Sweeney: My plan would make a degree from a 4-year public college affordable | Opinion
Updated 1:05 PM;
Today 11:01 AM
State Senator Steve Sweeney says New Jersey should guarantee the last two years of college at any public institution of higher learning will be tuition-free. The program would be available for households with an adjusted gross income of $65,000 or less. (Dreamstime/TNS) TNS
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By Steve Sweeney
To continue to make a college education affordable for all New Jersey families, we need a plan that builds on the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) program and that serves to incentivize students, regardless of socio-economic status, to stay on course with their studies all four years.
Skepticism of Murphy plan for another two years of free college
State lawmakers appear cool to Gov. Phil Murphy’s plan for a new state program providing some students two tuition-free years at public four-year colleges in New Jersey, building on an existing program that covers two years at community colleges.
For eligible students from families with adjusted gross incomes of $65,000 or less, the combination offers the prospect of earning two college degrees without paying tuition or fees.
“As the kind of chorus nationally grows for free college and investments in free college, New Jersey can actually be a trendsetter and serve as a model for the rest of the nation,” said state Higher Education Secretary Brian Bridges.
Law permanently establishes Community College Opportunity Grant program
Law permanently establishes Community College Opportunity Grant program
Gov. Phil Murphy has signed a bill (A-4410) into law which permanently establishes the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) program, which will allow qualified students to attend any New Jersey community college without tuition or educational fees.
“For far too long, higher education has been out of reach for countless New Jerseyans due to its high cost,” Murphy was quoted as saying in a press release. “This (law) underscores our continued commitment to college affordability, ensuring that our young people and working adults have the opportunity to earn post-secondary degrees and advance their promising careers.”
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Assemblyman Nicholas Chiaravalloti speaks at the bill signing at HCCC.
On Friday, Feb. 26, Gov. Phil Murphy, members of the New Jersey legislature, students, and representatives at Hudson County Community College met in Jersey City for the signing of legislation that will permanently codify the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) Program into law.
“For far too long, higher education has been out of reach for countless New Jerseyans due to its high cost,” Murphy said. “Today’s bill signing underscores our continued commitment to college affordability, ensuring that our young people and working adults have the opportunity to earn post-secondary degrees and advance their promising careers.”
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