If an applicant attended a college or university here in NJ (or outside of the state) and has no history of having received an EOF academic year term grant, are they eligible to be considered for EOF at a participating institution?
Yes. The applicant must demonstrate that they meet all EOF eligibility requirements. Additionally, the applicant must apply and be accepted into the EOF campus program associated with their institution. Admission into EOF is conducted by the participating institution.
Can EOF funds be given to a student who attends or enrolls in a school outside of New Jersey or at a non-participating institution?
No. EOF funds are intended to support students to attend and graduate from an institution that participates in the Fund.
If a student received an EOF grant and decides to transfer to another participating institution/program, are they guaranteed a spot or an EOF grant?
No. EOF is not an entitlement program. Students must contact the EOF campus program director well in advance to discuss with them their ability to admit and provide the student with an EOF grant.
Is there EOF Funding available for eligible graduate students?
Yes! While limited, EOF currently offers graduate level funding. Interested applicants should contact the NJ institution they plan to enroll at to see if this option is available and to obtain more information regarding the application process.
Are NJ Dreamers eligible for EOF consideration?
Yes. Students who qualify to be considered as a NJ Dreamer must complete the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application. Students who qualify for this designation must still meet all other EOF eligibility criteria.
Since the process to recruit and review EOF applicants can vary by institution, who gets to make the final determination on which EOF eligible students are admitted to the program and awarded an EOF Article 3 grant?
Per 9A:11-4.4(h)(i), “Each participating institution shall provide for the campus EOF administrator/director to participate actively in all institutional policy making that affects the EOF program and its students, including academic standards, recruitment and retention. At each participating institution the campus EOF administrator/director shall make the final determination on admitting students to the EOF program and awarding EOF Article 3 grants.”
Can an EOF undergraduate academic year program enroll students in their summer program via a blind admission effort (i.e. not having received and reviewed any financial documentation as it relates to the student’s financial eligibility)?
No. EOF campus programs must have some form of financial evidence/documentation as it pertains to a student’s financial eligibility.
Is it mandatory for all first-time first-year students to participate in the EOF summer program?
No. This is an institution/EOF campus program decision.
How many years of tax information do you suggest a program to review to establish a history of poverty?
3 years. With the incorporation of prior-prior tax information being used to file the FAFSA, it is recommended that programs use at least three years (i.e. For AY23-24, programs should consider reviewing the 2021, 2022, & 2023 tax information). More may be required to adequately establish a history of poverty.
Does a transfer student need to receive an AY EOF UG grant at their previous institution to qualify for admission into another EOF undergraduate campus program?
No. Prior EOF history is not required for a transfer student to qualify for EOF admission consideration.
Does the EOF Undergraduate Grant amount vary by enrollment status and institutional type?
Yes. The amount of the EOF grant will vary depending on the student’s enrollment status (F/T vs. P/T) AND whether or not a student is attending a county college, a private institution, or a senior public institution.