The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) is for state-contract, public colleges while the Higher Educational Opportunity Program (HEOP) is for endowed, or private, colleges and universities in New York State.

State Contract Colleges (EOP-affiliated)

• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
• College of Human Ecology
• SC Johnson College of Business - Dyson School
• The Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy
• School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

Endowed/Private Colleges (HEOP affiliated)

• College of Art, Architecture, and Planning
• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Engineering
• SC Johnson College of Business - School of Hotel Administration

Students find the benefits to them to be very individualized as the EOP/HEOP team is here to support you on your journey, but here are some of the benefits our students may enjoy:

• A community of peers to work together with and grow and learn from.
• Access multiple opportunities, including professional staff advisor, financial assistance, and career resources.
• Connect with an active, alumni network.
• Join a strong, passionate community of learners comprised of our students, our professional staff and collaborating campus partners.
• Many of our students view OADI and EOP|HEOP as a home away from home – a supportive environment where they can be themselves. We want you to be you!

Providing academic support can be many different things and is focused on the individual need of the student. First and foremost, EOP/HEOP students must utilize the resources available to them as a student, this includes:

• Participation in the supplemental instruction provided by the Learning Strategies Center (LSC) for all courses available.
• Utilization and attendance in faculty and TA office hours and study sessions.
• Regular meetings and progress updates with college academic advisors.
• Regular scheduled meetings with your EOP/HEOP advisor.

If further support is needed for an individual course, students may request additional tutoring support through their advisor. We view academic support as a partnership between the student and their advisor. We will help to provide resources in support of your academic goals, but it is the student’s responsibility to assess and communicate with their advisors.

You are required to meet with EOP/HEOP advisors each semester as well as your college academic advisor. These appointments are separate.

EOP/HEOP Advisors will meeting with you on a regular basis throughout your college career. Our work is focused on six many areas advise in a holistic fashion. We will focus on:

• Academic – discussing academic goals and aspirations and providing academic support.
• Financial – reviewing financial aid, funding opportunities, and general financial literacy support.
• Professional – reviewing career opportunities and goals, support of internship and externship opportunities, and aiding in your professional and career development.
• Personal Well-being – working with you on critical reflection and meaning of your experiences, helping to develop skills that will allow you to set schedules and create balance, providing support and access to resources in line with your own spiritual, physical, and psychological well-being.
• Social/Community – assisting you in navigating campus and exploring opportunities to find you community and build your sense of belonging.
• Civic Engagement – encouraging you to be an active and engaged citizen, using your voice to advocate for your needs and the needs of the community, and developing your own sense of agency.

Through each of these areas, your EOP/HEOP advisor will be informed of possible resources and will work with you in partnership to work toward your goals.

Your college academic advisor differs from your EOP/HEOP advisor in that your college advisor will assist in course enrollment, drop/add of classes, registration, and more policy/procedures related to your academic progress.

A wide variety of events are offered through EOP/HEOP. Typically, we offer the following events each year:

• Two large group meetings, one each semester, to connect and share information (required).
• Monthly “Family Dinners” where students break bread, celebrate and connect, often with menus planned and developed by students to share things that are important to them.
• Advocacy Trips to Albany that seek to enhance students’ civic engagement and connection to their elected officials and highlight the impacts of EOP/HEOP.
• End of the Year Awards banquet. We celebrate, recognize and uplift the good work our students have participated in and/or led.
• Alumni Workshops that offer the opportunity for current students to connect with alumni to understand their paths and career opportunities.

Depending on the year and need, as a team we also offer different workshops as needed or requested.

• Participate in the fall and spring semester meetings.
• Access appropriate tutoring and academic support resources.
• Meet with your EOP / HEOP advisor on a regular basis:
  • First Year Student: 6 times per semester (minimum required)
  • Sophomore: 4 times per semester (minimum required)
  • Junior and Senior: 2 times per semester (minimum required)
• Advocacy processes and community service or service-learning activities.

You will need to complete and submit these documents in order to be considered for EOP/HEOP -- for either first-year applicants or transfer students.

• Common Application
• the Cornell Supplement
• EOP/HEOP eligibility questionnaire with copies of your TAP confirmation email and FAFSA SAR
• EOP/HEOP Transfer Verification Form (Contract Colleges, Endowed Colleges)

Very rarely would a student lose their EOP/HEOP status. However, the circumstances that may cause one to lose their status would include:

• false information was provided during the eligibility process.
• a student decides to transfer to a college that does not have EOP/HEOP/SEEK/CD.
• a student decides to transfer to a college that does not have space in the program at the time of transfer.
• Unsuccessful completion of PSP.

There is no GPA requirement to remain a part of EOP/HEOP. All students must meet satisfactory academic progress (SAP) to remain in good standing and enrolled at the University. Any EOP/HEOP student that takes a leave of absence, including an academic leave, will retain their EOP/HEOP status and must fulfill any requirements from their respective colleges to return to good standing.

There are several forms and types of paperwork applicants will need to complete for the review process. These include:

• All standard admissions requirements (see prospective student application process).
• EOP/HEOP Eligibility Questionnaires with a copy of your TAP confirmation email.
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Collegeboard CSS Profile (Link sent after filing FAFSA).
• Ink-signed copies (no electronic signatures) of income taxes for "prior prior" year (1040 including all pages submitted to the IRS).
• W2s from both custodial and non-custodial parents.
• Documentation of any other type of income, (i.e., Social Security, Unemployment, Public Assistance).

View our Application Document Checklist and Application Timeline.

All documents are submitted through the IDOC process as outline on Cornell's Financial Aid website.

Note for Independent students: students living with a legal guardian, an orphan or ward of the court, or a student living in foster care, will have different paperwork to provide. We encourage you to contact the EOP/HEOP office and the Office of Financial Aid to make sure you are submitting the appropriate paperwork.

Eligible EOP/HEOP students whose financial aid forms have been properly filed and approved generally receive monies from the following sources:

• TAP Grant
• Federal PELL Grant
• EOP/HEOP Grant
• Cornell Grant
• Federal Work-study
• Any additional outside scholarships a student may receive