Group of incoming HEOP freshman and returning St. Bonaventure University students
Photo courtesy of Saryiah Smith
By DANIELLE CLARK, STAFF WRITER
St. Bonaventure University’s Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) has officially returned after a one year lapse caused by a missed filing deadline during the most recent state application cycle.
“During our previous HEOP application window, through a missed filing deadline, we were denied HEOP funding for 2024–25,” said Dr. David Hilmey, the provost and vice president for academic affairs at St. Bonaventure University. “We have corrected those errors and have put processes in place to ensure that this can never happen again.”
Hilmey said university officials worked with New York State, which funds the program, to restore support. He credited the offices of Government and Community Relations, current HEOP and Student Success Center staff, and the university’s lobbying partner, Ostroff Associates, for helping with the reinstatement.
No students enrolled in HEOP lost financial or academic support during the lapse, said Amy Smerkar, the director of opportunity programs at St. Bonaventure. The gap year only prevented the university from enrolling new HEOP students.
“We were also able to, and required to do so by the New York State HEOP grant and Department of Education, continue to provide all academic and financial support and resources for our students,” said Smerkar. “Any student matriculated as an HEOP student before the 2024–25 academic year was not affected.”
To fill the gap, the university created the Student Opportunity and Access to Resources (SOAR) program. SOAR is institutionally funded and offered support to students who would have qualified for HEOP.
Currently, 41 students are enrolled in HEOP, and a total of 65 students are in opportunity programs when including SOAR, Smerkar said.
HEOP students receive financial aid, tutoring and academic counseling. The HEOP scholarship covers about 90% of the cost to attend St. Bonaventure, including tuition, fees, room and board, and books for 10 semesters. Students are responsible for the remaining 10%, typically through loans.
Each HEOP student is assigned an academic counselor and has access to professional writing and math tutors. Students can also attend additional study sessions, workshops on financial literacy, graduate school preparation and career development.
“HEOP provides three things: academic support, financial support and support as students progress towards graduation and life after St. Bonaventure,” said Smerkar.
The program also hosts events such as an annual Honors and Awards Ceremony, a 3.0 GPA brunch at Sprague’s Maple Farms, end of semester parties and social outings. Alumni continue to stay connected with the program by offering advice, mentorship and job opportunities.
HEOP’s restored funding ensures that students with financial and academic needs still have access to higher education.
