Applications for EOP/AIM are processed through the Office of Admissions. Applicants must qualify both academically and economically under the specified guidelines. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Eligibility
To be eligible for admission to EOP you must be:

• A New York State resident for 12 months prior to enrollment.
• Ineligible for admission under traditional standards, but demonstrate potential for completing a college program; and
• In need of financial assistance within legislated income guidelines. In selecting students for the program, priority is given to applicants from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. If in the year prior to enrollment your family income falls within EOP guidelines due to unemployment, separation, divorce or death of a parent, etc., you may still not qualify for EOP if you are not from an historically disadvantaged background.
• Have received a New York State high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Meet the Income Guidelines specified in the column below (priority will be given to "applicants from families characterized by historical, educational, economic and cultural disadvantagement").

Freshman Academic Guidelines

• Overall Cumulative GPA - 82+
• English Cumulative GPA - 82+
• Completed at least 3 units of Math including Algebra 2/Trigonometry or a higher level math course with a cumulative Math GPA of 85+
• Completed at least 3 units of Science
• SAT (optional): Total Score - 980+
• ACT (optional): Composite Score - 19+

Transfer Academic Guidelines

• Cumulative GPA of 2.8+ (higher GPA may be required for STEM majors)
• Previously enrolled in an EOP, HEOP, SEEK or College Discovery program (CUNY ASAP is not equivalent)
• Achieved progress towards degree completion for intended major (with specific criteria required for STEM applicants)

Economic Eligibility Requirements
The table below lists the income guidelines for EOP admission for the 2025-26 academic year.

*For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $9,953 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.

Financial Aid is the reason why many of our students are able to attend college. Below is a sample breakdown of what a financial aid package may look like for an EOP student at Stony Brook University. Please keep in mind that financial aid packages will vary based on individual household income. Please be aware that student loans (both subsidized and unsubsidized) will be necessary to offset the cost of housing and the university meal plan. A full financial aid package with federal and state funding only (not including any scholarships) will not cover the entire cost of attendance if you choose to reside on campus (see sample breakdown below). This is why using student loans to invest in your future may be necessary. In most cases you will not begin repayment of these loans until after you complete your desired degree. Our EOP counselors will review your financial aid package extensively during the EOP/AIM Summer Academy.

Sample Financial Aid Package for academic year:

For students who meet both the academic and economic eligibility guidelines above, please see the following for instructions on how to submit an application and the admissions process EOP applicants.