Criteria

EOP applicants must be highly motivated, historically low-income, educationally disadvantaged, first-generation college students (parents have not completed a four-year college degree, siblings do not count). EOP applicants must also meet the income guidelines described below.

Income Guidelines

EOP applicants should meet the low income guidelines listed below. Applicants whose total family income exceeds the guidelines may be considered if the expected family contribution (as determined by the Financial Aid Office) does not exceed $1,500. These guidelines are not intended to exclude economically disadvantaged students, but to identify and give priority to the most financially needy applicants.

2025-2026 Educational Opportunity Program Income Screening Criteria

For independent students with dependents other than, or in addition to, a spouse, use the income for the appropriate family size in the Dependent Student Category.

These guidelines reflect an income level that will generate an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of approximately $1,500. For dependent applicants, this contribution is based solely on the parental income and does not take into account any parental assets nor does it assume any contribution from the student's income or assets. For independent applicants, the contribution is based strictly on income with no consideration of available savings or other assets.

Because of the simplified nature of the income guidelines, it is possible that applicants who satisfy the preliminary income screening for EOP may not demonstrate need for purposes of student financial aid program eligibility. Dependent applicants whose parents have significant assets and who themselves have income and/or savings will be subject to higher contributions than that derived simply from the parent's income. Independent students with savings or other assets will also be subject to higher contributions.

DEPENDENT STUDENTS


INDEPENDENT STUDENTS