Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)

Index

• About EOP
• EOP Support Services
• How do I know if I am eligible to apply?
• Application procedures and deadlines
• How are EOP participants selected?
• Summer Bridge Program
• Photo Album
• Where are we located?
• EOP Mid Semester Evaluation
• EOP Staff

About EOP

EOP is a student centered program that provides college access to students whose educational and economic circumstances have limited their college educational opportunities.  EOP aids in the success of students by providing a comprehensive program of active and targeted support aimed at increasing academic accomplishment and individual empowerment.

The ultimate goal is to provide incoming students from disadvantaged backgrounds with the tools that will help them succeed in college and ultimately graduate from California State University Channel Islands.

Find out if you are eligible for EOP.

EOP Support Services

The following support services are provided by EOP:

• Assistance with the admissions and financial aid process
• Academic guidance and programming
• Tutoring services
• Summer Bridge Program
• Student leadership development
• Career exploration
• Mid-semester evaluations
• Academic development workshops
• Group meetings
• Personal counseling and support
• Mentoring
• Priority Registration

How do I know if I am eligible to apply?

You may apply to EOP if:

• you are a California resident
  AND
• your family has a history of low-income
  (based on EOP Income Guidelines)
  AND
• you are the first generation in your family to attend college. (Your parents have never received a four-year college degree, including any degree(s) from a foreign country.) If you are not a first-generation student, you may still apply for EOP, but priority will be given to first-generation applicants,
  AND
• you are a first time freshman
  AND
• you are a high school graduate or passed the High School Proficiency Examination
  OR
• you did not graduate from high school but meet the CSU freshman eligibility requirements through a GED program.

Application procedures and deadlines

If you feel that you meet the qualifications for EOP, you may request a paper application or you may go to http://www.csumentor.edu/admissionapp/ to fill out an on-line EOP application.

Note: You MUST submit an undergraduate application BEFORE you can apply for EOP.

Your file will be complete once all required documents for the University and EOP are received.  We review student files as quickly as possible. It is important for you to know that we have limited space available for EOP admits, so students are admitted on a first come first served basis.  Therefore, it is critical that you complete your file EARLY.

We will keep you informed of your application status via mail or email. It is extremely important that you inform us immediately of any change in address. However, if you do not hear from us or the University within two months of your applying, it is your responsibility to follow up on your own application. We strongly suggest you periodically call the EOP Center at (805) 437-8515 to check on the status of your file.

The EOP application deadline is December 5, 2009.

How are EOP participants selected?

All EOP applicants are reviewed by a committee made up of EOP and campus staff. The committee members review each file individually. Decisions are based on academic performance and personal information provided on the EOP forms. It is important that you provide the kind of information that helps the committee understand why you need the services provided by EOP.

Summer Bridge Program

The Summer Bridge Program was established in 2004 to provide an orientation to college life, review basic skills, and provide academic advisement to incoming EOP students. Through a residential program, Summer Bridge assists incoming freshmen with needed support as they prepare for the rigors of university work. Summer Bridge focuses on mathematical skills, creative reading and writing, study sessions and tutorials, and other activities that are part of the full Summer Bridge experience. Participants benefit from personalized attention, individualized instruction and accessibility to campus resources.

Program Goals:

By the end of the Summer Bridge Program students should be able to:

• Smoothly transition from high school to college
• Develop a greater self-awareness as student scholars
• Develop a greater intellectual independence and critical thinking “habits of mind”
• Develop a realistic understanding of the university-level course expectations
• Begin to understand how human groups are culturally defined and redefined
• Develop a greater understanding of inter-group relations

Program Expectations:

• It is mandatory for all incoming EOP freshmen to attend Summer Bridge
• Students are expected to actively participate in discussions and complete all assignments in order to satisfactorily complete Summer Bridge
• Students are expected to work in groups to complete a writing/research project
• Continuing EOP students will work as peer mentors to coach incoming EOP freshmen students
• Students are expected to complete a Library workshop
• Students are expected to understand the University’s academic integrity policies
• Students are expected to form study-groups to assist in preparation and researching for their projects
• Students are expected to present on their projects

Where are we located?

The EOP offices are located in the Bell Tower Building East, Room 1808.

They can be reached at (805) 437-8939 or by fax at (805) 437-3268.

EOP Mid-Semester Evaluation

Instructors may complete the EOP Mid-Semester Evaluation Form by visiting the EOP Mid-Semester Evaluation Form page.

Instructors will require a password to complete the form, which can be obtained from EOP Staff as listed on this page.

EOP Staff Contact

• Leah G. Alvarado, Coordinator of EOP 

Photo Album