Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)

Welcome to the Educational Opportunity Program, a component of Student Academic Services at California State University, East Bay. The Educational Opportunity Program is designed to improve the access and retention of students with economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. The program serves California residents who are regularly admissible as well as those who may need special admissions. Program participants must have a history of low income, need academic support services, and demonstrate the motivation and potential to succeed at California State University, East Bay.

Requirements for admission to EOP

• Must be a California resident pursuing the first undergraduate degree
• Meet EOP income guidelines for 2010-2011
• Apply for admission to the university for Fall 2010
• Complete the three EOP Forms for Fall 2010
• Apply for federal financial aid via the FAFSA for 2010-2011

Students must apply for EOP when they apply for admission to the University. For an overview of the steps and deadline, please look at the How to Apply to EOP bulletin. The CSU and EOP applications are available at the CSU Mentor (www.csumentor.edu) website. A list of common admissions questions is available to help clarify some issues in the general admissions process. For specific EOP and Summer Bridge Program information, please email us at eopadmissions@csueastbay.edu or call us at (510) 885-4683. Our office is located in the Library (LI) complex, Room 2500 and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am through 5 pm.

Benefits of being accepted to EOP:

• Assistance with admissions processing
• Academic advising
• Personal and career counseling
• Course selection assistance
• Tutoring through the Student Center for Academic Achievement
• Summer Bridge (For special admit First-Time Freshmen)
• EOP grant for eligible students

EOP income eligibility, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA), and the EOP grant

All students should meet the EOP income guidelines listed below, and apply for the 2010-2011 state Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov as soon as possible after January 1, 2010 and no later than March 2, 2010 to meet the California financial aid priority filing period. The FAFSA will generate an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) amount (and related information) which must be sent to CSU East Bay. The Financial Aid Office will use the FAFSA information to determine the student’s financial aid eligibility and only consider those EOP applicants accepted to the EOP program for an EOP grant – if eligible. You will have a better chance of receiving an EOP grant and other financial aid for which you are eligible if you apply by the priority deadline date of March 2, 2010.

2010-2011 Family Income Guidelines

EOP Applicants should meet the low income guidelines listed below and provide their FAFSA Expected Family Contribution (EFC) must not exceed an annual contribution of $1,500. For additional information, consult the 2010-2011 EOP Information in the "Plan for College" section of the online CSU Mentor website, www.csumentor.edu