Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF)
(Only for first-year students who are New Jersey residents)
Educational Opportunity Fund Mission Statement
The New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Program contributes to the development of a college-educated public that reflects the diversity of New Jersey. In partnership with Rutgers, the New Jersey EOF Program provides access to higher education and support for highly motivated students who exhibit the potential for success, but who come from economically and educationally disadvantaged families/communities. Accordingly, the New Jersey EOF Program supports innovative educational initiatives, supplemental instruction, support services and leadership development activities to improve students’ chances for academic success. In concert with other sources of financial aid assistance, the New Jersey EOF Program also makes college affordable for students who find the costs of higher education prohibitive.
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Eligibility Requirements
Families who have accumulated assets do not qualify for financial assistance through the New Jersey EOF Program. To be considered, you and your family must have a documented history of academic and financial disadvantage and meet the income guidelines listed below.
| EOF Income Eligibility Scale 2013-2014 | | Household Size (including student) | Family Gross Income Does Not Exceed | | 1 | $22,340 | | 2 | $30,260 | | 3 | $38,180 | | 4 | $46,100 | | 5 | $54,020 | | 6 | $61,940 | | 7 | $69,860 | | 8 | $77,780 | | ** | For each additional member of the household, add $7,920. |
If you meet these income guidelines, you also must meet the following requirements:
- You and your parents must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens with valid Permanent Resident Card (I-551 or I-551C), I-94 (with refugee status or asylum granted), or T-visa (T-1, T-2, T-3, etc.) indicating that you and your parents have been permanent residents for at least one year prior to fall semester enrollment. You and your parents must also be New Jersey residents for at least one year prior to fall semester enrollment.
- You must be a first-generation college student (i.e. your parents are not four-year college graduates).
- You must have received a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma by the time you register at Rutgers.
- You must complete the 2013-2014 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the priority filing date of March 15, 2013. To submit your FAFSA online at fafsa.gov, you and your parent must each obtain your Personal Identification Number (PIN) at pin.ed.gov. Ensure that Rutgers receives your FAFSA from the federal processor by including the Rutgers federal school code 002629 in Step 5 (online) or Step 6 (PDF). The PDF FAFSA is available for you to print and fill out manually or is screen-fillable if you select “FAFSA Filing Options" at fafsa.gov.
- You and your parents must file your 2012 federal IRS tax return as soon as possible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. The IRS Data Retrieval tool is an easy and secure way to access and transfer tax return information directly onto the FAFSA form, saving time and improving accuracy. If you and your parents are unable or choose not to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, you must submit a 2012 Federal tax return transcript to Rutgers. Visit the Rutgers Office of Financial Aid online at studentaid.rutgers.edu for information about the IRS Data Retrieval Tool and the IRS federal tax return transcript.
- You must submit all requested documents to the Rutgers' Office of Financial Aid prior to the start of the EOF Summer Institute to complete the FAFSA verification process. In addition, if you are selected for State Verification by the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA), you must also submit all requested documents directly to HESAA to ensure eligibility for both TAG (Tuition Aid Grant) and EOF grants. For additional information about state aid eligibility, you may contact HESAA at 1-800-792-8670 or visit hesaa.org.
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EOF Summer Institute
The New Jersey EOF Program can help you before and during college. If you are admitted to one of Rutgers' undergraduate schools as an EOF student, you must attend a free five-to six-week summer program that eases the transition from high school to college and sharpens your English, math, and science skills. You’ll meet new friends, and your EOF Summer Institute tuition and other educational expenses will be paid for. Your successful completion of the EOF Summer Institute, which begins toward the end of the June 2013, is a requirement for fall semester enrollment at Rutgers.
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Advising and Counseling
Before the fall semester begins, your EOF advisers will help you plan an academic program to meet your interests and needs. Your undergraduate school will provide you with tutorial services and a special staff of academic, career and peer counselors so you’ll be able to identify your academic strengths, overcome any limitations and define career fields that interest you. In addition, all of the university's other resources are available to help you succeed at Rutgers.
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Financial Assistance
Although the New Jersey EOF Program can provide financial help, you and your family are asked to contribute as much as you can reasonably afford. EOF students receive both TAG (Tuition Aid Grant) and EOF grants from the state of New Jersey. In addition, qualified students are eligible to receive grant assistance from the federal government and Rutgers. Financial assistance will vary depending on your need as determined by the FAFSA and the availability of funds.
To receive an official offer of financial assistance from Rutgers that includes the EOF grant, the TAG, and other need-based aid programs, you should submit your FAFSA to the federal processor as soon as possible after January 1, 2013 to meet the priority application date of March 15, 2013. Visit the Rutgers Office of Financial Aid online for more information.
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Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Program Application The EOF Application is included in the Undergraduate Admissions Application online. The information applicants provide on the EOF application is used to make a preliminary determination of your eligibility for the New Jersey EOF Program. Final acceptance into the New Jersey EOF Program is contingent upon the results of the required Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The application is also provided here:
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