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New Jersey Awards $250K in Innovation Grants to Expand Dual Enrollment for Underserved Students
Four school districts, including Paterson and Camden, receive state funding to boost college-credit opportunities for low-income high school students through new higher education partnerships
TRENTON, NJ — The New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) and the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) have awarded $250,000 in Innovation Dual Enrollment Program grants to four school districts across the state. The funding, announced on November 12, is aimed at expanding access to college-level coursework for high school students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The grants, supported by the Fiscal Year 2026 State Budget, are the third round of funding under the Innovation Dual Enrollment Program. This initiative seeks to increase educational equity by enabling more students to earn college credits while still in high school. Dual enrollment is recognized as a key strategy to enhance college readiness, reduce higher education costs, and improve overall academic outcomes.
The selected districts—Paterson, Keyport, Manville, and Camden—were chosen based on demographic criteria, specifically serving high school populations where at least 40% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Each district will partner with accredited New Jersey colleges or universities to implement or expand dual enrollment opportunities.
“Dual enrollment is a powerful tool for closing equity gaps and preparing students for success beyond high school,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “By expanding access to college courses while students are still in high school, we’re helping families save money and giving students exposure and a head start on their college journey.”
Grant Awards by District
| School District | Award | Region | Institutional Partner(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paterson Arts & Science Charter | $50,000 | North Jersey | Bergen Community College, Passaic County Community College, William Paterson University |
| Keyport Public Schools | $50,000 | Central Jersey | Brookdale Community College |
| Manville Public Schools | $75,000 | Central Jersey | William Paterson University |
| Mastery Schools of Camden | $75,000 | South Jersey | Camden County College |
The awards are part of New Jersey’s ongoing efforts to close opportunity gaps identified in the recent Dual Enrollment Study Commission Report, which highlighted persistent disparities in post-secondary access among low-income students.
According to federal and state data:
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Over 44,000 New Jersey high school students earned college credit in the 2023–2024 academic year.
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This figure represents an 11% increase over the prior year.
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Among economically disadvantaged 11th and 12th graders, participation increased by 3%, based on the New Jersey School Performance Reports.
Benefits of Dual Enrollment
Students who participate in dual enrollment are statistically more likely to:
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Earn higher grades during high school,
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Graduate on time,
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Enroll in college, and
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Complete a post-secondary degree.
Dual enrollment allows students to earn both high school and college credits simultaneously. The state offers various resources and a dedicated support framework to help local education agencies and institutions navigate implementation. These include toolkits, best practices, and technical assistance intended to address common barriers to program adoption.
As the demand for dual enrollment continues to grow, state officials emphasized that the grants are designed to spur further collaboration between school districts and higher education institutions, particularly in communities that have historically lacked access to such academic pathways.
