SUNY Oneonta’s Aspire Oneonta program provides services and support to first-year, first-generation college students from New York State who are both academically and financially disadvantaged and who have the desire and potential to earn a college degree.
Aspire Oneonta students receive financial assistance and attend a month-long Summer Academy, where they make friends, become familiar with the campus and prepare for a successful transition to college. The Office of Access and Opportunity Programs provides continuing support services, including peer mentors, tutoring, a lending library, alumni networking and more.
Aspire Oneonta Benefits
- Additional financial grant (does not need to be repaid)
- Peer Academic Coaching Effort (PACE)
- Personal, academic and financial counseling
Eligibility
To be eligible for admission through Aspire Oneonta, you must meet all the criteria below:
- Be a resident of New York State
- Be a recipient of a high school diploma or GED
- Be of the first generation in your family to obtain a college degree
- Meets the family income requirements in the chart below
Request Information
| HOUSEHOLD SIZE (INCLUDING HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD) |
INCOME |
|---|---|
| 1 | $32,040.15 |
| 2 | $43,486.10 |
| 3 | $54,932.05 |
| 4 | $66,378.00 |
| 5 | $77,823.95 |
| 6 | $89,269.90 |
| 7 | $100,715.85 |
| 8 * | $112,161.80 |
- *For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $14,629.80 for each additional person.
- Subject to change for 2025-2026.
- If you are a ward of the state, under foster care without parental support, or are primarily dependent on public assistance, the financial requirements have been met.
Apply
You can apply either Early Action or regular (rolling) admissions using the SUNY Application or Common Application.
Aspire Oneonta consideration is determined by the Office of Admissions. You will be given the opportunity to “opt-in.” When we review your application for admission, we will determine whether you are eligible for the Aspire Oneonta program and email you with an invitation to join the program. Once you have opted in, you must complete all requests for additional information as soon as possible.
Information on Applying
SUNY Oneonta is test optional. We utilize a holistic review process inclusive of academic and nonacademic achievements for admission. While we will consider scores if submitted, SAT/ACT results are not required. If you would like your test scores considered in the review process, please request your official scores to be sent to SUNY Oneonta from your high school or testing agency.
- Oneonta SAT Code: 2542
- Oneonta ACT Code: 2940
Official high school transcript or results of GED/TASC.
SAT and/or ACT scores (Optional)
One letter of recommendation from a school counselor or teacher.
If the Office of Admissions invites you to join the Aspire Oneonta program:
- Complete the Opt-in Form – accessible from your Applicant Status Page.
After you have opted in, you will need to submit the following:
- Aspire Oneonta Supplemental Financial Information Form – accessible from your Applicant Status Page.
- A short, four-question questionnaire – accessible from your Applicant Status Page.
Learning a little bit more about you and your goals for pursuing a college degree will help us determine whether you are eligible for the Aspire Oneonta program. The questionnaire will ask:
- What motivated your interest to pursue post-secondary education?
- Explain the circumstances that affected your academic performance in high school.
- Share with us something or someone you look forward to seeing daily or weekly and why.
- Based on what you know about the Aspire Oneonta Program, how do you think the program will benefit you?
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- FAFSA CODE: 002847
- TAP CODE: 0930
Please be sure to promptly respond to any inquiries from our Financial Aid Office. Visit our Applying for Financial Aid page for step-by-step instructions.
Once we receive your application, you will receive an email with a Username (your email), PIN number and link to your personal status page. Your status page will be updated as we receive application materials and/or request additional information. Please be sure to check back often.
Note: The Admissions Office uses email as our main source of communication for important updates, including application status notifications. You can update your email address at any time on the Applicant Status Page.
You will be invited to meet with an Aspire Oneonta counselor for final consideration. Following the meeting, an official decision will be communicated to you online through your Applicant Status Page.
Questions?
For questions about admissions criteria or the application process, please contact the Office of Admissions at 800-SUNY-123 or admissions@oneonta.edu.
For questions about services provided through the Aspire Oneonta program, please contact the Office of Access and Opportunity Programs at 607-436-2407 or 607-436-2496.