Educational Opportunity Program

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) functions as the home base for all EOP students once they have been admitted to the University. EOP is a state-funded program open to residents of California only. The purpose of EOP is to retain and graduate low-income, first-generation college students.

All EOP students are offered support services designed to assist them in overcoming the many obstacles that a new educational and social environment may present. These support services continue throughout their educational career at CSU, Chico.

EOP Admissions provides admissions assistance for historically low-income and first-generation college students. Students may be academically underprepared or lacking the subject requirements, grades, or test scores normally required for college attendance, but have demonstrated the potential for academic success. To apply through EOP go to the CSU Mentor website at: http://www.csumentor.edu/planning/eop/. For more information, call 530-898-4028.

Orientation programs assist EOP students with their transition to California State University, Chico. Freshmen and transfer students benefit from Summer Orientation and half-day orientations prior to the start of the semester. First year students benefit from extended programs such as Summer Bridge, EOP CourseLink, and the opportunity to live in a residence hall. All first-time freshmen will also enroll in an orientation class designed to help their transition to college life. These students will have a head start establishing the support and friendships necessary for a successful college experience.

EOP takes an active approach in assisting with students' academic progress. EOP provides activities such as academic advising, peer counseling, individual and group counseling, monitoring academic progress, and regular contact with faculty and major advisors.

Students also benefit from learning assistance workshops, tutorial assistance, social and cultural activities, career planning assistance, assistance with graduate and professional school applications, short-term loans, and financial aid advising.

Student Support Services (SSS)

SSS is committed to helping low-income, first-generation college students; and students with disabilities achieve a bachelor's degree. SSS provides services such as academic and personal counseling, financial and study skills assistance, and cultural activities. Career planning and graduate school advising are also offered to participants. Funded by the US Department of Education, the goal of SSS is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants and to encourage them to pursue an advanced degree. Students who are not eligible to apply through EOP (residents of states other than California) may be eligible to apply to SSS.

Student Learning Center (SLC)

The Student Learning Center's goal is to help students become independent and effective learners so that they may be better prepared to meet the academic standards of the University and their own educational goals. The services of the center are available free of charge to all students.

Study skills assistance is available through workshops, handouts, and appointments in: time management, note-taking and review, reading and study efficiency, concentration and memory, and preparing for and taking exams.

Tutoring is offered for writing and a variety of academic subjects. Assistance is usually provided by appointment, and can be set up as ongoing throughout the semester. Some writing tutoring is available on a drop-in basis. All tutors are faculty-recommended students who are knowledgeable and committed to helping others succeed. The focus of tutoring is to help students with specific courses while enhancing their overall abilities as a student.

Supplemental Instruction (SI) offers peer facilitated workshops for challenging courses. SI workshops help students understand the course material better while improving academic skills, in an interactive, supportive, small-group atmosphere. Reading comprehension, time management, note-taking, and test-taking skills/techniques are developed, reinforced, and integrated into the course content.