SUNY has announced a round of funding for 16-campuses to establish or expand an Educational Opportunity Program. WBFO's Focus on Education Reporter says SUNY Buffalo State and the University at Buffalo will both receiving funding for their programs.
"UB will have the ability to expand it's Educational Opportunity Program," said Tracy Johnson, Interim Director of UB's EOP.
SUNY will provide UB with $207,000 dollars to expand it current program.
Johnson tells WBFO News last year the University received more than 5,000 applications for the program, but could only accommodate 200-students.
"So the demand for access to education for students who are academically talented, but who have economic situations or life situation, it gives them the opportunity to come to the University at Buffalo and pursue the majors they dreamt about or dream about," said Johnson.
The EOP program is an academic and student support services.
"We had a student who it took him six years to graduate and he wanted to give up, but our counselors would not allow him to give up. He just sent us a thank you note, as well as a check, to say thank you because he secured a $65,000 a year job," explained Johnson.
Buffalo State will receive $407,000 for the college's established EOP program.
43-SUNY campuses currently provide the Educational Opportunity Programs serving more than 10,000 academically and economically disadvantaged.
Johnson noted this funding boost will help serve a diverse population in serving many more students.