Admission Requirements

To apply to the EOF Program at Ramapo College of New Jersey, students must select “Yes” to applying for EOF on the application for admissions and complete the EOF-specific section of the application.

All EOF applicants need to:

• Be a New Jersey state resident for at least 12 consecutive months prior to enrollment
• Demonstrate a history of poverty or long-term economic hardship with minimal assets
• Come from an educationally and economically disadvantage municipality or community
• Receive a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma (GED) before enrolling
• Intend to enroll at full-time status (12-18 credits per semester)
• Meet the academic criteria for admission to Ramapo College through the EOF Program
• Meet financial eligibility requirements as outlined by the NJ Office of the Secretary of Higher Education

Students interested in being considered for the EOF Program must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year (FAFSA code: 009344). NJ Dreamers must complete the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application as well as meet all other EOF eligibility criteria to be considered for the EOF Program.

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.

All EOF applicants must meet both academic and financial requirements for admissions.

First Year Academic Requirements (except pre-medical programs)

• • GPA: 2.5 on 4.0 scale (B-, 75/100)
  • Class Rank: Top one-third of your class (if reported)

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)
  • Class Rank: Top one-third of your class (if reported)

Standardized Test Policy

Ramapo College is test-optional for all undergraduate majors and 4+1 programs. The policy does not cover the following joint programs:

• Biology/Dental – LECOM
• Biology/Optometry – SUNY Optometry
• Biology/Osteopathy – LECOM
• Biology/Pharmacy – LECOM
• Biology/Pharmacy – Touro College
• Biology/Physical Therapy – Rutgers)
• Law and Society – Seton Hall Law Program
• Political Science – Seton Hall Law Program

The Biology/Pre-Med Track and Biology/Dental Track are both test-optional alternatives to the joint medical programs above. Both of these Biology tracks work with the College’s Pre-Med/Pre-Health Advisor to assure students can apply to the medical school of their choice as early as possible. The College’s Pre-Law Advisement Program can assist students in either Law and Society or Political Science (both test-optional majors) to prepare to apply to the law school of their choice.

If you choose to submit SAT or ACT scores, please indicate that on your application. Minimum SAT for EOF consideration is 950, while the minimum ACT Composite score is 19. If you choose not to submit, we will review your application holistically using other documents and submitted materials. For those who submit both SAT and ACT test scores, we will use the test that highlights the applicant the best.

Transfer Academic Requirements

EOF Transfer applicants must meet all general transfer requirements:

• GPA: 2.5 or higher
• Be in good academic and social standing at current institution

Please see Transfer Admissions Requirements for all transfer requirements, including requirements for selective programs like Nursing, Biology and Social Work.

EOF transfer applicants must also submit an EOF Transfer Verification Form with their application, to verify current enrollment in the EOF Program at their previous institution. Applicants can submit either Ramapo’s EOF Transfer Verification Form, the current institution’s verification form or the NJ EOF State Verification Form.

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

First Year and 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. Space is limited in our EOF Program so applicants are encouraged to apply and submit all required documentation prior to their application deadline.

First Year EOF Application Requirements
All supporting credentials should be submitted to the Office of Admissions. Academic requirements should be submitted by your current high school. Financial documentation must be submitted by 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)
• Family’s 2020 and 2019 complete Federal Tax Returns (IRS Form 1040, including all schedules and worksheets) or family’s 2020 and 2019 Federal Tax Return Transcripts from the IRS website.
• Additional financial verification documents based on (see section below)
• Official SAT and/or ACT test scores (optional; required if applying to articulation programs)

Transfer Application Requirements
All supporting credentials should 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)
• Official High School transcript (if transferring with less than 45 college credits)

First Year applicants are required to submit documentation to verify financial eligibility for EOF. The general documents required for income verification for dependent students are their parent’s 2020 and 2019 Federal Tax Returns (IRS Form 1040) or Federal Tax Return Transcripts.

Additional documents are required based on individual applicant’s status. Missing documentation will only delay the review of the application. Please contact Jose Vallejo in 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
  • Current Child Support End of Year Statements or official letter stating amount of support received monthly
• Applicant qualifies as an NJ Dreamer/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 fo Non-Filing from the IRS (available from IRS website or local IRS Office)
  • Benefits Award Letter for all sources of nontaxable income (e.g., SSI, TANF/Welfare, etc.)
• Applicant is under Court-Issued Guardianship with someone who is not a biological parent
  • Applicant’s 2019 Federal Tax Return (if student filed taxes)
  • Court-issued Guardianship* Document
• Student is a Ward of the Court, in Foster Care, and/or an ophan
  • Applicant’s 2019 Federal Tax Return (if student filed taxes)
  • Official Letter from case worker or state agency verifying this status
• Applicants whose family owns a 2-Family/Multi-Family home
  • Property Tax Assessment for all properties owned from your municipality’s Tax Assessors Office
  • Most Recent Mortgage Statement with Principle Balance

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

EOF Income Eligibility Scale
This scale is based on the total number in household and total family income. Gross income includes wages from work, non-taxable income and all assets. Below is the scale for the 2022 – 2023 academic year.

Add $9,080 in income and $1,816 in assets for each additional family member.

Financial eligibility for first year applicants is determined by the required financial documentation and additional supplemental documentation that may need to be submitted.

Financial eligibility for 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.

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

The EOF financial aid package utilizes a combination of federal and state grants, a subsidized federal student loan with a locked-in interest rate and institutional funding. First Year students who successfully complete the EOF Pre-First Year Summer Studies Program with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or greater will be awarded an institutional grant of up to $5,000, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.

Students who continue to meet the eligibility requirements each year will receive up to $5,000 per year toward their cost of attendance for the sophomore, junior and senior years, totaling up to $20,000 in institutional aid. When combined with other federal and state grants, the EOF financial aid package will reduce the amount of out of pocket cost of attendance each year.

Additional Scholarships for Continuing EOF Students

Each year the Ramapo College Foundation provides more than 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.