) whose combined total annual income does not exceed the applicable amount

    Category D

    Households supported by one worker with two or more employers
    1
    $14,100
    $18,900
    $20,700
    2
    19,600
    24,400
    26,200
    3
    22,350
    27,150
    28,950
    4
    27,800
    32,600
    34,400
    5
    32,850
    36,750
    39,450
    6
    38,550
    42,350
    45,150
    7
    42,900
    47,700
    49,500
    8
    47,250
    52,050
    53,850
    9
    51,600
    56,400
    58,200
    10
    55,950
    63,400
    62,550

    EOP Exceptions  

    The EOP family income guidelines do not apply if: 

  • your family receives payments from a New York State County Department of Social Services;
  • you are living with foster parents who do not give you money for college, and no money is provided by your natural parents;
  • you are a ward of the state or county.

    • EOP Applicants Not Living With Parents

    If one or both parents are deceased, please submit copies of the death certificate(s).

    If you are a ward of the court, in foster care, or under the custody of Child Services, please submit documentation from your case worker.

    If you are not a ward of the state and do not live with your parent(s), you must submit documentation explaining why it is necessary for you to live with someone other than your parent(s). You must submit the following documents: 

    (A) A notarized statement from you explaining why you do not live with your parents and how you have supported yourself; and
    (B) A notarized statement from the person(s) with whom you have been living stating how long and why you have lived together and the amount of support, if any, provided for you; and

    (C) A statement from a professional (social worker; counselor; teacher, etc)on official letterhead verifying your circumstances.

    Please note, legal guardianship documentation alone is not a valid declaration of student independent status; you must submit all required documents mentioned above.

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    EOP Income Verification

      NOTE: You must verify all income received by you and your parent(s) during the 2005 calendar year.

    If you or your parent(s) received this type of income You must submit 
    Work Income All 2006 IRS forms and schedules for the applicant and applicant’s parent(s) if taxes were filed;tax returns must be signed by a tax preparer or your parent(s).
    Social Security Benefits* All 1099 forms received from the Social Security Administration for each person in the household who received these benefits in 2006.
    SSI Benefits* Statements from the Social Security Administration listing total amounts received by all family members in 2006.**
    Public Assistance* Documentation from social service agency of total benefits received by all family members in 2006. (DO NOT SEND BUDGET SHEETS)**
    Child Support* Signed statement from parent(s) of total amount received in 2006.
    Other Income Signed statement from parent(s) of total amounts received from any other source not listed above.
    Not filing a 2006 tax return and do not receive Public Assistance benefits Tax transcript requested from the IRS
    (phone 1-800-829-1040) for 2006.

    * You can print the above forms from our website for completion.
    ** Do not submit any 2006 or 2007 benefit information, even if it is the same amounts received in 2006. Your 2006 information is required, any other year information is not acceptable.

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