OSP-EOF Brochure

Educational Opportunity Fund

OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Opportunity Scholarship Program / Educational Opportunity Fund

Connect With Opportunities Are you committed to completing your college education, but know that you need extra academic support to succeed? Are you concerned about how to finance your college education? Are you more motivated now than you were in high school? The Opportunity Scholarship Program/Educational Opportunity Fund (OSP/EOF) at New Jersey City University (NJCU) can help you to reach your goals.

You may qualify for OSP/EOF if you: • and your parent(s)/guardian(s) have been New Jersey resident(s) for at least one year before applying, • have a high school diploma or GED certificate, • qualify financially, and • can demonstrate the successful completion of the OSP/EOF Summer Academy.

Connect With Success OSP/EOF is NJCU’s Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program. Over the years, OSP/EOF has helped thousands of qualified students meet their academic and financial commitments and achieve their hopes and dreams for a better future. The program is rich in support services that get you the help you need to succeed.

OSP/EOF Summer Academy The OSP/EOF Summer Academy will help you refine your academic skills and develop your educational and career goals. All tuition and fees, books, activities, and lunches are paid for by OSP/EOF, as are summer residential expenses, including meals for eligible students. Classes are in session for five weeks, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., usually beginning in late June or early July. Additional educational programs will be held in the evenings for residential students.

While components of the program vary each summer, you can expect to be placed in a group focused on particular goals. Throughout the Summer Academy you will receive training in essential mathematics, reading, and writing skills. You will also attend Leadership Seminars that will help you develop personal initiative, a sense of responsibility, and effective study skills.

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Opportunity Scholarship Program / Educational Opportunity Fund

OSP/EOF SUPPORT SERVICES Individual Counseling An assigned OSP/EOF counselor will provide guidance with personal, academic, or financial aid problems, your choice of a major and help with goal setting and time management. Counselors will also encourage you to enhance your NJCU experience by getting involved in the University’s many clubs and student organizations.

Academic Advisement Your individual counselor will monitor your academic progress and provide support from enrollment through graduation.

Peer Counseling Sometimes the best counseling comes from your peers, which is exactly what OSP/EOF’s Peer Counseling Program is all about. Peer counselors are there to assist you with practical solutions or when you just need someone to listen.

Workshops OSP/EOF workshops cover strategies for success and provide opportunities for you to share your experiences with peers as you support each other through your journey to success.

Tutoring Free to all OSP/EOF students, tutorial services help you to improve your study skills, increase proficiency in academic content areas, overcome academic challenges, and remain focused on your academic goals.

Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society As an OSP/EOF student, you may be eligible for membership in Chi Alpha Epsilon, a national honor society that recognizes the academic achievements of students admitted to colleges and universities through academic support programs.

Book Vouchers Book vouchers allow eligible OSP/EOF students to purchase books and supplies at the University bookstore using funds from their financial aid award.

EOF Grant The EOF grant covers a maximum of twelve semesters. Students interested in accelerating their path to graduation may be eligible for additional funds to cover summer classes based on availability of funds.

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NJCU SUPPORT SERVICES Financial Aid Advisement Financial aid counselors will guide you through every step of the financial aid process, from reviewing all required documents to completing financial aid applications.

Cooperative Education Program NJCU’s Cooperative Education Program counselors will help you to gain invaluable working experience in your field of study while you are still a student.

Career Planning And Placement NJCU’s Office of Career Planning and Placement counselors will help you to prepare for a successful transition to the workplace after you complete your degree.

Discover NJCU For Yourself!

You are welcome to tour NJCU’s facilities, meet with admissions personnel, and learn firsthand about NJCU’s programs and campus life. Financial aid counseling can also be arranged.

To schedule a campus tour, please call University Admissions at 201-200-3234.

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Opportunity Scholarship Program / Educational Opportunity Fund

OSP/EOF FRESHMEN APPLICATION PROCEDURE To Apply Online: 1. Visit www.njcu.edu/applynow, then scroll down and click on “Undergraduate Application.”

2. Check the “YES” box on the application question asking if you are interested in EOF/OSP. 3. Be sure to include the following to complete your application: • A personal essay of 250 words or less that highlights your interests, aspirations, and motivation for attending NJCU. You may submit this as an online attachment.

• The following documents must be mailed to the address below: • Official high school transcript • Letters of recommendation from two teachers (optional) University Admissions Hepburn Hall, Room 207 2039 Kennedy Boulevard Jersey City, New Jersey, 07305 For questions regarding your application, contact the admissions office at 201-200-3234.

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Opportunity Scholarship Program / Educational Opportunity Fund

APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID After completing and submitting your application to NJCU, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. On the FAFSA, list NJCU as your first-choice college to be sure that your financial information is sent to NJCU. The Federal School I.D. code is 002613.

