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Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)

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What is the Higher Education Opportunity Program?

HEOP is a program for New York State residents that provides educational opportunity and academic support to students with strong academic potential and personal initiative who would other wise be excluded from higher education due to circumstances of academic and economic disadvantage. Once admitted under the HEOP program students participate in the SummerStart Program and receive counseling tutoring and other support services throughout their college career. Syracuse University demonstrates it's commitment to this program by providing a full-need financial aid award to the participants. HEOP is supported, in part, by a grant from the New York State Education Department.
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Eligibility Requirements
Academic Criteria
To be considered for HEOP eligibility at Syracuse University students must meet the following:

  • Possess a high school diploma or the equivalent GED
  • Apply to Syracuse University and include all of the requested documentation needed to complete the application file(high school transcript SAT or ACT scores, letters of recommendation)
  • Be initially in admissible to the degree program for which they have applied.

Economic
A student or family must also meet one or more of the following:

  • Income must not exceed New York State economic guidelines for HEOP as listed on the bottom of this page or
  • Must be a recipient or dependent of an individual(s) receiving (1) aid to dependent children (2) Home relief or (3) Family day care payments through a New York State or County department of social services; or
  • Student lives with foster parents who do not provide economic support for college or
  • Student is a ward of the court.

Any changes made regarding income verification, once the documentation has been submitted, must be forwarded to the office immediately (no later than April 15th), i.e. amended tax return. Failure to do so could result in the offer of admissions being rescinded.

Students enrolled in this program must:

  • Be New York State residents (HEOP is funded in part by a grant from the New York State Higher Education Department)
  • Be first-time college students or transfer from one of these New York State programs: College Discovery, EOP, HEOP, or SEEK; and Attend the six-week SummerStart program before their first fall enrollment at Syracuse University. No separate application is necessary.

Note: HEOP students are ineligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics their freshman year.

Applying to HEOP
When you apply for admission to Syracuse University,you are automatically considered for HEOP. You do not send a special application to HEOP.

HEOP Financial Aid
Once you are admitted to the HEOP program, you will receive a financial aid package that will meet your basic educational expenses. To be eligible for the standard HEOP financial aid package, all applicants must complete and submit the following:

  • FAFSA Freshman should apply after January 1 and no later than February 15.
  • New York State TAP application (NY State residents only) will be facilitated from your FAFSA information. This will generate a TAP application that should be returned no later than April 15th
  • Federal Stafford Loan. You will receive instructions with your award letter on how to apply for this loan

In addition to the New York State TAP and federal Pell & SEOG grants, your financial aid package will include grants from Syracuse University, New York State HEOP, federal loans and federal College Work-Study award.

Freshman Applicants
For regular admission, follow the steps outlined in Syracuse University's Undergraduate Application for Admission and Financial Aid Guide to be sure you meet all the deadlines. This means you must submit all of the following items.

  • SAT I or ACT scores
  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and income verification; last year's 1040 income tax form or documentation of other benefits received (i.e., Welfare, VA or SSI);
  • Evidence of having applied to the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP); freshman must also apply for summer TAP that will be applied to SummerStart;
  • High school transcript

Transfer Applicants
You must follow the procedures and timetable for regular transfer applicants outlined in SU's Application for Admission:

  • Send verification of previous enrollment in College Discovery, EOP, HEOP, or SEEK;
  • Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and income verification;
  • Show evidence of having applied for TAP;
  • Submit a transcript showing you have completed 24 credits of college work with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale;
  • transfer students must be accepted by BOTH Syracuse University's Office of Admissions AND the Office of Supportive Services in order to be enrolled in HEOP at Syracuse University.

HEOP Economic Guidelines FOR STUDENTS ENTERING BETWEEN 7/1/2007 & 6/30/2008
Number of members in household(including head of household)
 Total annual income in preceding calendar year
1 $14,100
2 19,600
3 22,350
4 27,800
5 32,850
6 38,550
7 42,900
Plus $4,350 for each family
member in excess of 7
Add $4,800 for households with two workers or households in while one worker is the sole support of a one-parent family.

Add $1,800 for a household supported solely by one member working two or more jobs at the same time.

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