Skip to Main Content

Educational Opportunity Fund Program

Procedure Administrator: Executive Director of Educational Opportunity and Success Programs
Authority:
Effective Date: September 22, 2009; December 16, 2021
Index Cross-References: Policy III-100: Educational Opportunity Fund Program
Procedure File Number: 3920
Approved By: Dr. Harvey Kesselman, President

I. FIRST-TIME STUDENT, FIRST-TIME APPLICATIONS TO EOF PROGRAM

A. Applications to the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Program for first-year students are processed for the Fall term. Consideration for the EOF Program is given to applicants who complete the following steps:

1. Submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application.

  • Students must meet income guidelines as determined by the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE).

  • Apply for New Jersey state aid through the New Jersey Higher Education Assistance Authority (HESAA) and complete additional information request through the New Jersey Financial Aid Management System (NJFAMS).

2. Complete an application for admission to Stockton University using Stockton’s native application or the Common App and submit all required documentation as outlined on the University’s admissions website.

3. Complete the University’s EOF Supplemental Online Application.

4. The number of students who may participate annually in the EOF Program is limited. The University may not have available space for applicants who file the EOF Supplemental Online Application after the priority deadline.

5. Stockton’s EOF administrator/director makes the final determination on the first-time students who receive an EOF grant.

B. To qualify for financial eligibility to the EOF Program, a first-time full-time undergraduate student must exhibit evidence of the potential to succeed in college, and:

1. Demonstrate insufficient academic preparation to gain admission to an approved institution of higher education under its regular standards of admission (where applicable) and shall have standardized test scores that are below the institutional norms; or

2. Demonstrate an educational background that indicates a need for improved basic skills, additional academic support, or additional preparation for the applicant’s desired degree program.

C. Summer Program

1. Under Stockton’s EOF Program, first-time students accepted to attend the University in the Fall term are required to participate in a summer enrichment program. The satisfactory completion of the summer enrichment program may be a condition of the student’s admission to Stockton’s EOF Program and/or eligibility to receive EOF grants and support services during the academic year.

D. Liability

1. Applicants to Stockton’s EOF Program shall submit true and accurate information in all applications to the University and the State of New Jersey.

2. Neither Stockton University nor the State of New Jersey shall be responsible for the award of EOF grants, if any information submitted by a student is false, fraudulent, inaccurate, or misleading.

II. TRANSFER APPLICATIONS TO EOF PROGRAM

A. Transfer students wishing to apply to Stockton’s EOF program must complete the FAFSA or New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application. EOF eligibility
must be verified before EOF admission can be offered to applicants.

Additionally:

1. EOF funding for transfer students is based on the availability of funds.

2. Transfer students who did not receive EOF funding at their prior institution may be considered for EOF funding at Stockton as long as they meet income guidelines and are not in their final year of study.

3. Transfer applications are processed for both the Fall and Spring terms. EOF eligibility transfers with the student; provided that:

• Transfer student must meet income guidelines as determined by OSHE and complete the HESAA application for state aid.

• Availability of EOF Article III funding or supplemental institutional funding cannot be guaranteed to renewal students who transfer to another participating institution in New Jersey.

a. An EOF applicant who is transferring to Stockton from another college or university in New Jersey must:

1. Contact Stockton’s EOF administrator/director and inform them (in writing) of their intent to transfer Stockton

2. Meet all of Stockton’s transfer admission requirements and conditions as well as all criteria for participation in the EOF program.

3. Be in “good standing” with their previous EOF program. Students with a prior EOF history should request that an EOF Transfer Form be sent via email to Stockton’s Executive Director of EOF.

4. Complete the EOF Transfer Application located on the Stockton University Educational Opportunity Fund Program webpage, under ‘Eligibility for Admissions. Upon submission, the application is e-mailed to the Executive and Associate Directors of the EOF Program for review.

5. Transfer with at least a "C" (2.0) grade-point average.

6. Participate in an interview (virtual or in-person) with the Executive Director of the Stockton EOF Program.

7. Submit all required Stockton financial aid documentation.

b. Stockton’s EOF administrator/director shall make the final determination on the transfer students who will receive an EOF grant.

III. FINANCIAL AID REQUIREMENTS FOR EOF ELIGIBILITY

A. EOF Initial Students: First-time or new transfer students entering the EOF Program at Stockton University are required to complete and submit the applicable financial documentation according to the schedule specified by the Office of Financial Aid.

B. EOF Renewal Students: All students currently attending Stockton University under the EOF Program must reapply for funds every academic year. these
Funds are not automatically renewed. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application, as well as the
HESAA application for State aid must be completed every year to determine eligibility to continue in the EOF Program on or before the application deadlines
determined by the State. All EOF renewal students should be prepared to furnish their parent(s) or legal guardian’s Tax Return Transcripts or other financial documents when required to verify eligibility.

C. EOF Transfer Students: All students transferring to Stockton from other EOF programs within the State must follow the same procedure set forth in Part B
above. IRS.

D. Any EOF student (initial, renewal, transfer) that does not meet established financial aid deadlines may lose eligibility for EOF, or EOF-Achieve grants or aid.

IV. EOF FUNDING PRIORITY ORDER

A. Based on Stockton’s annual academic year EOF Article III appropriation, EOF grant funds shall be awarded to eligible students in the following priority order:

1. Renewal students who were funded during the previous academic year;

2. First-time, full-time students;

3. Students who have earned 24 or more college credits while in high school or who participated in a dual-enrollment program and have earned an Associate’s degree as part of their high school graduation requirements and have no prior history of EOF funding support;\

4. EOF transfer students who received an EOF student grant at their previous institution, in the preceding academic year;

5. Renewal students (readmitted or returning) who did not receive funding for the prior academic year; and

6. Eligible students who do not fall into any of the other five categories listed above.

V. Additional information regarding Stockton’s EOF program is maintained by the University’s EOF Office and Office of Financial Aid in accordance with all current state regulations.

Review History:

Procedure Administrator 09/16/2021

Divisional Executive 09/16/2021

General Counsel 12/03/2021

Cabinet 12/16/2021

President 12/16/2021