For over 50 years, Stony Brook has provided New York’s high-potential but underserved students the opportunity to attend the state’s top public university through the Educational Opportunity Program/Advancement on Individual Merit (EOP/AIM) Program. Through a combination of state, campus and philanthropic financial support and a proven program of academic advising, tutoring and mentorship, the program has been tremendously successful at removing barriers that stand in the way of student success.
Jeffrey and Maureen Fox meeting with EOP/AIM students (left to right) Anthony Machuca ‘22, Sara Villaman ’22 and Erica Ayisi-Boahene ‘23.
Still, even at one of the nation’s most affordable public universities and after aid provided by the state, students often face one final obstacle: a $2,796 gap. The financial stress of that gap is a heavy burden with far-reaching consequences. Financial constraints mean students struggle to afford even basic course materials and must forgo valuable experiences that would help them compete for internships, graduate school and jobs.
For Stony Brook Class of ’73 alumni Jeffrey Fox and Maureen Fox, the gap and related obstacles are a major concern — and one that is all too familiar. As an undergraduate student, Maureen Fox faced a similar struggle: She relied on a combination of scholarships, grants and loans, yet she still couldn’t afford to purchase her books.
The Jeffrey R. and Maureen L. Fox Fund for Education Opportunity helps students fill that financial gap. The Fund also provides critical assistance with books, supplies and other expenses such as study abroad opportunities, graduate school applications and testing preparation costs, professional and experiential learning opportunities and food and housing insecurities.
We wanted to do something that would benefit society in a very significant way,” Jeffrey Fox says. “We can’t think of a better place for that than at Stony Brook. And someday, maybe some of the students in the program will do what we’re doing and give back to Stony Brook.
Read the full story: https://news.stonybrook.edu/alumni/helping-close-the-opportunity-gap/