Admission Eligibility & Procedures

The Montclair State Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Program seeks students who demonstrate outstanding potential for academic success. If you want to benefit from the invaluable support and resources the EOF program offers and become a part of our EOF community, we strongly encourage you to apply! We welcome the following EOF applicants: First-Time Freshmen, First-Time Transfer Students, Internal Transfer Students, and Graduate Students (those pursuing a Master’s or Doctoral degree).To be considered for the EOF program, you must first meet the eligibility criteria set by the State of New Jersey, as listed below:

State Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for admission through the EOF Program (View State Requirement website), you must:

• Reside in New Jersey for at least one year prior to submitting your admission’s application to the university
• Have received a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate
• Meet the NJ State Higher Education income criteria  (see chart below)

2025-2026 EOF Income Eligibility Scale with Asset Cap Calculation

EOF First-Time Freshman

You are considered a First-Time Freshman Applicant if you have never attended any college or university after graduating high school. This category also includes students who will be entering with advanced standing meaning, they have earned college credits before graduating from high school.

Visit the EOF Freshman Admissions web page to review the full information and to complete:

• Financial components for pre-qualification; financial documents required
  
• Academic Eligibility
• Other requirements for admission

EOF Admission Counselor: Ashley Molina

EOF First-Time Transfer

You are considered a First-Time Transfer Applicant if you have previously enrolled and completed coursework at another institution, earning college credits, and the decided to transfer to a different school to continue your education.

Visit the EOF Transfer Student web page to review:

• Academic Eligibility
• Required documents demonstrating your EOF financial eligibility

EOF Transfer Counselor: Lisa Garrity

EOF Internal Transfer Student 

You are considered an Internal Transfer Applicant if you are currently enrolled at Montclair State University but have not previously been part of the EOF program. If you believe you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply to join the EOF program for the upcoming academic year.

EOF Transfer Information Contact: Melissa Pecora

EOF Internal Transfer Inquiry Form

EOF Graduate Grant

You are considered a Graduate Grant Applicant if you are pursuing a Master’s or Doctoral degree at Montclair State University and meet the eligibility criteria for the EOF Graduate Grant Program.

The objective of the graduate EOF program is to increase participation in graduate and professional study of New Jersey residents from backgrounds of historical poverty. Students who received EOF grants as undergraduates shall be given priority consideration for EOF graduate grants however, to be considered for the graduate grant you must apply for the grant every academic year, the grant does not automatically roll over. These grants are renewable based upon continued eligibility.

Graduate Eligibility (View State Requirement website for more details.) 

1. Must demonstrate an educationally and economically disadvantaged background
2. Must be a New Jersey resident 12 consecutive months prior to receiving the award
3. Must apply and be accepted to a participating New Jersey college or university
4. Must be a full-time graduate student as defined by the institution
5. Must meet the financial eligibility criteria as defined in the undergraduate section above
6. Must be in a degree/certificate program with a minimum requirement of 24 equivalent semester hours and be at least one academic year in duration.

EOF Graduate Grant Contact:  Carmen Reyes-Cuevas

EOF Graduate Grant Inquiry Form