If you need assistance filling out your FAFSA, NJCU financial aid officers are available to help. To schedule an appointment, call 201-200-3173 or 201-200-3145. The Office of Financial Aid is located in Hepburn Hall, Room 215.

OSP/EOF Transfer and Re-admit Students As a transfer or re-admit student, you are eligible for consideration as an OSP/EOF student at NJCU if you received at least one semester of EOF funds from your former college or university and continue to meet EOF eligibility requirements. You must have at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average to be granted an OSP/ EOF transfer or re-admit interview.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE 1. Complete an online NJCU Admissions Application by visiting njcu.edu/applynow and clicking on “Undergraduate Application.�

2. Once NJCU accepts you as a full-time transfer or re-admit student, complete and submit an OSP/EOF Transfer or Re-admit Application.* 3. Complete the FAFSA, which is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

*OSP/EOF transfer and re-admit applications are available in the OSP Office, Vodra Hall, Room 211.

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OSP/EOF GRADUATE STUDENTS EOF Graduate Grants are available to EOF alumni from throughout the state who are pursuing graduate studies at NJCU and continue to meet EOF eligibility requirements.

Application Procedure • Complete the online NJCU Graduate Application by visiting njcu.edu/applynow and clicking on “Graduate Application.”

• Complete the FAFSA by visiting fafsa.ed.gov.

• Once you are accepted as a full-time graduate student taking nine credits, submit an EOF/OSP graduate application.* • Schedule an appointment with the OSP Program Assistant by calling 201-200-3167.

(Be sure to bring your completed OSP/EOF Graduate Application.)

*OSP/EOF Graduate Grant applications are available in the OSP Office, Vodra Hall, Room 211

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Opportunity Scholarship Program / Educational Opportunity Fund

FINANCIAL AID There are many ways to help finance your undergraduate and/or graduate education. Most OSP/EOF students are eligible for these financial aid programs. To learn more about them and how to apply, contact NJCU’s Office of Financial Aid at 201-200-3173 or 201-200-3145.

Grants, Loans, and Federal College Work-Study • Federal Pell Grant • State of New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) • State of New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund (OSP/EOF) • Federal Supplement Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) • State of New Jersey EOF Graduate Grant • Loans Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized) are guaranteed loans based on financial need and do not require a credit check. Repayment of these loans begins 6 months after the student ceases to be enrolled in the university at least half-time or completes their program of study.

A Parent Plus Loan is for parents of undergraduate dependent students only. The Plus loan is made to the parent and the application must be completed online. A credit check will be performed as part of the application process and the loan must be fully approved before funds are sent to the university and applied directly to the student’s account.

• Federal College Work-Study Program (CWS) The College Work-Study Program pays students to work part-time, on-campus during the academic year.

The number of work hours is based on a student’s financial need as well as the availability of funds.

For more information, visit www.njcu.edu/financialaid

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Opportunity Scholarship Program / Educational Opportunity Fund

OSP/EOF CONTACTS EOF Freshmen 201-200-3355 osp@njcu.edu

EOF Transfer and Re-admit Students Sabrina Magliulo Associate Director 201-200-3355 smagliulo@njcu.edu

EOF Graduate Candidates

Dorane Johnson Program Assistant 201-200-3167 djohnson2@njcu.edu

Opportunity Scholarship Program Vodra Hall, Room 211 Jersey City, NJ 07305 Telephone: 201-200-3355 Fax: 201-200-2368

NJCU RESOURCES Financial Aid

Hepburn Hall, Room 215 Phone: 201-200-3173 Fax: 201-200-3181 financialaid@njcu.edu

Registrar

Hepburn Hall, Rooms 213/214 Phone: 201-200-3333 Fax: 201-200-2062 registrar@njcu.edu

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Bursar

Hepburn Hall, Room 106 Phone: 201-200-3045 Fax: 201-200-2049 bursar@njcu.edu

Campus Card Services Hepburn Hall, Room 114 Phone: 201-200-2273 Fax: 201-200-2551 ccs@njcu.edu

Undergraduate Admissions

Hepburn Hall, Room 207 Phone: 201-200-3234 Fax: 201-200-2044 admissions@njcu.edu

Graduate Admissions Hepburn Hall, Room 206 Phone: 201-200-3409/3410 Fax: 201-200-3411 grad_dept@njcu.edu

Campus Tours Discover first-hand what it’s like to be an NJCU student. Meet with an admissions counselor and tour our beautiful campus with one of our student ambassadors. Campus tours are offered Mondays & Thursdays at 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.

Opportunity Scholarship Program 2039 Kennedy Boulevard Jersey City, New Jersey 201-200-3355