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Future Students - Eligibility Criteria
EOP Admissions Income Criteria
Learn more about the Income Eligibility Criteria.
Fall 2027: EOP Admissions Eligibility
Transfer Students Eligibility & Requirements;
- Apply for Admissions to Sacramento State via the Cal-State Apply website
- Be an Upper Division and or a Lower-Division Transfer applicant and meet university requirements
- Be a California Resident and or meet the AB-540 eligibility
- Be a first-generation college applicant (neither parent and or guardian has earned a four-year college degree in the United States)
- Complete all five steps on the EOP Supporting Information questions
- Respond to the EOP Biographical Questions
- Request two electronic Letters of Recommendation
- Submit a FAFSA and or a CADAA to our campus for Fall 2027-2028
- Meet the Student Aid Index (SAI) of $1,500 or below
First-Time Freshmen Eligibility & Requirements;
- Apply for Admissions to Sacramento State via the Cal-State Apply website
- Be a graduating high school senior applicant and meet university requirements
- Be a California Resident or meet AB-540 eligibility
- Be a first-generation college applicant (neither parent and or guardian has earned a four-year college degree in the United States)
- *Earn a grade of C or higher in the “A-G” subjects and have a qualifying 2.5 GPA or higher*
- Complete all five steps on the EOP Supporting Information questions
- Respond to the EOP Biographical Questions
- Request two electronic Letters of Recommendation
- Submit a FAFSA and or a CADAA to our campus for Fall 2027-2028
- Meet the Student Aid Index (SAI) of $1,500 or below
*First- Year students who have a lower GPA and or deficient A-G High School subjects, will be reviewed on a case-by-case scenario for Special Admissions to the program and campus.
Fall 2027 Program Important Deadlines
STEP 1:
Apply for admissions to Sacramento State and EOP online via the www.calstate.edu/apply between October 1 to December 15, 2026
STEP 2:
Complete the five steps on the EOP Supporting Information tile via the of the Cal-State Apply website.
STEP 3:
EOP applicants must submit full responses to their EOP Biographical Questions via the Cal-State Apply before January 15, 2027.
STEP 4:
EOP applicants must submit two electronic EOP Letters of Recommendation via www.calstate.edu/apply before January 31, 2027.
STEP 5:
Applicant must submit the 2027-2028 FAFSA and/or California Dream Act Application between October 1 to March 1 to our campus.
STEP 6:
EOP applicants must have a FAFSA and/or CADAA on file and meet the Student Aid Index of $1,500 or below to qualify.
STEP 7:
EOP admissions notifications will be available to applicant via “My Sac State” email in early March.
EOP Biographical Questions
Incoming new students applying for the fall semester must complete the EOP Biographical Questions under the Supporting Information tile via the Cal-State Apply website. Applicants must complete these questions between October 1 - January 15
- Briefly describe your family's economic background. Include information about your financial challenges.
- Why would you like to attend college? Discuss your career and personal goals. Are there any circumstances, school experiences, or people that influenced your preparation or motivation to attend college (e.g., cultural/financial background, family, teachers, schools you attended)? Please explain.
- Briefly discuss your academic background. Did you utilize any additional support at your high school, such as tutoring? Do your grades in high school and/or college reflect your academic ability or potential?
- List any volunteer, extracurricular activities, or work experience in which you are or have been involved in the past two years.
- Is there any additional information you would like EOP to consider in determining your admission to the program?
EOP FAQ's For All Applicants
The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) is a California State University (CSU) program designed to provide comprehensive support for first-generation and economically disadvantaged students.
- EOP Grant*
- Retention services
- Financial aid advising
- EOP graduation ceremony
- Class registration assistance
- Academic and career advising
- Campus visits and EOP presentations
- Admissions and EOP application assistance
- Professional development and engagement opportunities
- Transitional programs (Summer Bridge Academy & Transfer Bridge Program)
- Referrals to other support services (wellness, career, academic support, etc.)
* Admitted students who are enrolled in 12 or more units per semester will be eligible to receive the EOP Grant.
Prospective first-year and/or transfer students who are applying for the fall semester to the university must meet the following:
- Meet the University Admissions Requirements to apply as a first-year or transfer applicant
- Be a first-generation college student (neither parent/guardian has earned a four-year college degree)
- Be a California resident and/or meet AB 540 eligibility
- Submit the FAFSA and/or CADAA to our campus
- Have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of $1,500 or below
- Complete the EOP application on the Cal State application
- Students applying for admission to the university may apply to EOP between October 1 and January 15 through the Cal State Apply Admissions Application (Supporting Information tile).
