Grant To Help Students In Early Years At TCNJ

Investors Foundation has donated a $5,000 grant to The College of New Jersey’s Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) to help fund programs that assist students in adjusting to college life, through guidance, financial support and tutoring, the college announced on Tuesday.

"Your generous gift makes the world of difference for students who are full of promise,” said Tiffani Warren, Director of EOF at TCNJ. “Investing in the Educational Opportunity Fund Program at TCNJ directly impacts making education affordable and earning a degree possible.”

The funds from the Investors Foundation will support the EOF Promise Awards, which enable students to attend college at virtually no cost as freshmen and sophomores. Warren said studies show the transition from high school to college is when students are most at-risk academically.

In subsequent years, work-study, loans, and other funding sources assist them with obtaining a degree, helping them to focus entirely on academic success.

Since its inception in 1968, the program has helped more than 1,300 students earn their degrees from TCNJ as participants in the program, according to the college.

EOF at TCNJ applied for the grant from the Investors Foundation, which supports non-profit organizations that enrich diverse communities served by Investors Bank. This is the third year Investors has supported the program.

“The Educational Opportunity Fund is more than just a financial package. EOF provides support in so many ways to these students, and Investors couldn’t be more proud to assist EOF in that mission,” said Maria Tramo, Investors Bank Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager – West Trenton.

The vision of the EOF is to challenge all students in the program to graduate in four years with academic excellence, a passion for lifelong learning and strengthening their communities, and a desire to cultivate a culture of service and alumni Promise Endowment support, the college said.

The program’s core values are relationship-building, innovation, a culture of community and respect, self-development, and accountability.

The attached image was provided by The College of New Jersey: Maria Tramo, fifth from left in top row, Investors Bank Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager - West Trenton, presents the Educational Opportunity Fund at The College of New Jersey with a $5,000 grant from the Investors Foundation. Accepting the award are EOF staff Tiffani Warren, third from left in top row, as well as other EOF staff and students from the program.