HEOP Admissions and Financial Aid

For a select group of scholars, the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) offers an additional pathway to admission to Barnard. Students admitted to the HEOP Program exhibit spirit, drive, curiosity and motivation characteristic of Barnard students. Our scholars also achieve academically, despite financial and academic disadvantage.  To be considered, students must meet eligibility requirements. Once enrolled, scholars are supported in their drive toward success with further resources and assistance once on campus.

The HEOP Scholars Program was established at Barnard in 1970 and is funded in partnership with New York State. Students must be residents of New York State in order to apply for the program. Our scholars are part of a small community with extra mentorship and support to persist through the challenging and exciting transition to college, four years of growth at Barnard, and post-graduation years.

Application Requirements

1. Submit the Common Application online at www.commonapp.org.
2. On the Common Application, please indicate your interest in HEOP.
3. Submit the $75 application fee or fee waiver request online at www.commonapp.org.
4. Submit official or self-reported results from either the College Board SAT Reasoning Test OR the ACT Assessment Test.

Academic Guidelines

• A 24 or below on the ACT English or a 33 or below on the SAT Reading section. The SAT Reading section is out of 40, and is not the same as the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score, which is out of 800. In accordance with Barnard's temporary test-optional policy, students applying for Fall 2022 or Fall 2023 admission do not need to submit standardized test scores to be eligible for HEOP. For more information, please see our Standardized Testing Policy webpage.
• Your high school grade point average must be 85 or above.
• You must be a graduate of an approved high school or have obtained a high school equivalency diploma or its equivalent.

Financial Guidelines

Financial Aid determines whether HEOP applicants meet the New York State income guidelines for participation in the program. All HEOP applicants must submit the financial aid application materials by the required deadlines to be considered for the HEOP Scholars Program. All information submitted by the student and her family in support of her application for financial aid is treated with utmost confidentiality. Entering HEOP students are notified of financial aid decisions when they are notified of admission.

You must:

• Present a low-income profile, determined by NY State Education Department guidelines.
• Be a New York state resident.
• All Barnard Aid is based on financial need. Barnard College is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated need through a variety of sources including Federal (Pell), TAP, Barnard grants, HEOP grant, student loans, and the work-study program.

The Academic Summer Program

Benefits include:

• Participating in a three-week academic summer program required prior to your first year, held in August.
• Taking classes in literature and writing, science, mathematics, and social science.
• Having your room and board fully covered for the residential summer program.
• Participating in the Access Barnard Peer Mentoring Program (a support network of Barnard upper-class women) as a first-year mentee.