Gov. Phil Murphy and Secretary of Higher Education Dr. Brian Bridges recently announced that nearly $30 million in federal funding will be distributed to New Jersey institutions of higher education. Thomas Edison State University (TESU) will receive $483,496 for student support through the Opportunity Meets Innovation Challenge grant.

The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Education through the second round of Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funding. These funds will enable TESU to implement the state’s best practices plan to address barriers to student success. Further, support the development of sustainable systemic reforms to increase college completion – particularly among students who were most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and would be at greatest risk in a future emergency.

“This funding will allow TESU to assist more students who have been impacted greatly by the pandemic, especially those from historically underrepresented communities, students from low-income households and working adults who are returned to learn new skills or to change careers,” said Dr. Merodie A. Hancock, president of Thomas Edison State University. “This grant will allow us to further support those students as they continue toward their goal of earning a college degree.”