Frequently Asked Questions
What are the steps to being admitted to the EOPS program?
How and when will I receive a book grant?
Why do I have to make three (3) appointments each
semester?
Does EOPS offer any additional benefits other than book
grants?
What is Priority Registration?
Does EOPS offer evening counseling?
Why do I need to apply for Financial Aid to apply for the
EOPS program?
Are there any exceptions to the 12 unit requirement?
Are there any exceptions to the 70 unit limit at the time
of application?
If I am an EOPS student, but I miss a semester, am I
still in the EOPS program?
If I am denied a book grant, does it mean I'm no longer
in the EOPS program?
What are the three (3) required contacts, and when do I
need to schedule them?
Is it true that EOPS has a library that I can borrow
books from?
Why am I asked to give my Social Security Number to EOPS?
Q: What are the steps to being admitted to the EOPS
program?
A: If a student meets all of the
Eligibility requirements,
they can submit an
application
to the EOPS office. An intake counselor will screen the application and schedule
potentially eligible students for an orientation. During orientation, all of the
program's services and benefits will be explained. Eligible students who agree
to adhere to the program's
guidelines
will be admitted to the program at this time. Back to top ]
Q: How and when will I receive a book grant?
A: EOPS book grants are issued to EOPS students who have followed all of the
Mutual Responsibility Contract (MRC) guidelines during the previous semester.
EOPS book grants are issued the first day of the fall and spring semesters. A
list of students eligible for the book grant is usually posted one week before
each semester. EOPS students are required to sign up for a book grant each
semester they wish to receive one. The
EOPS Newsletter or any
EOPS staff person can provide the dates for sign-up. Back
to top
Q: Why do I have to make three (3) appointments each
semester?
A: EOPS is a state-funded program, and one of the requirements the state has
implemented is that EOPS students meet with a counselor a minimum of three (3)
times each semester. This is in order to ensure their positive academic
progress. Even if a student has no immediate issues that require counseling, they
are still required to keep three (3) appointments each semester to be eligible
for all EOPS benefits. Back to top
Q: Does EOPS offer any additional benefits other than
book grants?
A: Yes. The CARE program
(which is a sub-program of EOPS) offers cash grants to eligible students. EOPS
offers cash grants to nursing students to help offset the costs of participating
in that program. Also, EOPS students receive priority registration. And, EOPS
counselors will write letters of recommendations for students, and help them
find and apply for scholarships.
Please
click here for a more
complete list of EOPS program services and benefits.
Back
to top
Q: What is Priority Registration?
A:
Priority
registration enables EOPS students to be among the first students allowed to
register for classes each semester. Using priority registration gives EOPS
students a much greater chance of enrolling in all of their desired courses.
Back
to top
Q: Does EOPS offer evening counseling?
A: Yes. EOPS has evening counselors available on various days each week,
usually between the hours of
4:00pm to 7:00pm. Back
to top
Q: Why do I need to apply for Financial Aid to apply
for the EOPS program?
A: One of the EOPS
eligibility requirements is that a student demonstrate financial need. To
determine financial need, the state requires that each prospective EOPS student
be eligible to receive a Board of Governors Fee Waiver (BOGFW), which they must
apply for through Financial Aid.
We strongly recommend that a student complete a Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA) form, which includes the BOGFW, to maximize the amount of
financial assistance available to the student. Back
to top
Q: Are there any exceptions to the 12 unit requirement?
A: Yes. Students who have been determined by Special Programs and Services (SPS)
to be unable to complete a full-time schedule can be admitted to EOPS with
less than 12 units. EOPS requires a unit override letter from SPS before a student can be admitted. Back
to top
Q: Are there any exceptions to the 70 unit limit at the
time of application?
A: No. The state requires that a student have completed less than 70
degree-applicable units in order to be eligible for the EOPS program.
Back
to top
Q: If I am an EOPS student, but I miss a semester, am
I still in the EOPS program?
A: If an EOPS student does not make contact with the office for one whole
semester, that student will need to reapply to the program. This rule
applies whether or not the student was enrolled in classes during the semester.
The student will have to meet all eligibility
requirements again to be readmitted to the program. Back
to top
Q: If I am denied a book grant, does it mean I'm no
longer in the EOPS program?
A: No. Being denied a book grant does not automatically disqualify you
from the EOPS program. You will only be exited from the program if you exceed
70 degree-applicable units and aren't eligible for an extension, complete your educational goal, participate in EOPS
for six (6) consecutive semesters, or are exited by the director for repeated
violations of the Mutual Responsibility Contract (MRC). Back
to top
Q: What are the three (3) required contacts, and when
do I need to schedule them?
A: EOPS students are required by the state to meet with an EOPS counselor
three (3) times each semester. A schedule has been created that EOPS students
must follow when making their contacts. The first contact period usually falls
between
the 2nd and 6th weeks of the semester and is used for academic planning and
review. The second contact period usually falls between the 7th and 12th weeks of the
semester and is for students to turn in progress reports for the current
semester. The last contact period usually occurs between the 11th and 15th weeks of the
semester and is for assessing a student's current program status and for
planning for the following semester. Please consult the current
newsletter or the 'Latest
News' section of this website for the current semester's counseling contact
schedule. Back
to top
Q: Is it true that EOPS has a library that I can
borrow books from?
A: EOPS does have a limited number of books that we make available for
EOPS students to borrow for a semester. For more information, please contact the
EOPS office. Back
to top
Q: Why am I
asked to give my Social Security Number to EOPS?
A: EOPS respects your privacy and understands your reluctance to use your
S.S.N. Some of the program's benefits (like book and cash grants) require a
student to have sufficient unmet need as determined by the Financial Aid office.
Financial Aid still processes students with their S.S.N. In order to determine
your amount of need and provide you with benefits, we must submit your
information (including your S.S.N.) to the financial aid office. Back
to top