Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)

The Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) at Maria College, in partnership with the New York State Education Department, is designed to enroll first-time; full-time college students who are financially and academically challenged and might not otherwise be accepted into a college degree program. This unique program is carefully designed to assist eligible and accepted HEOP participants succeed at Maria College. Typically, accepted HEOP student are individuals from families with low incomes and possess the desire and aptitude for a successful college experience, but have not yet acquired the verbal, mathematical, and other cognitive skills required.

The program offers tuition assistance, textbook stipend, academic mentoring, and related services for eligible students.

Terminology:

  • First-time HEOP Student: An individual who has never been matriculated at a postsecondary institution as a degree-seeking student in any regular semester or session prior to the HEOP Summer Program and has been accepted for enrollment by a participating HEOP institution.
  • HEOP Student: An individual who applied, met the eligibility criteria based on Education Law 6451, was accepted at the IHE, completed the HEOP summer program, and matriculated at a participating HEOP institution.
  • Matriculated Student: An individual who is enrolled at a college or university as a student and is working toward a degree. This student is usually enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester.

Mission

Opportunity Programs coordinates holistic support services to students who are members of the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), HOPE, and Renaissance Scholars Program. Opportunity Programs staff coordinate services that address academic, personal, and spiritual growth. By offering underrepresented, qualifying students access to higher education, the programs enable students to realize their full potential.

  • Am I eligible?
    1. New York State Eligibility Criteria:

    o   New York State (NYS) resident

    ·   The applicant is a NYS resident as per Education Law (Section 661-5) if any of the following apply:

    1.       The student now resides in New York State and has lived in New York State for the last year of high school; or

    2.       The student was a NYS resident when the applicant entered military service, VISTA, or the Peace Corps, and re-established New York State residency within six months after release from service; or

    3.       The student has established residency in New York State at least one year before July 1st of the program year.

    ·   Education Law (Section 661-5) requires a student to be a legal resident of the state of New York to be eligible for most State scholarships and other awards.

    o   Graduate of an approved high school or have obtained a high school equivalency diploma or its equivalent.

    o   Educationally disadvantaged is determined by:

    ·   Predicting a student’s probability of academic success; and

    ·   Non-admissibility, by the college’s regular admissions standards, to the college at the matriculated status in a degree program

    o   Financially disadvantaged (please see financial eligibility requirements below)

    1. Financial Eligibility Requirements:

    All applicants are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply for the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). For those entering college for the first time in the 2024-2025 academic year, the following criteria apply when referencing the FAFSA.

    New York State Education Department HEOP Income Eligibility 

    Household Size

    Annual Income

    1

    $ 26,973

    2

    $ 36,482

    3

    $ 45,991

    4

    $ 55,500

    5

    $ 65,009

    6

    $ 74,518

    7

    $ 84,027

    8

    $93,536

    For each family member more than eight, add:

    + $9,509

    Household: The total number of individuals living in the student’s residence who are economically dependent on the same income as the one supporting the student as reported on FAFSA.

    Reference to the household income scale need not be made if the student falls into one of the following categories, and documentation is available:

    1.       The student’s family is the recipient of family assistance program aid or safety net assistance through the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance or a county department of social services; or is the recipient of family day-care payments through the New York State Office of Children and Family Services or a county department of social services or their successor offices;

    2.       The student is living with foster parents who do not provide support for college, and no monies are provided from the natural parents; or

    3.       The student is a ward of the State or a county.

         3. Education Eligibility Requirements:

    Educationally disadvantaged is determined by:

    o   Predicting a student’s probability of academic success; and

    o   Non-admissibility, by the college’s regular admissions standards, to the college at the matriculated status in a degree program

    ·         Please see Maria College’s admissions requirements through this link: https://mariacollege.edu/admissions/admissions-requirements

    o   Educational disadvantage may be supported by various factors, including but not limited to attendance at a high-needs resource high school, pre-testing, or recommendation letters.

  • What are the HEOP Program benefits?

    Financial Assistance

    • $5,600/year tuition coverage (full-time course load), in addition to any additional grants
    • Laptop and educational supplies
    • $100 personal stipend each academic month ($1,000/year)
    • $250 book stipend each academic semester ($500/year)

    Student Support Services

    • Individualized Opportunity Program (OP) Advisement –  academic, professional, and personal guidance
    • Referrals – on and off campus
    • Required College Preparatory Summer Program (5 weeks)
    • Exclusive OP Tutoring Services

  • Summer Program

    HEOP students are mandated to participate in the entire duration of a ~5-week (length may vary) college preparation summer program. This program typically runs from early July to the beginning to middle of August, with specific dates provided upon acceptance. The Opportunity Programs team has crafted a curriculum that includes pre-college preparation classes, skill-building workshops, academic tutoring, and mentoring, all designed to prepare you for the Maria College environment.

    Summer Courses 

    • Critical Reading and Thinking
    • Topics in Biology
    • Topics in English
    • Topics in Math
    • College Success Seminar

    Summer Student Support Services 

    • Laptop and supplies 
    • Textbooks
    • OP academic mentoring
    • Tutoring services

  • OP Student Spotlights

    I am currently in my first year of college at Maria. My goal is to graduate with an RN degree and obtain my BSN degree. After graduating, I aspire to work in pediatrics, caring for kids and newborns. Additionally, I would like to gain experience by working in the emergency room.

    The opportunity program has been immensely helpful throughout my time in college, enabling me to excel in my academics. They not only provided assistance through tutors but also aided me in setting goals and creating a plan to achieve them. Everyone I have encountered at Maria has been supportive, offering guidance in various ways, including advising and assistance with coursework.

    – Zulikha Zamani.

    “I am a first-year student in general studies going for my associate degree working towards getting into the RN program. Part of going into the RN program is passing the TEAS, which is a test that lets you know how prepared you are. My goal is to become an RN so that I can help people. I chose this path because it teaches you how to communicate and be open minded with patients.”
     
    – Rasha Almedaani.
Maria Stories
Devon Garcia, Opportunity Programs Student

Devon Garcia shares about the obstacles of coming here from the Dominican Republic and her inspiration behind nursing.

Click here to watch a video about HserDay Moo, a Liberal Arts student at Maria College.

HserDay Moo, a Liberal Arts student at Maria College, painted a 5-foot landscape mural that was installed in the library. HserDay shares about his journey from Thailand and how he became interested in art.