Stony Brook has received funding from SUNY to enhance its Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), which provides access, academic support and financial aid to low-income and academically underprepared students, helping them prepare for and succeed in college. The University was awarded $350,000, which was tone of the largest amounts given among the 16 SUNY campuses that received funding.
“Congratulations to all of the campus communities receiving support for the expansion of this critically important program, which broadens access and increases completion and success for some of New York’s neediest students,” said SUNY Chairman H. Carl McCall.
“The Educational Opportunity Program at SUNY is one of our most successful and sought after programs, with more than 30,000 students applying for 2,500 available seats every year,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “We are thrilled to be sharing these awards with our campuses in recognition of their excellent work and dedication to student success.”
“The Assembly Majority has been a longstanding advocate of the need for accessible and affordable higher education,” said Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, a Stony Brook alum. “The opportunity programs at SUNY campuses around the state have been tremendously successful at helping students and families achieve a college education. We will continue our efforts to strengthen this important investment so that the promise of higher education can be within reach of every student.”
“Our SUNY campuses are filled with exceptional students from diverse backgrounds who deserve the great opportunities a college education can provide,” said Senate Majority Leader John J. Flanagan. “The Senate is proud to help support the expansion of EOP programs that will give even more New Yorkers the support they need to reach their full potential and create brighter futures.”
“The Education Opportunity Program has a solid record of success,” said Senator Ken LaValle, Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee. “It provides an atmosphere for those students in need and provides the tools necessary for them to achieve their educational goals.”
SUNY’s EOP program has a six-year baccalaureate graduation rate of 65 percent, far exceeding the national rate of 56 percent for all public institutions. In 2014-2015, more than 3,000 EOP students achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or greater.
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