University at Albany SUNY

Be a New York State resident for the 12 months before enrolling. Require alternate admissions consideration — EOP is for students who show promise but may not otherwise be offered admission. Qualify as economically disadvantaged: household income must not exceed a limit set annually by household size, unless your circumstances meet a published exception (the family receives Family Assistance, Safety Net or Family Day Care payments; the student is in foster care; or the student is a ward of the court or county). Open to first-time, full-time, matriculated students. A transfer student must have been enrolled in EOP, College Discovery, SEEK, HEOP or a similar program at their previous college. Admission is subject to program capacity, and priority goes to applicants from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Provides personal counseling, academic advisement, tutoring, skill development workshops, supplemental instruction and mentoring, plus modest financial aid toward non-tuition costs such as books and supplies. SUNY publishes no per-campus dollar amounts. Applicants may qualify for application fee waivers on their first seven campus choices. Students found ineligible for EOP may still qualify for admission and financial aid through the ordinary processes.

For the page's Fall 2026 eligibility context: incoming first-year student, incoming transfer with an earned associate degree, or transfer from an ASAP/ACE program; meet UAlbany undergraduate admission requirements. U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, including eligible NYS DREAM Act students; reside in New York State and qualify for in-state tuition. Complete FAFSA and TAP or the eligible HESC alternate NYS-aid path, and receive at least $1 of Pell or NYS grant aid (TAP or Excelsior). EOP participants, engineering majors and fully online programs are excluded. Meet regularly one-on-one with the ACE advisor, file aid annually and accept awarded federal/state grant aid; follow approved degree maps to graduate in four years for first-year or two years for transfer students. Enroll in at least 15 credits per semester, take summer/winter courses if fewer than 30 credits are earned by academic year end, participate in required activities and respond promptly to ACE staff. Confirm requirements for the intended intake with the campus.

The campus publishes attendance support of up to $550 per year after financial aid is applied; textbooks up to $150 per semester and $300 per year; and a $50 monthly stipend up to $400 per year for transportation, groceries and other needs. Up to $1,250 in combined annual support. Separate winter/summer course scholarships are unquantified and excluded from this total. Eligibility text is labeled Fall 2026, while the rendered inquiry form asks about Fall 2027 first-year and transfer students; these do not establish the award effective year or guarantee intake. The page does not state an award effective year. These are maximum amounts, not guaranteed payments or enrollment; confirm current eligibility, aid, participation and availability with the campus.