<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-08-10</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001144354</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HEARTLAND PAYMENT SYSTEMS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HPY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001292336</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GREENHILL CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>300 PARK AVENUE, 23RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001292339</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GCP MANAGING PARTNER, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>300 PARK AVENUE, 23RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001292345</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GCP, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>300 PARK AVENUE, 23RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001282977</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GREENHILL &amp; CO INC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>300 PARK AVENUE, 23RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001292335</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GCP 2000, LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>300 PARK AVENUE, 23RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001120194</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GREENHILL CAPITAL PARTNERS LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>300 PARK AVENUE, 23RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001288437</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GREENHILL ROBERT F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>300 PARK AVENUE, 23RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001288439</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BOK SCOTT L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>300 PARK AVENUE, 23RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001241677</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>NIEHAUS ROBERT H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>300 PARK AVENUE, 23RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock; par value $0.001 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-08-10</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2000000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>18</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6632084</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Through limited partnerships</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Sale by reporting person pursuant to the initial public offering (the &quot;IPO&quot;) of the Issuer.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Assumes the conversion of all of the Issuer's Series A Senior Convertible Participating Preferred Stock into common stock
(&quot;Common Stock&quot;) upon the completion of the Issuer's IPO.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">This Form 4 is being filed by more than one reporting person. Greenhill Capital Partners, LLC, whose sole member is
Greenhill &amp; Co., Inc., is the general partner of GCP Managing Partner, L.P. GCP Managing Partner, L.P. and GCP, L.P. are
general partners of Greenhill Capital Partners, L.P., which, upon completion of the Issuer's IPO, will be the record owner
of 4,060,836 shares of Issuer's Common Stock, Greenhill Capital Partners (Executives), L.P., will be the record owner of
655,540 shares of Common Stock, Greenhill Capital, L.P., will be the record owner of 1,238,572 shares of Common Stock, and
Greenhill Capital Partners (Cayman), L.P., will be the record owner of 677,136 shares of Common Stock. GCP 2000, LLC is the
general partner of GCP, L.P. GCP 2000, LLC is in turn controlled by its Senior Members, Scott L. Bok, Robert F. Greenhill
and Robert H. Niehaus. Messrs. Bok and Niehaus are also members of the Board of Directors of the Issuer.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Each reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities except and to the extent of its or his
pecuniary interest therein. Further, pursuant to an option agreement, dated July 31, 2003, Greenhill Capital Partners, L.P.
and affiliated investment funds granted Robert O. Carr, Chief Executive Officer of the Issuer, the option to purchase an
aggregate of 1,093,750 shares of Common Stock at a price of $7.143 per optioned share. Greenhill Capital Partners, L.P.
granted 669,648 optioned shares of Common Stock, Greenhill Capital Partners (Executives), L.P. granted 108,136 optioned
shares of Common Stock, Greenhill Capital, L.P. granted 204,181 optioned shares of Common Stock and Greenhill Capital
Partners (Cayman), L.P. granted 111,785 optioned shares of Common Stock. The option agreement expires on July 31, 2006.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Thus the 6,632,084 shares of Common Stock that will be beneficially owned by the above named persons (to the extent of their
pecuniary interest therein) include 1,093,750 shares of Common Stock which are subject to the option granted to Robert O.
Carr.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Greenhill Capital Partners, LLC, By: /s/ Scott L. Bok, Scott L. Bok, Managing Director</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-08-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>GCP 2000, LLC, By: /s/ Scott L. Bok, Scott L. Bok, Managing Director</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-08-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>GCP Managing Partner, L.P., By: Greenhill Capital Partners, LLC, its general partner, By: /s/ Scott L. Bok, Scott L. Bok, Managing Director</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-08-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>GCP, L.P., By: GCP 2000, LLC, its general partner, By: /s/ Scott L. Bok, Scott L. Bok, Managing Director</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-08-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>GREENHILL CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P., By: GCP, L.P., its general partner and GCP 2000, LLC, its general partner, By: /s/ Scott L. Bok, Scott L. Bok, Managing Director</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-08-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>GREENHILL CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P., By: GCP Managing Partner L.P., its managing general partner and Greenhill Capital Partners, LLC, its general partner, By: /s/ Scott L. Bok, Scott L. Bok, Managing Director</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-08-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>GREENHILL &amp; CO., INC., By: /s/ Scott L. Bok, Scott L. Bok, U.S. President</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-08-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Robert F. Greenhill, Robert F. Greenhill</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-08-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Scott L. Bok, Scott L. Bok</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-08-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Robert H. Niehaus, Robert H. Niehaus</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-08-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
