Cherry Hill, NJ-Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01) today hosted a college affordability roundtable at Cherry Hill High School West, featuring leaders from South Jersey colleges & universities, parents, students, teachers and guidance counselors.

“As a father I can personally relate to the sticker shock of trying to put children through college. Whether you are a parent or a student, the cost of higher education is one of the greatest financial challenges facing America’s families today,” said Rep. Donald Norcross. “This simply cannot continue. It is dragging down our economy and more importantly, our children. We must come up with a collective solution to make college more affordable and accessible.” 

Congressman Norcross cited successful, unique partnerships among South Jersey institutions of higher education, which allow students to attend community colleges and after graduating with their 2-year degrees, seamlessly transfer to local universities with degrees from four-year institutions. Students attending Camden County College can transition to Rutgers University to continue their educations. And students attending Rowan College at Gloucester County & Rowan College at Burlington County can transition to Rowan University.

“A college degree is outrageously expensive for most students and families,” said Rowan College at Burlington County President, Paul Drayton. “Our partnership with Rowan University–especially our ‘3+1’ option is quite simply the most affordable path to a bachelor’s degree in New Jersey, if not the nation. ‘3+1’ is so much more than four. Students get more savings, more high-quality education and are more prepared to enter the workforce without high college debt.”

In January, Rowan College at Burlington County will be the first community college in New Jersey to offer junior-year courses before completing a bachelor’s degree at Rowan University that will save them $75,000 compared to attending a four-year institution for all four years.

“As a community college graduate myself, I’m proud to have led the efforts to put a quality, affordable education within reach of our deserving students. We made it happen in New Jersey when I was in the State Senate. We need to show how this model can be applied across the United States so these pioneering ideas can place students in the classroom and position them for careers after college, without shouldering a mountain of debt,” said Rep. Donald Norcross.

"The cost of higher education scares my wife and me as we prepare for our retirement.  We worry about the cost being greater than the benefit.  Having expressed that fear, I know from my own experiences the opportunities that will be afforded my children with a good education.  An 18-22-year-old taking out a large mortgage on their future is no way to start," said Louis Papa, Assistant Principal of Cherry Hill High School West. Papa intends to start his children in community college before transferring them to local universities.

Student Natalie Jimenez is about to complete her associate’s degree at Camden County College before enrolling in Rutgers University-Camden where she intends to major in business administration or human resources. For her, this formula is a “much better option,” after being initially denied financial aid for higher education. Now, working full-time and attending college part-time, she’s closer to her dream of a becoming college graduate.

In the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Norcross helped introduce legislation to give students with loans the option to refinance their debt at a lower interest rate, just like one can refinance a car or home loan. Rep. Norcross also supported legislation to give students the flexibility to receive Pell grants during summer or winter semesters, allowing them to earn a degree at a pace that suits their circumstances, which has been proven to increase graduation rates. And Rep. Norcross consistently supported “529” college savings plans which give students tax breaks on the money they save for college.

“As I’ve said time and again, no one should be graduating college with a quarter million dollars in student loans. Four year colleges and universities are wonderful. But, many are simply out of reach financially, leaving many shut out. We need to have a frank discussion about the cost of college and the student debt crisis. A college education shouldn’t break the bank, plain and simple,” said Rep. Donald Norcross.

In the New Jersey Senate, Rep. Norcross successfully championed the landmark “New Jersey Medical and Health Sciences Education Restructuring Act,” the 2012 higher education overhaul that established New Jersey as a research and medical education hub, designated Rowan as a public research university, granted more local authority to Rutgers University-Camden, and provided both institutions with the resources to better serve South Jersey’s students. Rep. Norcross also worked to pass legislation helping students make informed financial aid decisions and ensuring that all Veterans are eligible for in-state tuition rates.

Rep. Norcross intends to take his findings from today’s college affordability roundtable back to Washington, DC where he can continue the dialogue with Congressional colleagues to identify ways to address college affordability.

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