<p>Most state schools went through some cuts during the early 2000's. Now NJ is government shut down and the schools might be in for some very large cuts in funding. Something to consider before going to a NJ school--especially from out of state.</p>
<p>It sucks. I'm from NJ and I'm planning on using one or two NJ schools as safeties and now they're cutting a lot of merit based aid, which makes those less attractive options</p>
<p>I think Rutgers and TCNJ are going to see a big change in the type of students who matriculate at their schools if these budget cuts continue. Many top students are enticed by those schools because of their merit aid. They already don't have the means to give need-based financial aid. In the case of myself and many of my friends, it was actually cheaper for us to go to $45,000/year private schools than it was to go to either Rutgers or TCNJ. The financial situation at New Jersey schools already leaves a lot to be desired.</p>
<p>New Jersey complains that so many students go out of state, but they're doing nothing to help the cause. And the $1,000 Bloustein scholarship is certainly not enough to convince students to stay in state when there are cheaper and more viable options elsewhere.</p>
<p>Barrons, Thank you for the article. It is just so sad for students that want to remain instate. Some of my son's friends are headed for Rutgers as incoming freshmen. My S decided to go oos.</p>
<p>The budget battle is just the latest bad news regarding NJ public colleges and universities. NJ was already known, along with Massachusetts, as having the highest resident tution at its colleges. That's particularly distressing considering that next door in New York the tuition at SUNY is much lower. New York even provides grants to partially subsidize tuition at its private colleges. Statistically, NJ is the wealthiest state in the union, but relatively little $$ goes to public colleges and universities.</p>
<p>LakeWashington, This is part of the reason that our kids will be oos.</p>
<p>Yeah, they cut Governer's school and many of the NJ state universities are cutting their aid down. There's also the fact that UNDNJ is involved in that scandal thing with the money. </p>
<p>Just another reason to go out-of-state!</p>