Frequently asked questions
The Educational Opportunity Fund Program, or EOF Program, is one of the nation’s most successful comprehensive student support programs. EOF is a state-funded program designed to provide an opportunity for higher education to disadvantaged New Jersey residents who would be unable to attend and/or succeed academically in college without the financial assistance and special services that are part of this program.
The program is intended for students who show potential and exhibit evidence of academic and/or creative promise but who have limited educational and financial resources for college because of inadequate high school preparation and have economic backgrounds that reflect a history of poverty.
Our record speaks for itself. 94% of EOP freshmen continue on to their sophomore year at Rider – well above the national average freshman retention rate of 72%.
No. To be considered for the EOP program, students must follow the following steps to apply to Rider. After submitting their application and other required materials (which must be submitted by February 1), they will be notified via their student portal if they meet the eligibility requirements.
Freshman applicants must meet academic eligibility requirements as well as be financially eligible for EOP. The financial eligibility requirements are the same for all EOP/EOF Programs in the State of New Jersey. Rider University reserves the right to make the final decision on who as admitted into our cohort fo students based on the applicant pool.
Eligibility is based on the total number in household and the total amount of income (taxable and non-taxable income). Nontaxable income includes Social Security Income, Unemployment, Disability, TANF/Welfare, Child Support, and other untaxed income. Students must also report any assets that are owned by the family to determine eligibility.
Transfer applicants must submit an EOP/EOF Transfer Form with your application. If your EOP/EOF Program has its own EOP/EOF Transfer form, you may submit that instead. Transfer applicants will not be admitted into EOP/ EOF unless this document is submitted. If transfer applicants are not part of the EOP/EOF Program at their current institution, they must contact the Admissions Office at Rider University at 609-896-5042 // [email protected] to discuss how to apply for EOP at Rider University.
Submission requirements
- EOP Questionnaire
- FAFSA
- Parent Official IRS Federal Tax Transcripts & W-2 2019- All pages
- Parent Official IRS Federal Tax Transcripts & W-2 2018- All pages
- Parent Official IRS Federal Tax Transcripts & W-2 2017- All pages
- Situation specific documentation- If applicable
Account Transcript will not be accepted for EOP committee review.
All EOP Freshman applicants must submit the appropriate documentation to verify their financial eligibility for admission through the EOP Program. If your family does not have copies of these documents, you can submit all pages of a Federal Tax Return where the student is claimed.
Other than the Tax Return, what other documents would I need to submit for EOP Committee Review?
Under legal guardianship with someone who is not a parent?
Submit:
- All legal guardianship paperwork confirming current guardianship status
Orphan, live in foster care, or are a ward of the court?
Submit:
- Verification of Status Letter: From School Counselor, Social Worker or Division of Youth Services for Applicants who are wards of the state, an orphan or living in foster care
Have a two-/multi-family house or other rental properties?
In addition to the tax returns, submit:
- Current Mortgage Statement with principal balance for all rental properties owned
Applicants whose family’s do not file taxes still need to provide documentation detailing the source(s) of family income. If your family’s income solely or partially comes from nontaxable sources (e.g., social security, unemployment, disability, TANF/welfare, alimony, child support); you will need to provide benefits award letters for each source that outlines the monthly or annual award. Copies of these documents can be retrieved from IRS website or local IRS Office.
- Submit a Letter of Non-Filing from the IRS for 2019, 2018 and 2017
- Benefits Award Letter for all sources of nontaxable income- If applicable
Options to retrieve a copy of your IRS Tax Transcript
Yes. The State of New Jersey allows for NJ Dreamers/undocumented students to apply for state aid programs like the Tuition Aid Grant, the EOF Program, NJ STARS and NJ STARS II, and the Governor’s Urban Scholarship so long as you meet specific criteria. You will need to complete the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application on the HESAA website.
- EOP Questionnaire
- NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application
- Parent Official IRS Federal Tax Transcripts 2019- All pages
- Parent Official IRS Federal Tax Transcripts 2018- All pages
- Parent Official IRS Federal Tax Transcripts 2017- All pages
All incoming Freshmen admitted through Rider University’s EOP Program must participate in the mandatory 6-week Summer Academy. EOP’s residential Summer Academy runs from July through August and is 100% free for students.
Incoming EOF Transfers are not required to participate in Rider University’s EOP Summer Academy.
Yes. The State of New Jersey allows for NJ Dreamers/undocumented students to apply for state aid programs like the Tuition Aid Grant, the EOF Program, NJ STARS and NJ STARS II, and the Governor’s Urban Scholarship so long as you meet specific criteria. You will need to complete the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application on the HESAA website.