State University of New York Chairman H. Carl McCall and Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher have announced nearly $2.4 million in Investment and Performance Fund awards for 16 SUNY campuses, but none is coming to Potsdam or Canton.

The money is to establish an Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) or expand existing programs and provide access to nearly 800 new students.

These awards mark the completion of allocating New York State’s $4.4 million investment in the 2015-16 Enacted Budget, according to a press release from SUNY in Albany.

“The Educational Opportunity Program at SUNY is one of our most successful and sought after programs, with more than 30,000 students applying for 2,500 available seats every year,” said Chancellor Zimpher. “Bringing programs like EOP to more students – that’s what our completion agenda sets out to do, and it is precisely what the Investment and Performance Fund can accomplish. We are thrilled to be sharing these awards with our campuses today in recognition of their excellent work, and we hope to continue expanding this impactful program to better meet the tremendous need throughout New York State.”

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, “The Assembly Majority has been a longstanding advocate of the need for accessible and affordable higher education. The opportunity programs at SUNY campuses around the state have been tremendously successful at helping students and families achieve a college education and we fought to guarantee this funding as a cornerstone of our Higher Education Road to Success Initiative. We will continue our efforts to strengthen this important investment so that the promise of higher education can be within reach of every student.”

Senate Majority Leader John J. Flanagan said, "Our SUNY campuses are filled with exceptional students from diverse backgrounds who deserve the great opportunities a college education can provide. The Senate is proud to help support the expansion of EOP programs that will give even more New Yorkers the support they need to reach their full potential and create brighter futures.”

Currently active on 43 SUNY campuses across New York State, SUNY’s EOP program provides access, academic support, and financial aid to more than 10,000 academically and economically disadvantaged students, helping them prepare for and succeed in college.