Rutgers–Newark, other minority-serving colleges could potentially lose federal funding

Rutgers University—Newark is among the 13 minority-serving colleges in New Jersey that could potentially lose federal funding by next September, according to an article from NJ Advance Media. 

A program designed to help minority students afford college expired on Sept. 30, and although the House of Representatives has passed a two-year extension, Republicans in the Senate have blocked the measure, according to the article.

More than $47 million has been disbursed to New Jersey colleges this past year due to the program, according to the article. Rutgers—Newark Chancellor Nancy Cantor said the funding is important for keeping the University diverse.

“Federal funding to support minority-serving institutions is critically important to assuring equality of educational opportunity in America," Cantor said in the article. 

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, said he blocked the proposed short-term extension in favor of his bill that creates a permanent funding solution for minority-serving colleges along with financial aid and Pell Grant reform, according to a statement. 

“Unfortunately, that bill is a shortcut the House took, which has no way to pass the Senate. It's based upon a budget gimmick. It uses a method of funding that many Senators objected to. It creates a new funding cliff within 23 months,” Alexander said.  

Alexander said there is enough funding for the schools to continue through this year, and Congress should not rush to pass a short-term solution. 

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) said the extension must be passed because a lapse in funding could prevent students from continuing school. 

"It’s critically important that funding for these institutions is restored to ensure that the educational opportunities for an increasingly diverse student body remain accessible and strong for years to come,” Booker said. 

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) said his alma mater, Saint Peter’s University, is one of the colleges affected and voiced his support for the extension in the article.

“There is no question in my mind that education is the key that unlocks social mobility and upward opportunity in our country and that’s maybe even more true today than it was before,” Menendez said. 

Aside from Rutgers—Newark and Saint Peter’s University, the other schools affected include Bergen Community College, Bloomfield College, Essex County College, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Felician University, Hudson County Community College, Middlesex County College, Montclair State University, New Jersey City University, Union County College and William Paterson University, according to the article.