Collegiate Development Programs

Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)

 

Arthur Eve

Arthur O. Eve

member of the New York State Assembly (1967–2003) and Deputy Speaker of the Assembly (1979–2003) representing districts in Buffalo, New York

HEOP Works logo

HEOP facts sheet for 2012PDF Image Icon(17KB)

2011-2012 Roster of HEOP Projects PDF Image Icon(60 KB)

Purpose

  • To help provide a broad range of services to New York State residents who, because of academic and economic circumstances, would otherwise be unable to attend a postsecondary educational institution.

Student Eligibility

  • HEOP serves New York State residents who are both academically and economically disadvantaged. Disadvantaged students are individuals from low-income families with potential for successful collegiate experiences but who have not acquired the verbal, mathematical, and other cognitive skills required to complete their college work.

 Institutional Eligibility

  • Competitive grants are awarded to Independent institutions of higher education incorporated by the New York State legislature or chartered by the Board of Regents and offering two- or four-year degree programs registered with and approved by the Board of Regents.
  • Programs must serve matriculated students who are working toward a degree.
  • Students shall be selected without regard to age, color, religion, creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, race, gender, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or sexual orientation.
  • Funding decisions will take the following into consideration:
    1. comprehensiveness of the educational program;
    2. evidence of institutional commitment to disadvantaged students;
    3. institutional success in conducting programs for disadvantaged students; and
    4. potential of the program to increase the number of disadvantaged persons pursuing careers in which they are currently underrepresented, including teaching.

 Program Services

  • HEOP provides funds to assist in the recruitment, screening, and testing of prospective students.
  • Higher Education Opportunity Programs also provide structured support services including a prefreshman summer program, counseling, tutoring, and remedial/developmental coursework.
  • In addition to academic support, program participants receive financial assistance toward their college expenses.

HEOP Addresses Students Total Needs

  • Introduces students to college expectations via a Prefreshman Summer Program
  • Offers academic, career, financial, and career counseling
  • Provides one-on-one and small-group tutoring
  • Offers remedial, developmental, and supportive courses

HEOP Impact and Accomplishments

2011-12 HEOP Project Data
Number of projects 56

College Students served*

(*There are not enough spaces in our opportunity programs to meet the demands of our population who are both academically and economically disadvantaged)

>4,600
Econmically Disadvantaged
  • Households with incomes below $31,830

89% of HEOP new freshmen

(1,192)
Academically Disadvantaged
  • High School Average below 80
33%
  • SAT Verbal score below 500
69%
  • SAT Math score below 500
64%
Current HEOP Student Population
African American 32%
Hispanic/Latino 35%
Caucasian 10%
Asian 13%
American Indian / Alaskan Native 1%
Outcomes  
College Graduation rate for HEOP students 59%
HEOP Graduates continuing to Graduate or Professional School or employed upon graduation 75%
Total HEOP Graduates 1969 – 2010 >36,000

HEOP Students

HEOP Results

  • HEOP students graduate at a rate 6.5% greater than the national graduation rate for all students
  • HEOP benefits all of New York State – not just those who participate – because as greater numbers of academically and economically disadvantaged students are educated, the potential workforce for the future grows and stabilizes
  • HEOP shows that education can move people and families out of poverty

HEOP Graduates

Postsecondary institutions that would like further information about sponsoring a Higher Education Opportunity Program on their campus should contact:

Collegiate Development Programs Unit
New York State Education Department
Room 960A, Education Building Addition
Albany, NY 12234
(518) 474-5313
E-mail: cdpu@mail.nysed.gov

Last Updated: February 7, 2012