Eligibility & Applying for EOP

Eligibility requirements

To be considered for the EOP program, you must:

• Have/plan to have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Meet the NJ state-mandated income guidelines
• Enroll as a full-time student
• Must be a New Jersey resident 12 consecutive months prior to receiving the award
• Must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application (HESAA)
• Must demonstrate an educationally and economically challenged background
• Must be able to provide requested supporting documents, examples are Federal Tax Transcripts, W-2's, Tax Return Schedules (such as Schedule C), Social Security Statements and any other requested documents that are needed for your review
  • How to get your Tax Return Transcript (PDF)

How to apply

1. Complete an application for admission to Rider University - indicate EOP interest on the Common Application
2. Complete the EOP Questionnaire
   Questionnaire can be found on student's Be- A- Bronc Dashboard
3. Submit all materials as soon as possible
   • All supporting documents can be uploaded to the dashboard or emailed to [email protected]
   • The priority deadline to be considered is March 1, 2025

Income & Asset Eligibility Scale

2024-2025 EOF Income Eligibility Scale with Asset Cap Calculation

For additional information, please visit the New Jersey EOF web site.

For students who are US citizens or permanent residents, but whose parents are not legally documented residents of the state of NJ.

For students who are United States citizens or permanent residents, but whose parents are not legally documented residents of the state of New Jersey, you are still eligible to participate in the Educational Opportunity Program as long as you can establish legal residency in New Jersey notwithstanding the residency of your parent(s) and have been a permanent resident of New Jersey for at least 12 months prior to the start of college and are not residing in New Jersey for the sole purpose of receiving an education.

For example, if you are a U.S. citizen but your parents are not citizens and do not hold a permanent residency card, you will initially be denied state financial aid. If you believe you can provide supporting documents as proof of your residency notwithstanding the residency of your parent(s) i.e. high school transcript, GED, income tax returns, etc. upon receipt of this documentation, HESAA will make a determination of your State grant eligibility and send you a Student Eligibility Notice (SEN) reflecting your potential State grant eligibility. 

If this is applicable to you, you can request a review of HESAA's preliminary decision to deny State funding by providing HESAA with the necessary documentation. If you need assistance with this process, please contact the admissions office.

For more information regarding the review process for students with undocumented parent(s), please visit the HESAA website.