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SUNY Empire State College program to make college more accessible
SUNY Empire State College program to make college more accessible
Listen to this articleA new financial aid and educational support program is available in New York that provides more flexibility for incoming or returning college students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Empire Opportunity Program was announced over the weekend by SUNY Empire State College, which will begin with 60 students at its Buffalo campus and online starting in the fall semester. Other campuses will be added later.
Unlike other state educational opportunity programs, this one is available to full-time and part-time students and to students of any age who are either starting college or returning to their studies.
“With the changing demographics of today’s college student, SUNY Empire State College’s new program will provide the same successful opportunities to the growing population of adult student learners and students at all stages of life,” said Guillermo Linares, president of the NY State Higher Education Services Corporation.
SUNY Empire EOP will offer:
–Financial aid, such as stipends for full-time and part-time students;
–Dedicated professional and peer tutors;
–Student success mentors from enrollment through graduation;
–Summer orientation;
–Year-round workshops on topics such as resume writing and self-marketing;
–Early-degree planning.
Education is a critical rung in the ladder of success, building a strong middle class and improving lives,” Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said. “This expansion to SUNY Empire will make it easier for New York’s students to get the education and support they need in the manner that best suits their lives — whether that’s on a campus, online or a combination of the two.”
Students must meet financial and academic guidelines to be included in the program. They also must be residents of New York for at least 12 months. Information is available from Empire State College’s website at esc.edu/eop.
“SUNY Empire’s new EOP initiative will put a college degree within reach for many New Yorkers, especially adults and returning students, who may have thought a higher education was impossible,” Dana Brown, the program’s new director. “This is an important step toward achieving the full promise of higher education as a path to a better life for all, not just some.”
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