Turning now to the state budget.

Community colleges across New Jersey are getting some financial relief heading into the next school year thanks to lawmakers who stepped in to restore some of the funding initially cut from the $ 59 billion budget.

However, not all funding was spared.

Financial aid programs, including the community college opportunity grant, were reduced.

So, what does this all mean for students here in Jersey?

To discuss more, I'm joined by Hannah Gross, education and child welfare writer.

Hannah, let's start off with the good news.

So, how much money are we talking about?

And when we think about the restored funds, where is that all going?

So, lawmakers restored $20 million in operating aid to the community colleges, which helps them pay for programs and services, helps them not increase tuition too greatly from year to year.

And they also restored funding for summer tuition aid grants, which help students pay for their college over the summer to stay on track to graduation.

And what does how does it help students when we think about that financial stability?

It's important especially at the community colleges.

If students stay engaged over the summer, they're more likely to return for their second year.

So having that funding over the summer is super important for kids who are maybe working and they're part-time students.

And when we think about who that affects, how many students are we talking about here in Jersey?

So there's about 240,000 students who attend the community colleges.

It's a huge chunk of the undergraduate population here and we understand that this move was made with bipartisan support.

Is that correct?

During budget hearings, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle were outspoken about the need for increasing funding for community college.

Governor Murphy has made funding for higher education a huge priority during his time in office, but tried to flat fund or decrease funding for a lot of these higher education programmings.

pop causing lawmakers to step in and increase that funding.

Not all the funding made it through.

So, what cuts were made and who is that affecting?

So, there were some cuts to the community college opportunity grant, which is basically part of the state's promise for free community college.

So, in the past, it helped students with family incomes up to $100,000.

If your family was making under $65,000, you could go to community college for free.

Between 65 and 100, that was reduced tuition.

Going forward, for students who are newly eligible for the program, you'll only be able to take part if your family is making under 65,000.

So, how are students through your reporting pivoting?

I mean, they are trying to stay on track to their degree as best as possible.

The summer tuition grants are still in place for this summer.

So, they're trying to take summer courses this summer to stay on track and then next summer, there's some money available.

It's not going to be the full cost as estimated by the higher education student assistance authority.

So, they're hoping they can get some more money there or just pile up on the credits and keep making progress towards graduation.

When we think about community colleges, bigger picture here, how important is that to Jerseyy's economy?

When we think about students who may not now have any access to that education, it's huge for the economy.

Community colleges are helping fill some of the big shortages we're seeing right now, whether it's in nursing or teaching and other programs across the state.

Students are also very likely to stay in New Jersey, whether they're going on to a 4-year college or university, or they're joining the workforce, often in their community.

So the money that goes to community colleges generates more dollars for the state economy.

That's an excellent point and I know that off camerara we spoke about this.

You have been in conversations with community college presidents.

What is your reaction to this when we think about the funding and to financial aid because that also impacts them as well.

I mean they're pleased they're getting more money than was initially proposed in the governor's budget.

They told me that something is better than nothing, but at the same time, they already had to plan their tuition for next year before the governor's budget was struck.

So, there are some tuition increases, but this means services and programs will be able to remain at one many of the state's community colleges.

And clearly, we know that you don't have a crystal ball, but what do you see?

What do you now foresee happening with with these funding cuts?

I mean, it depends who the next governor is and who is in the legislature next year and how important funding for community colleges and higher ed will be.

These colleges are also under a lot of pressure at the federal level um with threats to take away their funding based on their use of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and some other cuts across the board.

So, they're in a bit of a sticky situation right now.

All right, Hannah Gross, excellent reporting as usual.

Thank you so much.

Thank you so much for having me, Raven.