In the Higher Education Opportunity Program, which operated in 72 independent colleges and universities in New York State in 1976-77, enrollment figures showed that 6,227 students enrolled in full and part time courses during the year, with 4,948 attending four year schools and 846 at two year schools. Of the 6,227 enrollees 2,144 were freshmen. About 95% of these came from families having incomes equal to or smaller than the maximum allowed, and 84% of them entered college with a high school average below 80%, and an equivalency diploma or no diploma at all. These freshmen were both financially and academically more disadvantaged than the freshman of 1975-76. The most important trend was a continued increase in the proportion of students with Spanish surnames and a decrease in black students. The institutions provided the students with a full range of remedial, developmental, and supportive courses, tutoring and counseling. (Author/AM)