EOF Freshman Admission

EOF Freshman Eligibility

In order to be considered for freshman admission into the EOF Program at Kean University, an applicant:

• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Is required to be a New Jersey resident for at least one year prior to enrollment at Kean University.
• Must fully complete the admissions application process.
• Must meet the income eligibility guidelines for household income based on size as determined annually by the State of New Jersey, Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, Educational Opportunity Fund.
• Has an educational background that shows need for improvement of academic skills.
• Intends to enroll full-time (at least 12 credits per semester).
• May attend a high school and/or live in a targeted socioeconomic area as identified by the State of New Jersey, Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, Educational Opportunity Fund.
• May have successfully completed a New Jersey Gear UP/College Bound/Upward Bound  Program.
• May have a sibling who was or is enrolled in an EOF Program in New Jersey.
• May be eligible for government assistance and/or educational programs for low-income or disadvantaged populations (TRIO programs, free and reduced breakfast/lunch, food stamps).
• NJ Dreamers are eligible to apply for the EOF Program. Students must graduate from a New Jersey high school, have attended for three years and cannot be visiting the U.S. on a visa. 

Applying to the EOF Program

• Fill out an undergraduate admissions application online at www.kean.edu.
• Make sure to indicate you are applying for the EOF Program by selecting “EOF Freshman" on the Common Application or Kean University online application.
• Complete the EOF Supplemental Application on your Kean Cougar Application Portal
  • If you did not request EOF at the time of application, email EOFAdmissions@kean.edu and request to have the EOF Supplemental Application placed on your application portal
• To be considered for admission as an EOF Freshman, you must be eligible for the EOF grant and meet the above household income guideline. To review your application for EOF eligibility, please complete and submit the following:
  • 2022 Proof of Income
  • 2021 Proof of Income
  • 2024-25 Student Aid Report (SAR)

Securely upload your documentation via ShareFile

The Kean EOF Program utilizes ShareFile for applicants to upload requested documentation to verify EOF eligibility securely. Follow these simple steps to upload your information:

• Complete this Kean University EOF Financial Eligibility Form
  • Be sure to select “Summer 2024 Freshman” as the student type
• Look for the email from ShareFile support notifying you that you've been added to ShareFile
  • Click on the 'Activate Account' button within that email
• Create your 12-character password, and then log in with your new credentials
• Click on the folder with your name and then click on ‘browse files’ to upload the documents to this folder

2024-2025 Academic Year EOF Income Guidelines

If your Parent/Guardian DOES file taxes:

1. File the FAFSA (at www.fafsa.gov).
2. Submit the PARENT signed 1040 including all schedules or IRS Tax Return Transcript, printed directly from the IRS website or requested for home mailing, at no cost, from the IRS at www.irs.gov or 1 (800) 908-9946.
3. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please provide a copy of your permanent resident card.

If your Parent/Guardian DOES NOT file taxes:

1. File the FAFSA (at www.fafsa.gov).
2. IF YOUR FAMILY DOES NOT FILE TAXES, please provide the “IRS Letter of Non-Filing“ along with statements from each of the sources of income for the household, such as:

-W-2 statement(s)  if you and/or your parents/guardians worked but did not/will not file taxes.

-Public Assistance Statement (Welfare, Housing Assistance, Food Stamps).

-Social Security Statement.

-Disability Benefits Statement.

-Pension Benefits Statement.

-Unemployment Benefits Statement.

-Child Support Statement.

-Veterans Benefits Statement.

   4.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, please provide a copy of your permanent resident card.

If you are an Independent Student:

1. File the FAFSA (at www.fafsa.gov).
2. Submit the STUDENT signed 1040 or IRS Income Tax Return Transcript, printed directly from the IRS website or requested for home mailing, at no cost, from the IRS at www.irs.gov or 1 (800) 908-9946. If the STUDENT worked but did not file taxes, please provide a letter of non-filing from the IRS indicating that you did not file taxes.  If you did not file taxes, please provide the “IRS Letter of Non-Filing.”
3. Provide the court paperwork or the Division of Children and Family Services letter.

If you are an NJ DREAMER:

1. Complete the HESAA.org Dreamers application
2. Provide your PARENT signed 1040 or a copy of the IRS Tax Return Transcript.  If they did not file taxes, have your  parent submit a letter from the employer on letterhead indicating how much they make annually

Your offer of admission into the EOF Program  as a freshman is contingent upon the following:

• Pay the Kean University tuition deposit
• Schedule your placement test and academic advising appointment
• Attend the EOF Orientation - Saturday, June 22nd*
• Attend and successfully complete the mandatory Summer 2024 Summer Academy - July 1st- August 1st*

* dates subject to change