Eligibility and Documentation Requirements

Applicants are eligible for Buffalo EOC programs regardless of citizenship status or national origin, including undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students graduating from US high schools.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Applicants must be at least 17 years or older.

Applicants must be New York State residents.

Please note that High School Equivalency applicants do not need to meet the economic guidelines.

Individuals with an income at or below 250% of poverty are encouraged to apply. Please contact an admissions advisor to verify your income eligibility.

• All vocational programs require a high school diploma or equivalency.
• Applicants with 33 or more college credits within the last 10 years or with a college degree are not eligible for Buffalo EOC programs, except for ESL and the ATTAIN Lab. Applicants to ESL and the ATTAIN lab are not required to provide their educational status.

• SUNY has made changes to the COVID-19 requirements. Please contact an Admissions Advisor for more imformation.

Acceptable forms of documentation to support eligibility include New York State:

• Driver’s license
• Non-driver’s photo ID
• Vehicle registration
• Voter registration
• Deed
• Lease (apartment or automobile)
• Postmarked mail
  
• Tax return
• State or local agency documentation

Acceptable forms of current year documentation to support economic eligibility include:

• Federal Tax Return (IRS forms 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ) from most recent year. Pay stubs and W2 forms are not acceptable as proof of income.
• Unemployment, pension or annuity benefits letter
• Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, or Veterans Administration non-educational benefits letter
• Department of Social Services budget sheet
• Child support and/or alimony documentation

For applicants without income and who fall into one of the following categories, please provide documentation in place of proof of income:

• A copy of IRS form 4506-T which has been filed by the student or family with the Internal Revenue Service or a copy of IRS Letter 1722 indicating that the student (if independent) or parent did not file a return
• Needs analysis output form from one of the United States Department of Education’s approved needs analysis systems

The exception is for students who are missing income documentation, provided the institution has filed the IRS form 4506-T and has proof of the request on file.

• High School or High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma
• College Transcript