EOF is an academic support program that makes access to college possible with funding and guidance to students who have grown up in poverty.

If you can answer yes to one or more of these questions, you may be eligible:

• Are you the first in your family to attend college?
• Do you or your family have a low annual income?
• Do you or your family participate in a government assistance program?
• Will you register for 12 or more credits?
• Have you registered for ENGL 151/098, MATH 023, or MATH 161/165?
• Are you eligible for PELL, TAG, or CCOG grants?

Yes. EOF will be listed among your other financial aid awards. You must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every October to requalify your eligibility for financial aid and EOF.

Through a selective process, we look for motivated students with potential as well as the interest and ability to work with advisors. The interview serves as an important process in making selections. It offers a chance for applicants to be informed and make an active choice in accepting a possible offer to join EOF.

We document applicants’ history of poverty. Did you grow up poor? Did your family receive government assistance such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), General Assistance (GA), Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), or Work First New Jersey (WFNJ)?

EOF is NOT an entitlement program, applicants are selected. Eligibility does not always result in acceptance and an award.

The interview helps us to review your eligibility. It is a chance for us to meet one-on-one and begin relationship-building. Working together with an EOF advisor is  the cornerstone of the work we do.

The interview is from 45 to 60 minutes long. We ask a series of questions. All you need to do is be yourself. We suggest you use the interview to determine if EOF is a good match for you. Does our program support your goals and objectives? Can EOF help you earn your degree? Ask us how we can help.

We are pleased to also offer WebEx videos during this time of social distancing.

Once all supporting documents have been supplied, we review your folder and can make an admission decision quickly. You will need 2 years of income documentation, both taxable and non-taxable, as well as other documents that help us understand the financial/economic history of your family.

Be mindful of all communications from our Financial Aid office as well as the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA), documents required by either entity affect our ability to award and process an EOF grant.

No. As long as you remain enrolled, you do not have to reapply. Remember, however, on October 1 to complete your FAFSA for the next academic year. Applying for financial aid is required to maintain EOF eligibility.

If eligible at OCC, you may be EOF eligible at a senior institution. We recommend you check with that institution regarding their admission process. Additionally, you may need to complete an EOF application, interview, etc. This link identifies participating institutions and contact information: https://www.nj.gov/highereducation/EOF/EOF_Eligibility.shtml

Senior institutions will require a Transfer Form. That form identifies you as an EOF recipient and places you higher on the priority funding framework. Once you have completed our exiting process, we will send a transfer form to that institution with a copy to you.

No. Grants are a form of free monies and do not require repayment.

EOF is a vibrant community. We require academic coaching, meeting with your advisor, and being engaged on campus. We want you to grow as a scholar and as an individual. We want you to embrace the concept of lifelong learning.

A course shell in Ocean Connect lists all program requirements. Upon acknowledgment of acceptance, permission to access the course is provided.

For information about requesting tax return documentation, visit the IRS website.

This service will include instructions on how to obtain:

• A Tax Return Transcript
• Wage and Income Transcript (If you did not file taxes)
• Verification of Non-Filing Letter

You will have the option to Request Online or Request by Mail
Please choose the manner in which you will make the request and follow the directions.

Please note:

• Pay close attention to the required documents needed to make the request including social security and/or individual tax identification number, etc
• If you get misdirected you can get back to the request page by clicking ‘Tax Record (Transcript) on the left-hand column under the heading, “Your Information”
• You may find yourself directed to a different site depending upon the server/search engine you use. We recommend using the Google Chrome browser.

For more information, visit the IRS website.