Building Student Success
YEAR 5 OF THE STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER!
In September 2019, Make the Road New Jersey (MRNJ) launched New Jersey’s first Student Success Center (SSC), a peer-to-peer training and support network. Since then, we have trained 17,000 students in navigating the college process, provided one-on-one assistance to 3,500 students to apply for financial aid and supported first-time college students receive more than $30 million dollars in grants and scholarships.
THE NEED
MRNJ has worked to address the
college access gap in low-income,
BIPOC communities through our
SSC. In its first year of operation,
the SSC increased the college
acceptance rate by more than
35% at Elizabeth’s lowest
performing high schools.
During the pandemic, the SSC
quickly pivoted to a full virtual
program, organizing trainings and
1-on-1 meetings online that
supported thousands of students
experiencing learning loss and
connecting them with college
access services.
In 2024, with FAFSA updates
that disproportionally made the
process less accessible for
mixed-status families, the SSC
has been a lifeline for BIPOC
communities, organizing rapid
response workshops and clinics to
ensure all families are able to
apply for financial aid.
Proven success
The SSC model of putting youth at the center of the college access process has generated powerful results. In the 2023-2024 school year:
- 140 students attended our Spring Preview, a 2-day bootcamp available to all high school grades;
- More than 300 Elizabeth and Passaic high school seniors applied for financial aid;
- The SSC organized 25 in- person financial aid clinics and workshops in Elizabeth and Passaic;
- 1,000 students and parents across the state participated in college access workshops;
- Elizabeth and Passaic High
School seniors have been awarded over $10 million dollars in financial aid and scholarships.
NAVIGATING THE NEW WORLD OF FINANCIAL AID WITH THE SSC!
The hallmark of the SSC has been its ability to adapt. In 2024, the U.S. Department of Education updated the FAFSA, which placed significant obstacles for U.S. citizen students with undocumented parents. The SSC pivoted to this new world of financial aid, organizing rapid response class presentations & financial aid clinics and producing social media content to connect with students and families throughout the state. Additionally, in 2024-2025 the Student Success Center program has:
- Coordinated 20 financial aid workshops, assisting over 300 students and parents to complete the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and the New Jersey Alternative Aid Application;
- Partnered with Union College and Kean University to host multiple college information sessions;
- Published weekly scholarship opportunities including those available to students regardless of immigration status;
- Celebrated multiple college acceptances and full-tuition offers, including Johns Hopkins University, Villanova University, Carnegie Mellon University, Rutgers University and Kean University.
REGISTER FOR AN APPOINTMENT
Click here to schedule an appointment
With our Student Success Center Coordinator or call 908-368-1196 ext 7 to get more information.
About Make the Road New Jersey
Founded in 2014, MRNJ operates centers in Elizabeth, Passaic and Perth Amboy, and an organizing hub Newark. Our work reaches tens of thousands of immigrants and working-class people of color each year. We provide an array of transformative bilingual services in addition to college access including, ESOL and legal services in the areas of immigration, housing, workplace rights, and workplace safety training.
Office Location
Main
Secondary
42 Broad St
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
184 Passaic Street
Passaic, NJ 07201
SSC FELLOW RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Alondra is a senior at John E. Dwyer Technology High School in Elizabeth, NJ. She has been a vital resource for first generation high school students. Alondra was awarded the Princeton Prize in Race Relations for both her work advocating for much needed counselors over additional policing in schools. In her spare time, she likes to try new foods and weightlift. Alondra is valedictorian of her class and will attend Villanova University in the Fall with a full scholarship to study education. Her goal is to become a school counselor and continue build equity in BIPOC
communities.
Support our work at the Student Success Center today! Click to donate.
To request support regarding the Student Success Center please contact collegeambassadors@maketheroadnj.org or call (908) 368-1196 ext. 7.
