All students applying to the New Jersey EOF Program need to meet the following program requirements :

• Be a New Jersey state resident for at least 12 consecutive months prior to receiving the award
• Demonstrate an economically disadvantaged background with minimal assets
• Demonstrate an educationally disadvantaged background
• Receive a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma (GED) before enrolling
• Meet financial eligibility requirements as outlined by the NJ Office of the Secretary of Higher Education
• Complete an initial Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and renew the application each year (Ramapo FAFSA code: 009344) or the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application if applicant is a qualified undocumented student
• Meet the academic requirements for admission to Ramapo College through the EOF Program

Ramapo College Specific Requirements
Applicants must activate their Ramapo Application Portal and assure that all required documents listed on their online checklist are submitted to be reviewed for admission to Ramapo College and its EOF Program. Login information and activation link is included in the confirmation email from the Ramapo Admissions Office that is sent when a student’s application for admissions is submitted to Ramapo College.

All EOF first year students enrolling at Ramapo College must attend the mandatory five-week EOF Pre-First Year Summer Studies Program that is a bridge to academic and social success. Successful completion of the Summer Program is necessary to continue enrollment at Ramapo College and receive EOF funding.

First year applicants must meet academic requirements below to be considered for admission to Ramapo’s EOF Program. Final admission to the EOF Program at Ramapo College is based on meeting program, academic and financial requirements for admissions.

First Year Academic Requirements (except pre-medical programs)

• GPA: at least a 2.5 on 4.0 scale (B-, 75/100)
  • Rigor of coursework taken in high school is considered
• Class Rank: Top half of your class (if reported by your high school)

First Year Academic Requirements (Nursing and all pre-medical programs)

• GPA: 3.0 on 4.0 scale (B, 83/100)
  • Strong Math grades (preferably 4 years of math)
  • Strong Science grades (preferably 4 years of science, including Biology and Chemistry)
  • Rigor of coursework (particularly in math and science) taken in high school is also considered
• Class Rank: Top half of your class (if reported)

Standardized Test Policy
Ramapo College is test-optional for all undergraduate majors and our 4+1 Programs. Those applicants choosing to apply for our Articulation Programs (Biology/LECOM Dental Medicine, Biology/SUNY Optometry, Biology/LECOM Osteopathic Medical College and Biology/LECOM Pharmacy) are required to submit either SAT or ACT test scores.

Students looking to pursue pre-medical programs and choosing not to submit SAT or ACT test scores can apply to our Biology/Pre-Medical Track that is a test-optional program and allows students to apply to the medical school of their choice. 

First Year applicants must submit an application for admission to Ramapo College along with required credentials listed below by the appropriate application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Because space is limited in our EOF Program, applicants are encouraged to apply and submit all required documentation prior to their application deadline.

First Year EOF Application Requirements
All credentials must be submitted to the Office of Admissions at Ramapo College. Transcript and recommendations must be submitted your current high school in order to be verified as official documents. Financial documentation must be submitted by the applicant through the Ramapo Application Portal.

• Application for Admission
  • Select “Yes” to applying for EOF and complete all questions in EOF Section of the application
• Official High School Transcript
• One Letter of Recommendation (2 preferred)
• Submission and completion of the FAFSA and any related NJ-FAMS – NJ EOF forms
• Additional financial verification documents based on responses to EOF Supplement (see section below)
• SAT and/or ACT test scores (optional; required if applying to joint medical programs)

First Year admitted students MAY be required to submit documentation to verify financial eligibility for EOF. For the Fall 2024 start, EOF applicants are required to submit their completed FAFSA (or NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application for qualified NJ undocumented students), listing Ramapo College on the application to determine financial eligibility for the EOF Program. Students will also need to activate their NJFAMS account on the NJ Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (NJ HESAA) website.

Additional documents may be required based on an individual applicant’s status. Please contact the Office of Admissions for other situations not listed below.

• Applicant is a Permanent Resident (Green Card holder)
  • Copy (front and back) of Alien Registration Card
• Family receives Child Support as a source of family income
  • Current Child Support End of Year Statements or official letter stating amount of support received monthly
• Applicant qualifies to receive state aid as an NJ Undocumented Student
  • Submit NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application through NJ HESAA
  • Submit proof of verifiable income such as tax return, IRS wage statements, and/or benefits award letter for federal/state agencies (i.e., TANF, etc.)
• Family income comes from nontaxable income sources (i.e., not from work wages) and family does not file taxes
  • Letter of Non-Filing from the IRS (available from IRS website or local IRS Office) for 2022 and/or 2021
  • Low Income Verification Form located in the applicant’s Ramapo Application Portal
  • Benefits Award Letter for all sources of nontaxable income (e.g., SSI, TANF/Welfare, etc.) identified on Low Income Verification Form
• Applicant is under Court-Issued Guardianship with someone who is not a biological parent and has no contact with biological parents
  • Copy of the court-issued Guardianship* document
  • Applicant’s 2022 Federal Tax Return (if student filed taxes)
• Student is a Ward of the Court, in Foster Care, and/or an orphan
  • Official Letter from case worker or state agency verifying this status
  • Applicant’s 2022 Federal Tax Return (if student filed taxes)
• Applicants whose family owns a 2-Family/Multi-Family Home that family lives in
  • Property Tax Assessment for all properties owned from your municipality’s Tax Assessors Office
  • Most Recent Mortgage Statement with Principle Balance
  • Schedule 1 and Schedule E of the family’s 2022 Federal Tax Return

*Legal guardianship is different from Custody. Students under legal guardianship have a
guardian that is not a biological parent with no contact with biological parent/s.

