What is the Educational Opportunity Fund program (EOF)?
The New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) provides financial assistance and support services (e.g., counseling, tutoring, and developmental coursework) to students from educationally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds who attend participating institutions of higher education in the state of New Jersey. Undergraduate grants are awarded annually, depending on the type of institution and financial need. These grants are renewable based on continued eligibility.
How do I confirm my seat in the EOF program at TCNJ?
Students must submit their Enrollment Notification Form and EOF Contract, which can be found on their online Application Portal. To confirm a seat in the EOF program, these forms and a non-refundable $65 enrollment deposit must be submitted no later than June 1st, 2026.
What is the EOF Summer Institute at TCNJ?
The EOF summer institute is a one-time mandatory immersive experience, the summer before the freshman Fall semester. The institute is designed to acclimate students to the TCNJ campus environment and foster a meaningful connection among all members of the TCNJ EOF community. All students who enroll in the EOF program at TCNJ must reside on campus during the summer institute and the academic school year (in their first and second years) to receive the TCNJ Promise Award.
What funding does the TCNJ EOF Promise Award provide?
The TCNJ EOF Promise Award aims to minimize the financial burden on students by providing comprehensive support and resources for professional, personal, financial, and academic success. The Promise Award includes funding from the New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant (TAG), and the aid offered to each student differs based on their financial circumstances. IMPORTANT: While the Promise Award covers a significant portion of the student’s financial need in their first and second years, some students will need to borrow loans to supplement their expenses. As part of the TCNJ EOF Promise Award, the student’s financial aid package will include subsidized loans with a maximum of $3,500 in their first year and $4,500 in their second year. Subsidized loans accrue no interest while the student is in school, and repayment typically begins six months after graduating.
Students in their third and fourth years are eligible to receive funding based on continued financial eligibility and academic progress.