Applying to EOP

Since 1969, the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) has helped expand access to higher education for students who have historically faced economic, educational, or social barriers to attending college. At CSUB, EOP serves students who demonstrate academic potential and motivation and who may benefit from additional support as they pursue their first undergraduate degree.

EOP provides access, guidance, and support services to help eligible students navigate the transition to college, persist academically, and work toward graduation. The program primarily serves low-income, first-generation, and educationally disadvantaged students.

Students must be admitted to EOP before beginning their first semester at CSUB. EOP applications are not accepted after a student’s first semester at the university. Review the eligibility requirements below before beginning your application.

EOP Admissions Eligibility

To be considered for the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), you must:

  • Be a California resident or qualify for AB 540 status.
  • Demonstrate financial need and meet EOP income guidelines.
  • Be a first-generation college student. This means neither parent nor guardian has earned a four-year college degree in the United States.
  • Pursuing your first undergraduate degree.
  • Demonstrate academic potential, motivation, and educational need.
  • Be applying to CSUB before beginning your first term.  Students cannot apply to EOP after their first semester.

EOP First-year Students

EOP first-time freshmen are current high school students or recent high school graduates who have not previously attended college.  This includes students who earned college credit through dual or concurrent enrollment and students submitting Advanced Placement (AP) scores for college credit.

First-time freshman applicants must:

  • Complete the required “A–G” college-preparatory courses.
  • Earn grades of C or better in the “A–G” courses.
  • Have a qualifying GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Students with a lower GPA or deficiencies in “A–G” coursework may be considered for special admission on a case-by-case basis.

EOP Transfer Students

EOP transfer students are applicants who have attended or are currently attending a community college or another University/College campus and are transferring to CSUB.

Transfer applicants must:

  • Meet CSUB and CSU transfer admission requirements.
  • Apply as an upper-division or lower-division transfer student.
  • Be pursuing their first undergraduate degree.
  • Provide two letters of recommendations through the EOP application.

One letter of recommendation must be from an EOP&S staff member at the student’s community college.  CSU transfer students should submit one recommendation from an EOP staff member at the first CSU campus they attended.

EOP welcomes eligible students of all races, genders, ethnicities, national origins, and backgrounds.

EOP Income Guidelines

EOP applicants must demonstrate significant financial need.  Applicants should meet the low-income guidelines listed below.  In most cases, EOP students will have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of $1,500 or lower.  EOP-eligible students with a SAI above $1,500 are not eligible for the EOP Grant. 

For dependent applicants, this contribution is based solely on parental income and does
not take into account any parental assets nor does it assume any contribution from the
student's income or assets. For independent applicants, the contribution is based strictly
on income with no consideration of available savings or other assets.  

Applicants must submit the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application by the applicable priority deadline so their financial eligibility can be reviewed.

2026–2027 EOP Income Guidelines

Dependent Students

This is a chart with income guidelines for dependent students

Family Size

Maximum Income

2

$48,200

3

$55,100

4

$65,000

5

$74,500

6

$84,900

7

$93,100

8

$102,000

*Add an additional $8,100 when there are more than eight in the household for dependent students.

 

Independent Students

This is a chart with income guidelines for independent students.

Family Size

Status

Maximum Income

1

Single, no dependents

$20,300

2

Married, no dependents other than spouse

$36,900

2

With dependents other than spouse

$62,300

3

 

$72,600

4

 

$86,600

5

 

$99,800

6

 

$114,500

7

 

$126,600

8

 

$140,900

*ADD $14,750 for each additional family member when there are more than 8 in the household.

 

2027–2028 EOP Income Guidelines

Dependent Students

This is a chart with income guidelines for dependent students

Family Size

Maximum Income

2

$49,500

3

$56,500

4

$66,700

5

$76,500

6

$87,500

7

$95,700

8

$104,100

*Add an additional $8,400 when there are more than eight in the household for dependent students.

 

Independent Students

This is a chart with income guidelines for independent students.

Family Size

Status

Maximum Income

1

Single, no dependents

$20,750

2

Married, no dependents other than spouse

$38,000

2

With dependents other than spouse

$63,750

3

 

$74,500

4

 

$89,000

5

 

$102,750

6

 

$118,750

7

 

$130,250

8

 

$145,000

*ADD $15,550 for each additional family member when there are more than 8 in the household.

 

Applying to the Educational Opportunity Program is easy!

Apply for admission electronically at Cal State Apply.
Select "Yes" to apply to EOP on the Supporting Information tile.  Your EOP application is not considered complete until you complete the three EOP sections and provide two recommenders.
  • Enter information about your parents/guardians and their financial status. 
  • Answer the autobiographical questions
  • Provide the email addresses for two letters of recommendations, one of which must be from an academic professional.
    • At least one recommender should be an academic professional.  Follow up with your recommenders to confirm that both recommendations are submitted by the CSUB EOP deadline.

Application for Financial Aid is a separate process from the EOP and general admission process.  

  • Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application. You may apply online at the FAFSA website or the California Dream Act Application website.
  • EOP applicants must have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of $1,500 or below to qualify for our program
  • When completing the FAFSA or CADAA, select California State University, Bakersfield and enter the federal school code 007993 in the “School Code” field.
  • Submit the GPA Verification Form (for Cal Grant eligibility). For more information, see the Cal Grant website.
Check your email regularly for important updates regarding your CSUB admission, EOP application, financial aid, and required documents.

Complete and submit the EOP New Student Agreement and SAI Summary by the deadline provided by upon request from the CSUB EOP Office.  

The SAI Summary is required to determine whether you meet EOP’s income eligibility guidelines.  The Student Aid Index (SAI) is based on information submitted through the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application.  Submitting an accurate SAI Summary is important because EOP cannot complete its eligibility review without it.

The EOP New Student Agreement confirms your understanding of EOP program expectations and your commitment to participating in required EOP services.  Both documents must be submitted for your EOP application to be reviewed and finalized.

EOP Application Status

Your EOP application will remain pending until the EOP staff reviews your completed application file.  Your file must include:

  • Completed EOP application through Cal State Apply.
  • Two letters of recommendation received.
  • Confirmation that you completed the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application.
  • EOP New Student Agreement and SAI Summary submitted to EOP Office.

Key EOP Deadlines

Freshman & Transfer Applicants

  • University application deadline: Sept 28, 2026
  • EOP application deadline: September 15, 2026
  • EOP recommendation Forms due: September 30, 2026
  • EOP New Student Agreement & SAI Summary due: November 30, 2026

Freshman & Transfer Applicants

  • CSUB Application filing period (Cal State Apply): Oct 1, 2026 – Nov 30, 2026
  • EOP application deadline: Jan 15, 2027
  • EOP Recommendation Forms due: Jan 31, 2027
  • Initial Official Transcript Deadline: Feb 1, 2027
  • EOP New Student Agreement & SAI Summary due: May 1, 2027
  • Summer Bridge (residential program for a selected 100 first-time freshman students): June 2027
  • Roll Call (EOP transitional orientation for all EOP students): June 2027
  • Final Official Transcript Deadline: July 1, 2027

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please feel free to call the EOP Admissions unit at 661-654-2276 or Rocky Maraccini, the EOP Admissions and Retention Coordinator, at 661-654-3219.  He can also be reached via email at rmaraccini@csub.edu.