SUNY Cortland

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.

U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, including eligible NYS DREAM Act students; eligible for in-state tuition; meet SUNY Cortland undergraduate admission requirements. Incoming first-year student with up to 21 credits (excluding high school credits) and a minimum 2.0 GPA, or a transfer student with an earned associate degree and a minimum 2.0 GPA. Enroll full-time (at least 15 credits per semester). Complete FAFSA and TAP or the eligible HESC alternate NYS-aid path, and receive at least $1 of federal Pell or NYS grant aid (TAP or Excelsior) at enrollment; students still completing aid may be conditionally accepted. Not enrolled in EOP. Attend required advisor meetings, file aid each year and accept awarded federal/state grants, follow approved degree maps to graduate in four years (first-year) or two years (transfer), take summer or winter courses if 30 credits are not earned by the end of each academic year, and attend ACE workshops and career development activities. Confirm current requirements and availability with the campus.

The campus publishes a cost-of-attendance award of $550 per year after financial aid is applied; textbook assistance of $150 per semester, $300 per year; and a $50 monthly stipend, up to $400 per year. Up to $1,250 in combined annual support. Winter and summer course opportunities are also listed but not quantified and are excluded from this total. Cortland reported in October 2026 that its first Fall 2026 cohort reached full capacity at 150 students, so a place may not be available. 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.