SEU Highlighted as "Gold Standard" Partner in Newark State of the City Address

Saint Elizabeth University’s commitment to social mobility was front and center during Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka’s 12th State of the City address at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

The Mayor lauded the Guaranteed Education Program, a landmark partnership between the City of Newark and SEU designed to provide a debt-free, four-year college education to at-risk Newark students. Highlighting the program’s success, Mayor Baraka announced that the initiative has reached a historic milestone: 40 scholars are currently enrolled at Saint Elizabeth University, representing the largest contingent of students in the program’s history.

"This partnership is about more than just tuition; it’s about transformation," says SEU President Gary B. Crosby, Ph.D. "By removing the crushing burden of student debt, we are empowering these 'change-makers' to focus on their studies in psychology, social work, nursing, and education, so they can return to their communities as leaders."

The Guaranteed Education Program, administered through SEU’s Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF), targets students who have faced significant adversity, including first-generation scholars and those impacted by violence or family incarceration. With an astounding 77.5% retention rate in its pilot phase, the program continues to serve as a national model for how municipalities and universities can work together to close the wealth and education gap.

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Fast Facts: SEU & The Guaranteed Education Program

• Total Enrollment: 40 Newark scholars are currently pursuing degrees at SEU through this program.

• Debt-Free Promise: The program provides "last-dollar" funding, covering all tuition, fees, and housing expenses for four years.

• Targeted Impact: Focuses on high-demand service fields including Nursing, Social Work, Psychology, and Education.

• National Recognition: Cited by Mayor Baraka as a "gold standard model" for violence prevention through educational healing and opportunity.