Eligibility

• Be a New York State resident for at least one year prior to enrollment in HEOP
• Be a high school graduate, have a New York Equivalency diploma (G.E.D) or its equivalent
• Meet both academic and financial guidelines defined below
• If transferring, be previously enrolled in an approved opportunity program

• Demonstrate the necessary motivation and potential to successfully complete the program to which you have applied.
• Have an academic profile that would indicate you would be non-admissible under Paul Smith’s College’s regular admissions standards. This includes: high school GPA, SAT/ACT scores and academic history.

• Meet the financial guidelines as established by the New York State Education Department.

  For students entering Paul Smith’s after July 1, 2013:

  Number of members in household	Total Annual income in 2012
  1	$21,257
  2	$28,694
  3	$36,131
  4	$43,568
  5	$51,005
  6	$58,442
  7	$65,879

  *Add $7,437 for each family member in excess of 7

• Applicants automatically meet financial requirements if one of the following applies during the year used to determine eligibility: their household receives public assistance or they are living with foster parents who provide no support for college and no money is provided by the biological parents.
• Students and families must provide extensive documentation of income. This may include, but is not limited to: Federal Tax returns, W-2’s, Social Security form 1099, child support verification, and public assistance documents.