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 questions.

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

EOF first year students must attend the mandatory five-week EOF Pre-First Year Summer Studies Program that is a bridge to academic and social success.

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.

Ramapo College is test-optional for all undergraduate programs, except articulation programs (Biology/Dental-LECOM, Biology/Optometry-SUNY Optometry, Biology/Osteopathy-LECOM, Biology/Pharmacy-LECOM, Biology/Pharmacy-Touro College, Law & Society-Seton Hall Law School, Political Science-Seton Hall Law School, and Visual Arts/Art Therapy- Caldwell University).

If you choose to submit an SAT or ACT score, please indicate that on your application. 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.

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)

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.

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 Application Requirements

• Application for Admission
  • Select “Yes” to applying for EOF and complete all EOF Questions
• Official High School Transcript
• One Letter of Recommendation (2 preferred)
• Complete 2019 and 2018 Federal Tax Returns (IRS Form 1040, including all schedules and worksheets)
• Additional financial verification documents (see section below)
• Official SAT and/or ACT test scores (optional; required if applying to articulation programs)

Transfer Application Requirements

• 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 is the 2019 and 2018 Federal Tax Return (IRS Form 1040) for parent(s) and the applicant (if applicant filed taxes in 2019).

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 Legal Guardianship with someone who is not a than biological parent(s)
  • Applicant’s 2019 Federal Tax Return (if student filed taxes)
  • Legal Guardianship Court 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.

First Year Financial Requirements are based on the total number in household and total family income. Total income includes wages from work, non-taxable income and all assets. These income requirements change annually. Below are the requirements for students for the 2021 – 2022 academic year.

Add $8,960 in income and $1,792 in assets for each additional family member.

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 Scholarship 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 scholarship 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 tuition 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.