Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)

Currently found in over sixty independent colleges and universities, the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) was established by the New York State Legislature in 1969 to assist eligible residents in obtaining higher education at private institutions.  HEOP is funded jointly by the University and the New York State Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program and programming activities are supported, in part, by a grant from the New York State Education Department.  

HEOP participants receive the following services:

• Financial aid awards will be based on each student’s demonstrated financial need, as determined on a case by case basis.
• Parents with calculated incomes below $60,000 a year and typical assets are expected to contribute $0 toward their children’s Columbia education. 
• Financial aid packages at Columbia contain no loans.
• Students can estimate their financial aid eligibility by using the Net Price Calculator.

• Academic, personal, career, and financial advisement;

• Peer mentoring;

• Academic workshops and seminars;

• Individualized and/or group tutorial services; and

• Semester book allowance.

In order to be eligible for HEOP, students must meet both academic and economic criteria set forth by the State of New York.

National Opportunity Program (NOP)

In 1986 Columbia University created the National Opportunity Program (NOP), making a commitment to providing the same kind of academic and financial support to students from all over the United States. In 2006 the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science established a National Opportunity Program.

NOP participants receive the following services:

• Academic, personal, career, and financial advisement;

• Peer mentoring;

• Academic workshops and seminars;

• Individualized and/or group tutorial services; and

• Financial aid awards will be based on each student’s demonstrated financial need, as determined on a case by case basis.

• Parents with calculated incomes below $60,000 a year and typical assets are expected to contribute $0 toward their children’s Columbia education. 

• Parents with calculated incomes between $60,000 and $100,000 and typical assets are also eligible for significant financial aid.

• Financial aid packages at Columbia contain no loans.

• Students can estimate their financial aid eligibility by using the Net Price Calculator.

 In order to be eligible for NOP, students must meet academic criteria set forth by the University.