University in New Jersey introduces tuition-free education for select students
A new grant programme at Rutgers University in New Jersey will make the college tuition-free for students whose families make less than $60,000 per year. "Bridging the Gap", billed as the first programme of its kind among New Jersey colleges, will be open exclusively to state residents graduating from high school in 2016 and will cover half or all of tuition after students apply for federal and state grants.

rutgers camden students

Rutgers-Camden's newest freshman class gets to know the campus and their classmates at the annual Raptor Welcome, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015. (Alex Young | For NJ.com)

(file photo)

CAMDEN -- A new grant program at Rutgers University's Camden campus will make the college tuition-free for New Jersey students whose families make less than $60,000 a year.

"Bridging the Gap" -- billed as the first program of its kind among New Jersey colleges -- will be open exclusively to state residents graduating from high school in 2016 and will cover half or all of tuition after students apply for federal and state grants.

"Bold moves are necessary to counter the real debt challenges that face college graduates across the nation," said Rutgers-Camden Chancellor Phoebe A Haddon. "This Rutgers-Camden initiative is an innovative response that is structured to help ensure that every New Jersey student and family seeking a world-class Rutgers education can do so right here in South Jersey."

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After applying for federal and state grants, applicants coming from a household with an income of $60,000 or less will receive a grant covering all of their tuition and the general campus fee.

Those with an income of $60,001 to $100,000 will receive a grant covering 50 percent of their remaining tuition after factoring in federal and state grants. In all, the school expects to register about 100 students for the program.

Craig Westman, associate chancellor for enrollment management, said Rutgers-Camden was already setting aside monies for grants and other programs that help needs-based students.

Incoming students can apply for the program by completing the 2016-17 Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application. Students can renew the "Bridging the Gap" grant, which is not transferable to other Rutgers campuses, annually if they complete 30 credit hours during an academic year and main in good academic standing.

The program will only be available to students attending classes at the Camden campus, where tuition and fees are just over $14,000 for 2015-16, according to Rutgers.

Westman said of the 400 incoming freshman who began classes at Rutger-Camden this fall, more than 60 percent would have been eligible for "Bridging the Gap." Further, he said more than 50 percent of Rutgers-Camden students work 20 to 40 hours each week.

"That's part of why we did this. It doesn't help them get out and into the workforce," Westman said.

"Our program offers a pathway to achieve a Rutgers degree regardless of socioeconomic status. This is the historical promise of American higher education system, and it is our commitment here at Rutgers University-Camden to make certain that we prepare New Jerseyans for success and without serious debt," Haddon said.

According to Rutgers officials, 72 percent of all undergraduate students at Rutgers-Camden took out loans for educational costs incurred during the 2013-2014 aid year.

The college accepted about 60 percent of its applicants in 2014, roughly the same percentage as Rutgers' two other campuses. However, a smaller percentage of students admitted to Rutgers-Camden decided to attend the school compared to Rutgers-New Brunswick and Rutgers-Newark.



Of the 3,955 students accepted to Rutgers-Camden in 2014, only about 10 percent (431 students) enrolled, according to statistics filed with the state Office of the Secretary of Higher Education.

Westman said "Bridging the Gap" was created to lower the amount of debt students carry around for years, and even decades, after graduating from college.

"By some estimates, the United States carries more than $1.3 trillion in student debt," said Westman.

During a hearing held at Union County College last month on college affordability, leaders of educational institutions across the state sounded off on concerns of affordability and post-college debt.

A survey of college costs conducted by NJ Advance Media found that every four-year public and private institution raised their annual tuition and fees for the 2015-16 school year. At Rutgers University's main campus in New Brunswick, students will pay $14,231 in tuition and fees, which is a $318 increase over last year.

"The economic and social costs of student loan debt can be profound, even at a state-supported institution such as Rutgers," Westman said. "It is our responsibility as leaders in higher education to create opportunities for students to launch their lives without the burden of debt loads.

Staff writer Adam Clark contributed to this report.

Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.