Educational Opportunity Program

To qualify for admission to UAlbany's Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), you must be a New York State resident, possess a high school diploma or its equivalent, and meet the academic and financial eligibility requirements outlined below. Be sure to check "yes" on the EOP indicator on your admissions application. EOP applicants are not required to pay the application fee.

Academic Eligibility

First-year applicants are required to submit an official high school transcript or an official General Equivalency Diploma (GED) score report. The State University of New York has authorized the University at Albany to be test-optional for first-year students applying for admission in Fall 2023. Read more about our test-optional policy here. UAlbany's academic guidelines are as follows:

Mid-Range GPA: 82-87 
Mid-Range SAT: 990-1070 with a minimum Reading score of 22 (optional)
Mid-Range ACT: 18-20 (optional)
GED: 2800-2900

Transfer students are eligible for EOP admission only if they have been enrolled previously in an EOP, HEOP, SEEK, College Discovery program or similar academic and financial support program at their previous college and all institutions attended. If you are transferring, you must also submit verification of your status as a previous EOP-type student. A minimum of an overall 2.5 grade point average is required for all EOP transfer students.

Financial Eligibility

In order to be enrolled as an EOP student at UAlbany, you must apply for financial aid (which is awarded on the basis of family need), be financially eligible, and meet the income guidelines below. This eligibility is determined by the Financial Aid Office. For this reason, you need to submit the following documents:

1. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov as soon as possible. Please be sure to include the University at Albany's code (002835).

2. New York State Tuition Assistance Application (TAP). The easiest way to apply for TAP is through the FAFSA. You can link directly to the TAP application from the FAFSA submission confirmation page. The University at Albany TAP Code is 0895.

3. Submit the SUNY EOP Financial Information Form.

4. Signed copies of student's and parents' Federal Income Tax Returns (1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ) with any schedules they were required to file for the preceding year.

5. Documentation of all benefits received in the preceding academic year from Social Services, Social Security, unemployment, pensions, etc.

EOP Income Guidelines

The income guidelines below have been approved by the Regents and are in effect for determining the eligibility of students first entering college in Fall 2023.


Total Annual Income
 
Household Size Income
1 $25,142
2 $33,874
3 $42,606
4 $51,338
5 $60,070
6 $68,802
7 $77,534
8 $86,266


For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $8,732 for each additional person.

Exceptions to Income Guidelines

1. The student's family is the recipient of Family Assistance or Safety Net payments through the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance; or through a county Department of Social Services; or Family Day Care payments through the New York State Office of Children and Family Assistance.

2. The student lives with foster parents who do not provide support for college and the student's natural parents provide no such support.

3. The student is a ward of the state or county.

Income includes all taxable funds received by the household for general use. Funds may come from sources such as wages, dividends, interest, social security, disability pensions, veteran's benefits and unemployment benefits.

The following does not constitute income: Funds received for educational purposes from sources such as social security, veteran's cost of educational benefits, and educational grants from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation; Social Services or Public Assistance payments received through Aid For Dependent Children, Home Relief or Family Day Care Programs.

Questions concerning these income guidelines can be directed to Undergraduate Admissions at (518) 442-5435 or Financial Aid at (518) 442-3202.

There are two options for applying to UAlbany, choose one
 

Apply with the Common Application

The Common Application allows you apply to over 500 participating colleges with one application.

Apply with the SUNY Application

The SUNY Application allows you apply to multiple SUNY colleges with one application.


Note: EOP applicants may apply to up to seven SUNY schools at no cost. Additional applications are $50 each.