Governor Visits NJCU for Roundtable on Making Higher Education Affordable

April 20, 2018
Governor Murphy at NJCU for Roundtable on Making College Affordable

NJCU Hosts Governor鈥檚 Roundtable on Making College Affordable

Governor Murphy鈥檚 Goal Is to Increase Higher Education Assistance
NJCU Students Give Personal Accounts on How EOF/OSP Are Making Their Career Goals a Reality

快猫破解版 (NJCU) hosted a roundtable discussion on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at which Governor Phil Murphy strongly voiced his commitment to making higher education more affordable for New Jersey students. He noted that NJCU, 鈥溾his particular university is giving people a shot at a higher education.鈥

鈥淥ur goal is to keep a college degree within reach for working families and those who come from economically disadvantaged areas,鈥 said Governor Murphy. 鈥淭hese investments will ensure that students can continue to realize their dreams because no one should be deprived from getting an education based on where they鈥檙e from, or their background, or current economic status, or their abilities. This is a matter of fairness that will lead to a stronger future for our students and for New Jersey.鈥

The Governor鈥檚 proposed 2019 budget contains $8.5 million for the expansion of Tuition Aid Grants (TAG) and the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF), which is known as the Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) at NJCU.

Governor Murphy was joined at the roundtable discussion by:

  • Acting Secretary of Higher Education Zakiya Smith Ellis
  • Senator Sandra B. Cunningham, Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee
  • Assemblywoman Angela V. McKnight
  • NJCU President Sue Henderson
  • NJCU student representatives, all of whom are enrolled in the Opportunity Scholarship Program.

Student participants were:

  • Mirna Botros of Jersey City, an NJCU sophomore majoring in global business who is first-generation and the first in her family to pursue higher education
  • DaRon Brown of Neptune, an NJCU alumnus currently enrolled in NJCU鈥檚 MBA program with a career goal of becoming a CPA
  • Christian Dowdell of Bellville, an NJCU sophomore majoring in Psychology who, inspired by OSP mentorship and leadership programs, looks forward to a career in public service
  • Spencer Julu of Newark, an NJCU graduate student enrolled in NJCU鈥檚 Master鈥檚 in Criminal Justice program who has a career goal of becoming a medical examiner
  • Kristie Perez of Jersey City, an NJCU junior majoring in Criminal Justice who benefited greatly by abroad travel experience and participation in campus life
  • Ryan Roche of Jersey City, an NJCU alumnus enrolled in NJCU鈥檚 Master鈥檚 in Counseling with School Counseling Certification program
  • Alberi Rosario-Capellan of Jersey City, an NJCU senior majoring in Finance who credits OSP鈥檚 early tutorial assistance with his collegiate success

NJCU President Henderson opened the program with welcome greetings and thanked Governor Murphy for 鈥渉olding the roundtable discussion in Jersey City, now the most diverse city in New Jersey.鈥 She encouraged increased assistance for EOF/OSP and wished that all students could have mentors, counselors and streamlined support that make OSP the successful program it is.

鈥淭he Governor鈥檚 proposed increase in funding for these programs will assist students in need at our New Jersey institutions of higher learning, both two-year and four-year,鈥 said Acting Secretary of Higher Education Zakiya Smith Ellis. 鈥淭his will help to improve affordability and opportunity for those pursuing a higher education.鈥

Governor Murphy鈥檚 college affordability plan strengthens student assistance for Tuition Aid Grants (TAG) and the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) by $7 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

It is projected that Proposed Fiscal Year 2019 TAG funding of $432.9 million will aid more than 67,500 students, which will mean an increase of nearly 3,500 TAG awards over this year.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited to be part of a discussion that leads to an increase in educational opportunities for students from economically challenged backgrounds,鈥 said Senator Sandra B. Cunningham, Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee. 鈥淭uition Aid Grants and grants from New Jersey鈥檚 Education Opportunity Fund are based on financial need and also take into account the environments from which students are coming from. That鈥檚 why we have added $8.5 million in funding for these grants in the proposed budget. TAG and EOF grants don鈥檛 just open the door to higher education, they can ensure that once a student is inside, they can stay and learn.鈥

"I applaud Governor Murphy鈥檚 proposed expansion of TAG and EOF funding,鈥 said Assemblywoman Angela V. McKnight. 鈥淜nowledge is power; by investing in our youth who otherwise may not have been given an opportunity to attend an institution of higher education, we are assuring New Jersey creates an atmosphere for those brilliant minds to flourish.鈥

 

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