EOP was created to identify students who show promise of succeeding at the university/college level but may struggle to meet the financial demand.

To be eligible for admission to EOP you must:

• Be accepted into a degree program at SUNY Poly (Certificate-seeking students do not qualify),
• Have a high school grade point average of 75% to 87%,
• Be a New York State resident for 12 months prior to enrollment,
• Require special admissions consideration, and
• Qualify as economically disadvantaged according to the income guidelines. In selecting students for the program, priority will be given to applicants from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Transfer students: You are eligible for EOP as a transfer student provided you have been enrolled in a similar opportunity program, such as HEOP, SEEK, College Discovery, or STEP, at a post-secondary institution
 
Income guidelines
For academic year 2021-22

This table lists the financial eligibility requirements for EOP admission for students entering the 2021-22 academic year. Any subsequent changes to these guidelines will be posted here. In order to be determined economically disadvantaged, a student's household income must not exceed the amount shown for its size or the student's circumstances must conform to one of the exceptions indicated.

* For households with more than 8 people, add $8,288 for each additional person.

Income guidelines do not apply if:

• 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.
• The student is in foster care as established by the court.
• The student is a ward of the state or county.