First unveiled in his fiscal year 2013 budget, Governor Christie today unveiled the $1 million Governor’s Urban Scholarship Act, designed to provide financial assistance to students in inner cities who wish to attend college.

Governor Christie announces Urban Scholarship
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“We live in a time when educational attainment and economic success are correlated as never before. A quality education is the key to advancement and an improved livelihood, but the reality is that too many students are not given that choice, not because of a lack of ability but due to financial circumstances. Through the Governor’s Urban Scholarship Program, we will be able to provide some of our brightest students from inner cities and urban communities with access to quality higher learning opportunities at our colleges and universities. ” Governor Chris Christie said.

Grant awards of $1,000 each will be available for as many as 1,000 freshman students in the next academic year.

“And unlike similar programs in prior years, this program will be open to every high-achieving child in the identified high-need communities who demonstrates a financial need, no matter whether they attend a public or non-public school” said Christie.

“The Governor’s Urban Scholarship initiative can change lives by empowering students, and our hope is that by staying in our state, they will help rebuild and improve the communities where they live,” said Acting Secretary of Higher Education Rochelle Hendricks.

To be eligible for the Governor’s Urban Scholarship Program, students must:

Be in the top 5 percent of their class and have at least a 3.0 grade point average;

  • Reside in one of 14 high-need communities identified by DOE and DCA.
  • These 14 communities are: Asbury Park, Camden, East Orange, Irvington Township, Jersey City, Lakewood, Millville, Newark, New Brunswick, Trenton, Paterson, Plainfield, Roselle and Vineland.
  • Attend a traditional public, public charter, county vo-tech or nonpublic school; and
  • Be a resident for at least (12) consecutive months prior to graduation and upon college enrollment.

 

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