EOF Transfer applicants must meet all criteria for general admissions and submit all required credentials. Criteria for admissions includes:

• GPA: at least a 2.5 or higher at prior institution
• Final high school transcript for applicants with less than 45 earned credits
• Be in good social standing at any and all institutions attended in the last three years

For transfer criteria for admission to Nursing Program, Biology major and our Social Work Program as well as transfer degree policy and articulation agreements, please see Transfer Admissions Requirements page.

Transfer applicants who would like to apply for EOF at Ramapo College but are not currently enrolled in an EOF Program at a participating NJ college or university need to contact the EOF Office at Ramapo College (eofdesk@ramapo.edu) to discuss admission into EOF as a non-EOF transfer student.

Transferring College Credits
Transfer applicants must submit official college transcripts from all colleges attended in order to all credits to Ramapo College. Applicants must have a C or higher in the course in order to transfer the credits to Ramapo College. Transfer applicants can transfer a maximum of 65 credits from an accredited community college and a maximum of 80 credits from an accredited four-year school.

Transfer applicants must submit an application for admission to Ramapo College along with required credentials listed below by the appropriate application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Applicants are encouraged to submit all required documentation prior to their application deadline.

Credentials are to be submitted to the Office of Admissions by your current institution, either electronically, by email (admissions@ramapo.edu) or by mail.

• Application for Admission
  • Select “Yes” to EOF and complete all EOF Questions
• Official college transcript for all colleges attended
• Completed Transfer Candidate Form for all colleges attended
• Completed EOF Transfer Verification Form (PDF) to verify enrollment in EOF at previous institution*
• Official High School transcript (if transferring with less than 45 college credits)

*  Transfer Applicants who are not enrolled in EOF at current institution, will need to
    apply for EOF at Ramapo College will need to contact the EOF Office at 201-684-7542.

EOF transfer applicants must submit an EOF Transfer Verification Form (to be completed by the EOF Office at their current institution) to verify current enrollment in the EOF Program and be admitted to EOF at Ramapo College. Transfer applicants who do not submit this document will not be considered for the Ramapo EOF Program.

Financial eligibility requirements for EOF eligibility is determined by the NJ Office of the Secretary of Higher Education and are the same for all EOF Programs in New Jersey.

Financial eligibility for first year and transfer applicants is determined by the information provided on the applicant’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application as well as meeting the Income Eligibility Scale for the NJ EOF Program.

EOF Income Eligibility Scale for the NJ EOF Program
This scale is based on the total number in household and total family income. Gross income includes wages from work as well as non-taxable income. Total assets reported by applicant must not exceed the maximum allowed. Below is the scale for the 2024 – 2025 academic year.

Add $10,280 in income and $2,056 in assets for each additional family member.

EOF Scholars are eligible to receive supplemental state aid in the form of the NJ EOF State Grant. This supplemental award is currently a grant of up to $1,950 per semester at Ramapo College. An EOF Scholar’s finance plan typically consists of federal grants, state grants including the EOF State Grant, and optional federal student loans. Other than loans, all other funds do not need to be paid back. Maximum awards available to EOF Scholars is listed below.

EOF First Year Financial Package at Ramapo College (for Qualified First Year EOF Students )

The EOF First Year EOF students who successfully complete the EOF Pre-First Year Summer Studies Program with a cumulative grade point average of 2.3 or greater are awarded an institutional grant of up to $5,000, provided they meet the eligibility requirements. They also receive a $1,400 book scholarship for the first year.

Additional Scholarships for Continuing EOF Students

Each year the Ramapo College Foundation provides close to 400 scholarships that are funded by donations from private donors, businesses, and charitable foundations. These scholarships fall into two categories:

• Foundation Scholarships Students Can Apply For. Student are selected based on their application essay and adherence to individual scholarship criteria
• Foundation Scholarships Students are Nominated For. Faculty members nominate students to the Convening Group and Deans for selection.

To see current scholarship opportunities, visit the Scholarships website.

Other Financial Assistance

Our EOF Program takes special interest in helping students pursue experiential opportunities such as Study Abroad, National Student Exchange or domestic and international cooperative education programs as well as assisting those Ramapo EOF scholars who want to take courses during the summer session.

Students can also apply for awards which cover courses/career related activities including professional educational events, conferences, or enrollment fees as well as graduate school related fees such as application fees, entrance exam and test prep course fees. EOF students interested in these financial assistance opportunities should contact the EOF Office for more information. Additional financial assistance is based on availability of funds.