The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) is excited to bring back the EOP Achievement Awards after a four-year hiatus! We are especially excited to celebrate the return of these awards as EOP marks its 60th anniversary at UC Berkeley!
The EOP Achievement Awards Scholarship celebrate students who have demonstrated academic achievement while making meaningful contributions to their campus and communities. These awards recognize students not only for what they have accomplished, but also for the experiences that have shaped their journeys and the ways they have used those experiences to lead, serve, support others, and give back to their communities.
Eligibility
- Be an EOP student who is both a first-generation college student and meets low-income eligibility criteria (Pell Grant or Dream Act Scholarship eligible, as verified by Financial Aid).
- Demonstrate meaningful leadership, service, advocacy, and/or contributions to their campus or community.
- Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative UC Berkeley GPA*
- Have junior or senior standing by Fall 2026. Transfer students must have completed at least one semester at UC Berkeley prior to Fall 2026. (Completion of Summer 2026 coursework at UC Berkeley will be accepted)
- Be registered UC Berkeley undergraduate student.
Award Details
- Eight (8) students will be selected to receive a $1,500 EOP Achievement Award.
- One (1) student will be selected to receive a $2,000 Burkhalter Peer Leadership Achievement Award, recognizing an applicant who embodies the legacy of prior EOP Director Gloria Burkhalter and demonstrates a deep commitment to mentorship and peer support.
- Two (2) students will be selected to receive the $3,000 Morrison & Johnson Distinguished Student Life Achievement Award, recognizing applicants who demonstrate exceptional leadership achievements and community service contributions.
- Award recipients will be invited to be recognized at EOP’s 60th Anniversary Celebration on the evening of November 5, 2026. Additional event details will be shared with selected awardees.
Application Question Preview
Applicants will respond to three questions focused on:
- Leadership, Service & Impact: Your leadership and service experiences, the roles you have held, and the impact you have made on your campus and/or community. (2,500 character limit)
- Your Journey & Achievements: Your journey to and through UC Berkeley, the experiences that have shaped you, and the accomplishments you are most proud of. (3,500 character limit)
- Looking Ahead: Your goals and aspirations after graduation and how your experiences, leadership, and journey at Berkeley have shaped where you hope to go next. (2,000 character limit)
To Apply
- Complete and submit this application, including your resume.
- Identify one recommender who will submit a recommendation on your behalf through the separate EOP Achievement Award Recommendation Form.
Deadline
All application materials, including your recommender’s submission, must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.Note: Students that are awarded an EOP Achievement Award must have room in their financial aid package (via unaccepted loans/work-study, completing a Cost of Attendance Adjustment Request (COAAR), or through canceling previously accepted loans for this academic year) to receive funds. Awardees will see Achievement Award funds incorporated into their financial aid package and disbursed through their Cal Central account. Any outstanding balance (i.e., library fines, locker fees, housing, etc.) due to the University will be debited from this award, then any remaining balance of the Achievement Award will be disbursed to you.