<p>The UC application asks if I want to apply for EOP and says something about talking about it in my personal statement. I really want to try my best to get as many scholarships and the best financial aid as possible, so should I apply for it then? What does "applying" for it mean? What are the consequences and do I have anything to lose?</p>
<p>If it helps, my parents' income last year was 38,000.</p>
<p>EOP is not specifically any money. It is a program that provides first generation lower income students tutoring and other help to ease the transition from high school to college. Apply to EOP if you think you will need help in the transition to college. There are no consequences if you do not get accepted (I think they just base acceptance on parent's income and some other info in your app). "Applying" is more of showing interest in using the resources of the program.</p>
<p>Financial aid (non merit) is based on parent's income level so I don't think there is anything YOU can really do to change the amount of aid that the UCs give you. Good Luck with your apps.</p>
<p>If I apply for it, do I have to COMMIT to it or utilize it (Or can I just have it there in the background if I ever need to make use of it?)? I'm assuming that UC's do not take this into consideration at all when considering students?</p>