ICYMI: New Jersey Awards Innovation Dual Enrollment Grants to Expand Access for Economically Disadvantaged Students

TRENTON — The New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) and the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) today announced the third round of Innovation Dual Enrollment Program grants, awarding $250,000 from the Fiscal Year 2026 State Budget across four school districts to expand access to college-level coursework for high school students, particularly from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Dual enrollment is a proven strategy to increase college access, affordability, and completion. This cycle of grants will support partnerships between accredited New Jersey institutions of higher education and school districts serving Camden, Keyport, Manville, and Paterson, where at least 40% of students in grades 9 through 12 are eligible for free or reduced lunch.

“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.”

The grants for fiscal year 2026 build on two previous cycles, which awarded a total of $1 million to support partnerships in seven school districts, including Burlington City Public School District, Hillside Public School District, Keyport Public School District, Middlesex County Vocational and Technical School District, Orange Board of Education School District, Passaic City Public School District, and Vineland Public School District. In the first year, participating students completed more than 1,136 dual enrollment courses and collectively earned 3,554 college credits, saving their families over $290,000 in tuition and fees. Grants from the second year are still being implemented to support over 980 dually enrolled students.

“We’re proud to see the measurable impact of New Jersey’s growing focus on higher education on-ramps through dual enrollment,” said Secretary of Higher Education Brian Bridges. “These grants are helping more students gain access to college courses that reduce their time to degree but also build confidence and the academic skills critical to postsecondary and later career success.”

Following the release of the Dual Enrollment Study Commission Report and a statewide focus on closing opportunity gaps, participation in dual enrollment continues to grow. According to the federal Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, more than 44,000 high school students earned college credit from New Jersey colleges and universities in the 2023-24 academic year, marking a nearly 11% increase over the previous year. Participation among economically disadvantaged 11th and 12th-grade students also rose by 3%, according to the New Jersey School Performance Reports.

“New Jersey is building momentum through the State’s investment in dual enrollment,” said Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer. “Through coordinated support and technical assistance, we're helping local educational agencies design programs and develop partnerships to meet the unique needs of all students. Altogether, this better positions New Jersey students to thrive from high school into college and to succeed in the workforce.”

The grant awards for Fiscal Year 2026 are as follows:

“All 18 of our community colleges know the vital role dual enrollment plays in increasing the likelihood of high school graduation and improving college and credential access, affordability, and completion, especially for students traditionally underrepresented in higher education,” said Dr. Aaron Fichtner, president of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges. “We are pleased that this pilot will help more New Jersey high school students access dual enrollment at four of our community colleges, and we look forward to turning the initiative's success into the basis for a statewide program.”

“New Jersey’s state colleges and universities value the importance of working with our K-12 and county college partners to expand access to affordable, efficient, and meaningful pathways to higher education,” said Jennifer Keyes-Maloney, executive director of the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities. “Dual enrollment is a proven strategy for achieving that goal. William Paterson University’s partnerships with the Paterson and Manville school districts provide students an early, impactful step toward their college and career aspirations.”

Learn more about dual enrollment in New Jersey here.

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