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EOF FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is EOF a financial aid program?

EOF is a state-funded program designed to provide access to higher education and academic support. However, there is a small portion of financial aid in the form of the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Grant that students may receive-up to $700 a semester if the student does not live on campus or up to $825 a semester if the student does live on campus.

2. Will EOF cover all my college expenses?

Students who successfully complete the EOF Pre-Freshman Summer Academy receive the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Grant - up to $700 a semester if the student does not live on campus or up to $825 a semester if the student does live on campus. 

The student will receive other financial aid as part of the financial aid package, such as federal (such as PELL or Student Work-Study) and/or state (such as TAG) grants, scholarships, or loans. 

3. How do I apply for admission as an EOF student?

Students who apply for admission as EOF Freshman are considered for EOF. Students must select this option from a drop-down list on the online admission application instead of selecting Freshman.  Financial documentation is required to be submitted to the EOF Office to verify financial eligibility. Documentation consists of two previous year’s parent IRS Tax Return Transcripts or two previous years statements from each source of income (if no federal taxes were filed) along with the Student Aid Report (SAR) for the academic year you are looking to enroll If you are an Independent student, you will need to provide your previous two years' taxes if filed or an IRS letter of non-filing, along with the SAR. Additional documentation may be requested to verify eligibility.

 

The State of New Jersey, Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, Educational Opportunity Fund determines the household size and income eligibility criteria for EOF, which is subject to change annually: http://www.state.nj.us/highereducation/EOF/EOF_Eligibility.shtml. 

 

4. Besides income, what other requirements are there to receive EOF?

Students:

  • Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
  • Must be New Jersey residents 12 consecutive months prior to receiving the award.
  • Must meet the academic criteria as set by the institution of choice.
  • Must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Must demonstrate an educationally and economically disadvantaged background.
  • Must apply and be accepted to a participating New Jersey college or university.

5. Do all EOF students receive the same amount for the EOF Grant?

During the Fall and Spring semesters, students receive up to $700 a semester if they student does not live on campus or up to $825  a semester if they student does live on campus. This amount is not guaranteed. The EOF Grant received each semester depends upon the student’s compliance with the student agreement they sign each year, compliance with the EOF Program procedures, rules and regulations (such as attending advisement sessions, workshops, tutoring, etc.), the academic progress the student is making, and also upon the amount of money received by the State of New Jersey for the grant.

6. Do I lose my EOF Grant if my parents’ income changes?

Each year, you must file the FAFSA for the upcoming school year. If it is determined that you no longer meet the income guidelines for receiving EOF, you will remain a student in the EOF program, but you would be a “non-funded” student for EOF.  

7. If I fail a class, will I lose my EOF Grant?

The answer depends upon whether or not you are making satisfactory academic progress based on your cumulative GPA.  To receive any type of financial aid, including the EOF Grant, students must be in good academic standing and be making academic progression (pace) toward a degree in a reasonable amount of time. Satisfactory Academic Progress is monitored at the end of each fall, spring, and summer semester(s).

8. What must be done to finalize enrollment in the EOF Program and its  Pre-Freshman Summer Academy?

After you have been admitted to Kean University and the EOF Program, you must have taken the placement test, submitted all the required health records to Health Services, submitted all required documents required by the Office of Financial Aid, and if you plan to live on campus during the EOF Pre-Freshman Summer Academy, submitted all required paperwork to Residence Life

Each student who completes the placement test is given a packet at testing. Information is provided on additional steps that must be taken to finalize enrollment. Failure to provide the all the information in a timely manner and as requested results in a cancellation of admission.

9. What are the EOF Summer Academy Workshops?

It is important for students to have a way to learn about how the University and the EOF Program work. Acquiring an understanding of the university and program mission, organizational structure, curricular/program design, and policies and procedures are important to navigating the road ahead. As students are called to meet the challenges ahead they need to know what avenues can be accessed in addressing not only academic, career, personal, and financial issues but also issues of productive citizenship within the college community. The Workshops facilitated by our EOF Counselors/Advisors are meant to start this investigative process.

10. What is living on campus like during the summer, and what monitoring is done to ensure students are adjusting to the EOF Pre-Freshman Summer Academy?

To assist students with managing academically and socially, Residential Assistants, Residence Hall Directors in Residence Life, Faculty, EOF Counselors/Advisors, and Peer Counselors share information about each student. Faculty provide weekly attendance and academic progress reports for their courses, academic coaching and advisement records are shared, and weekly residence life reports are reviewed. EOF Counselors meet with their students at least once weekly, and if there appears to be a situation calling for immediate attention, phone calls are made and meetings are held.

11. Are students able to go home during the six weeks?

Each week, classes end on Thursday afternoon, and students may elect to go home after their last class. Students must return to campus by 10:00 p.m. Sunday.

12. Is working during the six-weeks allowed?

Only weekend jobs can be held during the EOF Pre-Freshman Summer Academy. The academic work cannot be successfully managed while working a part-time job during the week. Weekend jobs are considered to be Thursday night through Sunday afternoon work hours.

13. Can a student have a car on campus during the six weeks?

Yes, but only if the student has been authorized, by Residence Life under special circumstances to do so.

14. What kinds of assistance do EOF Counselor/Advisors provide students during orientation weekend and during the course of the six-weeks?

Each student is required to meet on a one to one basis with his/her assigned EOF Counselor/Advisor during the six weeks. Meeting schedules are set; time is taken to review background information provided by students to the program prior to their arrival on campus, and at all times the students adjustment to the challenges presented by the EOF Pre-Freshman Summer Academy are explored. Whether the challenges are academic, personal, social, career, or financial, the EOF Counselor/Advisor role is one of providing guidance, and where appropriate, advocacy.

Students are assisted with registering for their fall courses, faculty-provided student progress reports are reviewed, and strategies for addressing any concerns with course performance are identified.

15. What types of extracurricular activities are available to students?

Numerous events are planned by Residence life for the EOF Pre-Freshman Summer Studies Academy including a barbecue, recreational activities, movies, etc.