Trenton, NJ – March 5, 2019 – It’s not every day that students get to meet face-to-face with the legislators creating laws and budgets that directly affect their lives. But when students in the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Program get the chance, they take it.

This past Tuesday, over 150 EOF students and professionals, including seven EOF students and an EOF Recruiter/Counselor from Felician University, participated in the annual EOF Day at the capital in Trenton, New Jersey. This day is meant for students and educators to speak with legislators about the EOF program and to advocate for its continued funding.

The attendees were greeted by Senator Thomas Kean, Jr., Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter, Senator Troy Singleton, and Senator Sandra B. Cunningham, among others. Students had the chance to speak with the legislators and actively advocate for their EOF program. By sharing their positive experiences, legislators heard exactly why the EOF program is so important and why funding for the program is necessary.

Their voices were heard. Governor Murphy has proposed a $2.25 million increase for EOF funding.

Through the advocacy efforts of over 13,000 EOF students and 300 professionals, we have made a difference and shown how integral EOF is in supporting New Jersey’s first-generation and low-income students. Felician is proud to be a part of this effort. That is, after all, The Felician Way.

About Felician University

Felician University engages over 2,300 undergraduate, graduate, and adult students through programs in arts & sciences, business, nursing, and education. Universal Franciscan values of social justice, compassion, and respect for human dignity serve as an inclusive foundation for transforming the lives of tomorrow’s leaders. Felician University’s education is ranked 3rd best return on investment for private colleges in New Jersey 2018 by the PayScale.com College ROI Report and is ranked #1 safest college campus in the state by niche.com.

About EOF

The New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund provides financial aid and support services (like counseling and tutoring) to students from economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. To learn more visit https://www.nj.gov/highereducation/EOF/EOF_Eligibility.shtml.