Union County Review

Kean University students eligible for state Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) awards will receive an average increase of 14% in their funding for the 2024-2025 school year due to Kean’s designation as New Jersey’s urban research university.

The increased awards will provide an average increase of $1,103 per year to the roughly 3,900 Kean students receiving TAG grants. The increase is due to state action aligning the value of Kean’s TAG grants to the amount of awards given at other public research institutions. Kean was named by lawmakers as the state’s urban research university in 2021.

“Kean University has always been committed to making higher education accessible and affordable, and this increase in TAG funding will provide a direct, positive benefit for our TAG-eligible students,” said Kean President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. “This boost in financial aid reflects our strength as a research university and our powerful role as an anchor institution serving communities across New Jersey.”

A total of 3,970 Kean students received TAG awards in 2023-2024, with the average award totaling $6,627. Under the new funding guidelines, more students are expected to be eligible for the TAG program in the coming school year.

According to an announcement from the state, the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) Board on July 24 adopted a Tuition Aid Grant table for the coming academic year. The Board set 2024-2025 grants equal to those of the prior year, but this year, Kean’s status as a New Jersey public research institution was factored into the University’s awards. The Board’s actions were approved by Governor Phil Murphy on July 25.

Kean Senior Vice President for Administration Michael Salvatore, Ph.D., said the investment by the state “puts the exclamation point on affordability” at Kean.

“Affordability is a key commitment at Kean University. We are dedicated to ensuring that a top-tier education remains accessible to all,” Salvatore said. “This investment by the State of New Jersey perfectly aligns with our mission to foster a more innovative and inclusive society through equity and excellence.”

Katherine Gallagher, Kean’s senior vice president for student success, emphasized the long-term benefits of the increased TAG awards for students.

“This increase in TAG grants is a significant victory for our students. It will make Kean even more accessible and play a crucial role in advancing our mission of promoting social mobility,” Gallagher said. “By easing the cost of enrollment, these grants will help reduce financial burdens, minimize education-related debt, and pave the way for our students to achieve lasting success.”

Barbara Harmon-Francis, Ed.D., vice president for the Kean Division of Student Success and Retention, highlighted the significance of the increased TAG awards in making higher education attainable for more students.

“Ensuring that a Kean education is affordable, particularly for students from underserved communities, is vital,” Harmon-Francis said. “At Kean, we are deeply committed to improving student outcomes, and one of the most impactful ways to achieve that is by eliminating financial barriers.”