Who May Apply to EOP?

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) serves students from historically underserved communities. Students who are California residents or classified as AB 540 applying to the California State University (CSU) system are eligible to apply to EOP via Cal State Apply. In order to gain admission to San Diego State University’s EOP program, students must apply to SDSU and EOP by the required deadlines, demonstrate academic potential and motivation to succeed, and meet the income criteria below.

Learn more about EOP requirements, benefits, and how to apply:

EOP Income Criteria

EOP applicants should demonstrate the family is unable to provide an annual contribution of more than $1,500 toward their college expenses. These guidelines are intended to identify and give priority to the most financially needy applicants. Low income criteria is determined through the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) which is derived from the FAFSA application and cannot exceed $1,500 to be eligible for EOP services. EOP applicants must apply for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California DREAM Act application by January 5th in order to determine program eligibility by the priority deadline as spaces to SDSU EOP are limited.

For dependent applicants, this contribution is based solely on the parental income and does not take into account any parental assets nor does it assume any contribution from the student's income or assets. For independent applicants, the contribution is based strictly on income with no consideration of available savings or other assets.

For independent students with dependents other than, or in addition to, a spouse, use the income for the appropriate family size in the Dependent Student Category. These guidelines reflect an income level that will generate an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of approximately $1,500 or below.

You are considered INDEPENDENT if any of the following apply to you:

1. are 24 years old or older
2. have dependents (i.e. children)
3. are married
4. a military veteran
5. a documented foster youth

EOP Income Guidelines 2024-2025

DEPENDENT Student Workbook

EOP Income Screening Criteria Dependent Students Family Size Maximum Income            2          $44,900            3          $51,350            4          $60,600            5          $69,450            6          $79,100            7          $86,750            8          $94,300   Add $7,500 for each additional family member when there are more than eight in the household.

INDEPENDENT Student Workbook

EOP Income Screening Criteria Independent Students Family Size Maximum Income Single, No Dependents          1         $18,950 Married, No Depedents Other Than Spouse          2         $34,450   With Dependent Other Than a Spouse Family Size Maximum Income            2          $58,000            3          $67,700            4          $80,750            5          $93,100            6          $106,800            7          $118,150            8          $131,450   Add $13,775 for each additional family member when there are more than eight in the household.

 

Financial Assistance

EOP grants will be awarded so long as funds are available and administered through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. The application for financial aid is a separate process from the EOP admission process. Please visit the SDSU Financial Aid website for additional information or check your financial aid status via AidLink by logging in with your SDSU ID information (if you have already applied).

AB 540 Students

If you are an undocumented or AB 540 student coming to SDSU, we encourage you to apply to EOP. You must follow the same EOP application process and deadlines as all EOP applicants.

For more information on how to apply for EOP, please visit the How to Apply page or contact us at [email protected] or 619-594-6298.