Senator Serrano met with New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) students today to discuss the State’s continued support for this program. HEOP, a partnership between New York State and independent colleges and universities, provides economically and educationally disadvantaged residents academic and supportive assistance for college.

There are 56 HEOP programs at independent colleges and universities, with more than 4,6000 HEOP students benefiting from these services. HEOP provides students who would not normally meet the admission criteria for the colleges they attend an opportunity to attend and obtain a higher education.  
 
“It is important that the State continues to provide support to HEOP,” said Senator Serrano. “The success of this program is evident by the overwhelming amount of underrepresented students graduating from institutions that they otherwise would not have been able to attend, and moving on to pursue their careers or continue their education. Not only does this program provide a once in a lifetime opportunity for these students, it also enriches the institutions they attend by making them more diverse."