Transcript Presented by: Stephanie Rovello

Presented by:
Stephanie Rovello
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
OFFICE OF FINANCIAL AID
& SCHOLARSHIP SERVICES
STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY
What is…
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EOP?
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HEOP?
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SEEK?
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:
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EOP is for SUNY colleges and universities
SEEK is for CUNY colleges and universities
HEOP is for private New York State
universities
colleges and
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:
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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.)
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for EOP the student must:
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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)
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for HEOP the student must:
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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)
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for SEEK the student must:
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•
•
•
•
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
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.
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.
The application process
Applying to SEEK
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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.
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.
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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
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.
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
Questions or comments