A: You may apply for HEOP by indicating your desire to do so on the Utica College admissions application. (There is no separate application for HEOP.)
- If you're filling out the online application, you will see a question about HEOP under the heading "Application Data" - click "Yes".
- If you're using the mail-in PDF application, check the option box for HEOP.
- If you apply through Common Application, you must call UC's Office of Admissions at 1-800-782-8884 and request that your application be reviewed for HEOP.
A: No. HEOP is not a "minority access program;" rather, it was established in 1969 by the State Education Department (SED) to provide access and assistance to New York State students that meet both the academic and economic eligibility standards.
A: For HEOP, a student must qualify both academically and financially. Therefore, each college/university that has HEOP will have different academic guidelines. However, each of the schools follow the same financial eligibility format provided by New York State. As a result, if you qualify at one school financially you should qualify financially at every school with HEOP. But you may not qualify academically for each school.
A: Remember, HEOP students must qualify both financially and academically. Just because you and your sibling applied to the schools does not mean that you both will qualify. The academic guidelines for HEOP admission from college to college vary greatly and are all based on HEOP candidates being inadmissible under regular admission academic guidelines as well as being financially eligible.
A: After all necessary materials have been submitted, Application, SAT/ACT Scores, recommendations, Financial Documentation and an interview has been completed (only select students will be invited to complete an interview) you will receive your final decision.
A: Yes. There is a personal contribution expected of each HEOP student. The amount is determined by the Financial Aid Office when evaluating several factors, including the household's previous year's gross income, the number of students attending college, and other factors. If there is a contribution, it may typically come in the form of a federal student loan that is not expected to be paid back until a few months after the students graduate from college. Additionally, there may be a small out-of-pocket expense that would be based on household income. Nevertheless, we encourage you to contact the
Financial Aid Office with questions and/or concerns.
A: Eligible HEOP students whose financial aid forms have been properly filed and approved generally receive monies from the following sources:
- TAP Grant
- Federal PELL Grant
- HEOP Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
- Federal Direct (or other specified student) Loan
- Federal Work Study
- HEOP Book Funds
A: No. Students are required to interview with the HEOP Staff in order to be admitted into the program. Only selected candidates will be invited to attend an interview with members of HEOP as one of the requirements of the selection process. Students who fail to attend an interview will not receive an admissions decision from the Program.
A: Yes. HEOP funds students up to five years. Therefore, if students change their major, re-take courses they performed poorly in, etc. and need an extra semester or year to graduate, HEOP can provide that support. Students are eligible for ten semesters of HEOP aid; anything past five years, students will have to finance on their own.
Note: HEOP funds students for up to five years. If a student completes his/her undergraduate degree in less than five years, he/she is no longer eligible for HEOP.
A: At Utica College, financial aid awards are based on the fall and spring semesters only. Therefore, students are responsible for covering the cost of summer school even if they need to catch-up on course work in order to graduate within five years to receive HEOP funding.
A: HEOP acceptance depends upon the availability of both space and funds. You must check with the HEOP Office prior to entry to find out if transfer students are being accepted for the semester you plan to enter the College.
A: No. Unfortunately, HEOP is designed for first time college students who have not taken college courses for credit after graduating from high school. If you have already enrolled in a college/university and have earned college credits, you are not eligible to receive HEOP support services.
A: All students are required to attend the entire 5 Week Summer Institute. Summer Institute provides a unique experience to assist students in learning and preparing for college demands.
