Opportunity Programs

• Resides in the city of Buffalo;
• At minimum, completed grades 9-12, in consecutive years at a public or charter school in the city of Buffalo (Or is legally designated as having McKinney-Vento status, having refugee status on an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or is an otherwise eligible noncitizen);
• Graduated from a public or charter school in Buffalo beginning in June 2013;
• Enrolled full-time at a Say Yes Buffalo partner college within one year of high school graduation; and
• Applied for and was deemed eligible for federal and state financial aid (FASFA and TAP), including Selective Service, as required by law, every academic year.
• Say Yes tuition scholarships are for eligible students during the Fall and Spring semesters. Say Yes does not assist with winter or summer course tuition.

The Say Yes scholarship at SUNY Erie will cover or go towards a student’s remaining tuition charges (not fees or books) after all federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships are applied.  The amount of the tuition-only scholarship is dependent on the number of consecutive years a student attended a Buffalo public or charter school through grade 12.

Kindergarten  / 100%
1st, 2nd or 3rd grade / 95%
4th, 5th or 6th grade / 80%
7th, 8th or 9th grade / 65%

Courtney Bauer, Case Manager
M-W, City Campus, O146-B
Th-F: North Campus, B300
(716) 270-4470, bauerco@ecc.edu
 
Booker Piper, Case Manager
City Campus, O146-A
(716) 851-1174, piperb@ecc.edu

Erikson Neilans, PhD, VP of Enrollment Management
(716) 270-2974, neilanse@ecc.edu

• Students who show both the ability and the motivation to complete college despite the effects of economic and academic struggles.
• Individuals holding a high school diploma or a high school equivalency (HSE).
• Individuals who have been residents of New York State for a minimum of 12 months prior to enrollment.

• Counseling and financial assistance beyond those services available to the general student population.
• Program counselors assist with academic and personal concerns, academic advisement, career exploration, and transfer options.
• EOP maintains a computer lab and provides tutorial services.
• The program offers several supplemental orientation workshops to assist students transitioning both to college and college life.

• Be first generation college student (neither parent earned a bachelor's degree)
• Be a first time college student in their first semester of college
• Enrolled full-time
• Enrolled in a degree program of study, not just certificate programs

Residency:

• Students must have resided in New York State for a minimum of 12 months prior to enrollment

Academic Qualifications:

• Students must be a high school graduate with an average of 82 or below, OR
• Have a high school equivalency certificate (HSE)

Financial Guidelines:

• The State University of New York (SUNY) has established guidelines to determine financial eligibility, based on the federal income guidelines. Applicants are required to submit income information directly to the EOP office so financial eligibility can be confirmed.
• Accepted documentation includes:
  • Federal 1040 tax form
  • Federal form 4506-T to verify non-filling status
  • Social Security, or Social Security Income benefits statements
  • Public Assistance/Department of Social Services (DSS) budget sheet
  • Unemployment Benefits statements
  • Disability Benefits statements
  • Notarized letter or statements that support unusual circumstances/claims
  • Permanent Resident ID card for non-citizens
  • Completed EOP Financial Information Form

Space is limited; therefore, interested students must complete the application and submit required eligibility documentation by the deadline.

• The student's family is the recipient of Family assistance or Safety Net payments through the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance; or through a county Department of Social Services; or Family Day Care payments through the New York State Office of Children and Family Assistance;
• The student lives with foster parents who do not provide support for college and the student’s natural parents provide no such support;
• The student is a ward of the state or county.

The program offers a Reading & Writing Skills Workshop and a Mathematics Skills Workshop for those students in need of foundational support to prepare them for the rigors of college-level coursework. There is also the opportunity to enroll in a credit-bearing course.

• An opportunity to get to know the SUNY Erie City Campus environment and facilities ahead of the fall semester
• The ability to take college preparatory classes and strengthen math, reading and writing skills
• An opportunity to learn study skills, organizational skills, critical-thinking and note-taking strategies
• Mentorship and support from fellow EOP upperclassmen
• Participation in career assessment inventories
• Opportunities to explore degree programs
• Participation in the SUNY Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)
• Assistance with the financial aid process
• The opportunity to participate in educational enrichment, team building and leadership activities
• Upon completion of the program, student is accepted into the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)

Apply Now! Please click here for the 2026-2027 EOP Application.

Note: EOP is not a scholarship, but a college access granting program. New participants are only accepted during the Fall semesters and must be first generation, first-time/full-time incoming freshman with no prior college experience. Space is limited, therefore, interested students must apply and submit the required eligibility documentation by the deadline stated above.

Independence Bound/Youth Engagement Services supplements the resources provided to New York State’s foster care youth who are interested in pursuing academic and career goals beyond high school.

Independence Bound/YES serves foster care youth and young adults ages 16-23 years who are in foster care, aged out, under kinship guardianship, or adopted.  Independence Bound/YES serves all other identified cohorts under the Chafee Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 (former IV-E Independent Living legislation).

• College Preparation - Assist with the admissions, financial aid, ETV, and scholarship application process.
• Laptop and school supply distribution for program participants who are enrolled in an academic program (high school and college).
• Provide linkage to additional student support service departments.
• Job Readiness Training and paid internship opportunities.