Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF)

Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Program

The Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Program provides access to higher education for educationally and financially disadvantaged students, as defined by the State of New Jersey, Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, Educational Opportunity Fund. Students are admitted via an alternate admission category and are eligible to receive a state-funded Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Grant. The EOF Program provides student-centered advising, counseling, and academic support services to assist students in developing their educational, interpersonal, and professional goals. The main objective of the program is to assure that all students obtain their baccalaureate degree and pursue professional fields of work or graduate studies. The support services offered by the EOF Program augment those offered to all students by the University. The program supports Kean University’s dual mission of access and academic excellence. The EOF staff works collaboratively with various departments to support students' academic and social success in transitioning to college.

All EOF students are required to attend workshops that provide academic reinforcement, self-development, and career development activities to ensure continued sequential development of skills and strategies critical to academic success. Workshops serve to address the needs of all students by providing access and awareness through group meetings, lectures, and career/cultural trips that motivate students to align their studies and career goals toward graduating in four years. Each semester, counselors host workshops to discuss concerns common to all students on a particular class level. These meetings allow for interaction among peers and the development of social processes. Listed below are the class levels and a description of the focus and scope of the workshops in each area.

FRESHMAN

Students are expected to acclimate themselves to the responsibilities and demands of college life.

Students are introduced to a variety of majors and encouraged to cultivate self-awareness and competencies.
Students also develop supplemental goals and objectives based on unique interests, talents, educational enrichment opportunities, informative workshops and activities.

Students are considered freshmen when they have earned 0 to 28.5 college credits.

SOPHOMORE

Students are expected to gain greater awareness of self by selecting a college major that will correlate with their career goals and objectives. This will be accomplished by:

Clarifying personal and career goals.
Designing personal academic plans.
Declaring a major by end of sophomore year.
Utilizing campus resources related to professional and educational plans.

Students are considered sophomores when they have earned 29 - 55.5 college credits.

JUNIOR

Students are expected to explore career options and develop a personalized Career Plan. Students participate in workshops, presentations and other activities that are designed to prepare them for graduate studies and/or the world of work.

Students participate in workshops, presentations and other activities designed to assist them in preparing for admission to graduate school or to seek a career in their chosen field.
Utilizing assessment, students identify skills and qualifications they will need to be successful and focus on developing or enhancing them.
Students will create a personalized Career Portfolio.

Students are considered juniors when they have earned 56 to 89.5 college credits.

SENIOR

Students are expected to prepare for graduate studies or employment in a specific career field. Students engage in internship programs with the goal of becoming employment ready and globally competitive. The goal is to expedite the transition of seniors into graduates and active alumni.

Students will be polishing their Career Portfolio in preparation for seeking employment.
Students pursue internships in government offices, corporations, law offices and nonprofit organizations.
Students will attain experience and training in the career field of their discipline.
Students satisfy internship hours required for their majors.

Students are considered seniors when they have earned 90 or more college credits.