EOP Income Criteria
EOP applicants should demonstrate the family is unable to provide an annual contribution of more than $1,500 toward their college expenses. These guidelines are intended to identify and give priority to the most financially needy applicants. Low income criteria is determined through the Student Aid Index (SAI) which is derived from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Application (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) and cannot exceed $1,500 to be eligible for EOP services. EOP applicants must apply for financial aid through the FAFSA or the CADAA in order to determine program eligibility by the priority deadline.
When determining eligibility for federal student aid, dependency status is considered.
Dependent/Independent Federal Definition
*Guidelines are based on the formulas used to determine the Student Aid Index (SAI) for federal student financial aid.
Below are the 2026-2027 Income Guidelines:
Dependent Students
| Family Size | Maximum Income |
|---|---|
| 2 | $48,200 |
| 3 | $55,100 |
| 4 | $65,000 |
| 5 | $74,500 |
| 6 | $84,900 |
| 7 | $93,100 |
| 8 | $102,000 |
Independent Students
| Status | Family Size | Maximum Income |
|---|---|---|
| Single, No Dependents | 1 | $20,300 |
| Married, No Dependents Other Than Spouse | 2 | $36,900 |
| With Dependents Other Than a Spouse | 2 | $62,300 |
| 3 | $72,600 | |
| 4 | $86,600 | |
| 5 | $99,800 | |
| 6 | $114,500 | |
| 7 | $126,600 | |
| 8 | $140,900 |