EOP Scholarships & Financial Support

The Kyla J. Relaford Memorial scholarship was established in the spring of 2018 in memory of late EOP director Kyla J. Relaford.  

About the Scholarship

In 2015, after many years of mentoring several EOP students and becoming aware of the profound impact of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Gordon Muir, associate librarian in Feinberg Library, established the EOP Endowed Scholarship through his own personal charitable gifts. His goal was to provide financial support to EOP students, who needed assistance in funding their education and to ensure that the scholarship would be available to EOP students forever.

In 2018, after the sudden and untimely death of EOP Director Kyla J. Relaford, Gordon requested that the EOP scholarship be formally re-named in Kyla’s name to honor her legacy permanently. It is rare that we meet people who bear all of the characteristics of an ideal employee, mother, sister, friend, daughter and wife. If you knew Kyla, then you would agree that she excelled and was accomplished in all of her roles.   

Kyla was genuine, wholesome and her delicate spirit warmed the souls of anyone in her presence and was humbled by the opportunity to serve as the Educational Opportunity Program director at SUNY Plattsburgh. In this position, Kyla was able to use her natural born talent to empower, encourage, inspire and promote social mobility among New York’s most vulnerable student population. As a direct result of Kyla’s investment and belief in student potential, she played a pivotal role in growing the number of New York state residents with college degrees. She also embraced the entire campus community and served in several capacities outside of her primary role.  

We now have a responsibility to carry Kyla’s legacy forward in all that we do. Her legacy can be summarized by the following quote: “Each day holds a surprise. However, only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let’s not be afraid to receive each day's surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity’” ∼Henri Nouwen

The Lynne White Scheider Memorial Scholarship was generously endowed by EOP alumna Pamela Hewitt ‘74 to support undergraduate students actively enrolled in the Educational Opportunity Program at SUNY Plattsburgh.

Applicants must:

• Be in their second, third or fourth year of full-time enrollment
• Demonstrate academic merit and have documented financial need

The scholarship recipient will be formally recognized at the EOP Academic Award Ceremony, the appropriate campus academic convocation and by the donor and selection committee at a closed reception.

Award amounts vary (max: $1,000–$1,200).

Scholarship support for students enrolled in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) named after SUNY Plattsburgh EOP alum Jerry Jean-Baptiste. 

Malcolm R. Lavery Scholarship Endowment was established in 1997 and supports scholarships awarded to minoritized students in the Educational Opportunity Program.

There is no application for this scholarship. The recipient is selected by the EOP professional staff based on need. 

The Spirit of the Gift Scholarship was established in 2017 by EOP senior Kaylee Alvarado. Ms. Alvarado hoped to have a lasting positive impact on EOP students, and to create opportunities for outstanding EOP students to be recognized.

Ms. Alvarado’s spirit of giving is an important reminder that reaching back to help others is the mark of success and leadership. May the light that shines through the spirit of Kaylee Alvarado’s gift shine through YOU!

Minimum Scholarship Requirements:

• Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher
• Continuing student eligible for EOP and financial aid
• Demonstrate the highest levels of personal motivation and leadership potential as evidenced by letters of recommendation and responses to the questions provided.
• Willingness to participate in a brief interview with the selection committee

SUNY Plattsburgh’s Graduate Opportunity Program (GOP) offers tuition assistance of $1,000 to full NYS graduate tuition per semester for students who graduated from an EOP/HEOP/SEEK program.

Learn more and apply for the Graduate Opportunity Program

Students must have:

• Achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater;
• Completed three or more semesters at Plattsburgh (transfers need to have completed two or more semesters).

Students are selected based on:

• Demonstrated service to EOP;
• Demonstrated service to the college community; or
• Service to the student’s home community.

Awards vary ($200–$500 for the academic year).

EOP students with semester grade point averages (GPAs) of 3.0 or higher are honored every fall and spring during the annual EOP Academic Award Ceremony. Award recipients receive a certificate of achievement and are formally acknowledged by the campus administration during the ceremony.