- On the “Supporting Information” tile, when prompted “Are you interested in applying to EOP?”, select “Yes.”
- Applicants must also complete the EOP biographical questions and submit two electronic letters of recommendation.
No. EOP only admits new, incoming students who apply for admission to the fall semester.
Yes. Incoming students can access the EOP application and complete all required questions only when applying for admission to the university as new or returning students.
If you miss the deadline, you will not be able to apply later once you are already enrolled.
- EOP admission notifications will be sent to students in March via their CSUS email.
- Students must first create their MySacState
- If admitted, you will be asked to complete and submit your EOP Student Agreement Form.
- EOP students who are enrolled in 12 or more units per semester and have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of $1,500 or below may be eligible for an EOP Grant. The Financial Aid Office will award and disburse the grant.
- The EOP Grant is not guaranteed; funds are limited and awarded based on financial need.
- All students must complete the FAFSA and/or CADAA to be considered.
Yes. Your Cal State Apply submission is shared, but each campus makes independent decisions and has different application deadlines.
No. Admitted EOP students will be reviewed for eligibility to receive an EOP Grant, which will be awarded and disbursed by the Financial Aid Office.
No. The EOP application is fully integrated into the online Cal State Apply system, and paper applications are not accepted. Students must complete and submit their EOP application, including recommendation forms, through the online portal.
No. The EOP program at our university only admits students who apply for the fall semester.
No. If you are not admitted to EOP, you cannot reapply after you have already enrolled.
First Year Applicants FAQ's
Prospective first-year students applying for the fall semester must meet the following requirements:
- Meet the University Admissions Requirements to apply as a first-year applicant
- Be a first-generation college student (neither parent/guardian has a four-year college degree)
- Be a California resident and/or meet AB-540 eligibility
- Submit FAFSA and/or CADAA to our campus
- Have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of $1,500 or below
- Respond to the EOP application questions on the Cal-State Application
- Respond to the EOP Biographical questions
- Submit two electronic letters of recommendation
Once admitted to our program, students are expected to meet the first-year EOP Student Agreement Requirements until graduation.
Yes. EOP requires all admitted students to participate in the mandatory EOP Summer Bridge Academy Program. Please read more about the program here: EOP Summer Bridge Requirements and Benefits
Transfer Applicants FAQ's
Prospective transfer students applying for the fall semester must meet the following requirements:
- Meet the University Admissions Requirements to apply as a transfer applicant
- Be a first-generation college student (neither parent/guardian has a four-year college degree)
- Be a California resident and/or meet AB-540 eligibility
- Submit FAFSA and/or CADAA to our campus
- Have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of $1,500 or below
- Respond to the EOP application questions on the Cal-State Application
- Respond to the EOP Biographical questions
- Submit two electronic letters of recommendation
Once admitted to our program, students are expected to meet the transfer EOP Student Agreement Requirements until graduation.
No. The EOP Transfer Bridge Academy Program is optional for admitted transfer students. Please read more about the Frequently Asked question here:
Yes. EOP at Sac State is open to all eligible transfer students, regardless of EOP participation.
Yes. EOP (community college) and EOP (CSU) are separate programs.
No. Each CSU campus reviews EOP applications individually.
No. EOP only accepts transfer students who are applying for the fall semester.
Fall 2027- Next Steps for EOP admitted students
The following steps below are for students admitted to our EOP program. Additional information and details will be shared via email.
STEP 1:
Admitted students must create their “My Sac State University Account” to access campus emails.
STEP 2:
Admitted students to our program must respond to their electronic EOP Student Agreement Form
STEP 3:
Admitted students will need to respond to their university Intent to Enroll (ITE) for admissions to the campus.
STEP 4:
All new incoming new students are required to attend a New Student Orientation for the University. (EOP students will receive additional information and details on the email for their orientation session.)
STEP 5:
EOP admitted students must attend a mandatory EOP Virtual Welcome Presentation (dates/times and details will be shared with those admitted to the program)
* EOP First-Year incoming students will be required to attend their EOP Summer Bridge Academy Program
*We encourage students to check your campus email and Student Center “To Do List” for additional campus requirements and deadlines.