Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)
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Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)

The Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) is a partnership between the College of Mount Saint Vincent and the New York State Education Department (NYSED). This program is designed for students who have the potential and drive to further their education, but due to limited academic and financial resources, would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend college. The goal of HEOP is to retain and graduate promising students who will succeed at the college level and beyond.

Program Components

Pre-First Year Summer Program
All College of Mount Saint Vincent HEOP students are required to attend a four-week summer program prior to the beginning of their freshman year. The summer program is designed to inform students about college life, initiate a program of academic skill building, and acquaint students with HEOP, its services, staff, and fellow classmates. Students will commute to campus while participating in this program.

Academic Support Services
If you need additional academic assistance to prepare for college work, HEOP can meet your needs. Before you begin your classes, the HEOP professional staff will evaluate your academic strengths and weaknesses, and design a specific academic program to help you succeed. The academic coursework in the HEOP program provides instruction in basic skills, reading, writing, vocabulary, mathematics, and other areas of study. During the summer and academic year, HEOP support services include:

  • Academic and Personal Counseling Services
    • Academic Advising: HEOP counselors will assist you in selecting your academic major and courses. You will have a reduced course load during your first semester
    • Tutoring: HEOP provides you with free tutorial services to assist with your academic courses. Tutorial services are conducted on a one-to-one basis or in groups, depending on your needs. Tutors can be either experienced HEOP students and/or professional tutors
    • Personal Counseling: Adjustment to college life often presents many new challenges for HEOP students. Counseling helps you develop your self-confidence, identity, and a positive attitude about learning. Personal counseling is also provided by the HEOP staff on an individual or group basis to assist with any problems that may interfere with your academic work
    • Career Counseling: Students are often undecided about what to do after graduation. The HEOP staff will assist you in making career choices. Career counseling will help you select the necessary courses to prepare for employment or postgraduate study
  • Financial Support Services
    • Comprehensive financial aid package covering full upfront charges of tuition, fees, and textbooks
    • Free monthly MTA MetroCard

Eligibility Requirements

  1. Be a resident of New York State for one year preceding your term of entry into HEOP
  2. Apply for admission to the incoming fall first-year class
  3. Meet academic eligibility requirements set forth by the College
  4. Meet economic eligibility requirements set forth by New York State Education Department

Application Process

First-Year Students

  1. Complete the First-Year Student Application for Admission with essay
  2. Mark interest in HEOP on the admission application where appropriate
  3. Submit an official high school transcript or a copy of GED scores
  4. Submit official SAT or ACT test scores

    • SAT Scores

      1. Visit collegeboard.org and click on “My SAT” to log into your dashboard
      2. Click on the score report you want to send, and under your score, click on the “View Details” button
      3. In the top right corner, click the “Download Report” button and a PDF should download to your computer
      4. If you have multiple reports you wish to send since we do “super-score,” repeat steps 1 through 3
      5. Email PDF score reports to admissions.office@mountsaintvincent.edu
    • ACT Scores
      1. Visit act.org and click on the “Sign In” button
      2. Click on “View Scores” and select the test date of the report you wish to send
      3. In the top right corner of the page, click “Download Student Score Report PDF” to download your report to your computer
      4. If you have multiple reports you wish to send since we do “super-score,” repeat steps 1 through 3
      5. Email PDF score reports to admissions.office@mountsaintvincent.edu
  5. Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Application as early as October 1 and before March 1. Please use the College of Mount Saint Vincent’s FAFSA code 002703 or TAP code 0130

Please note: If the academic eligibility requirements are met, the application process continues with the steps below.

  1. Submit the following financial documentation to determine economic eligibility: 
    1. A signed copy of prior year NYS Tax Return
      1. If your family did not file taxes in 2018, please provide proof of non-filer status and alternative proof of income
      2. Proof of non-filer status includes a 4506-T Request Form and Letter from the IRS (#7 on 4506-T Request Form) Verifying Non-Tax Filer Status
    2. A signed copy of 1040 used to complete the FAFSA
      1. See above if you are a non-tax filer
    3. Copy of prior year IRS Tax Transcript
      1. This may be requested online at ​irs.gov/get-transcript​ or by calling 1-800-908-9946​
      2. It may take 10 to 14 business days for the transcript to be sent to you via mail if you filed taxes electronically. If you filed a paper tax return, it may take four to six weeks. Be sure to allow yourself sufficient time to collect this documentation to meet enrollment deadlines.
    4. Proof of Public Assistance if provided to you (i.e. food stamps, rent subsidies, social security benefits)

Please note: If the economic eligibility requirements are met, then the application process continues with the final step of completing an on-campus interview with the HEOP Office.

Transfer Students

  1. Complete the College of Mount Saint Vincent Transfer Application for Admission with essay
  2. Mark interest in HEOP on the admission application where appropriate
  3. Submit an official high school transcript or a copy of GED scores
  4. Submit your college transcript from a current NYS college/university
  5. Complete and submit the HEOP Transfer Form
  6. Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) application as early as October 1 and before March 1. Please use the College of Mount Saint Vincent’s FAFSA code 002703 or TAP code 0130

HEOP Eligibility Checklist

Contact
(718) 405-3445
heop@mountsaintvincent.edu
Founders Hall 313