Newark vs. Camden: Friendly ‘Challenge’ Will Empower Local Students

NEWARK, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the City of Newark. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Mayor Ras Baraka kicked off the 2024 “FAFSA Challenge” of Newark versus Camden at a press conference on Tuesday in the Newark City Hall Press Room. Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen made a simultaneous announcement in his city. Newark Public Schools Superintendent Roger León, NJ Children’s Foundation (NJCF) Executive Director Barbara Martinez, My Brothers Keeper Newark Executive Director Mark Comesañas, and Newark City of Learning Collaborative Executive Director Robyn Ince also spoke at the Newark announcement. In addition, two alumni, Eagle Academy graduate Mekhi Fields and West Side High School graduate Shayaka Wilson, addressed attendees.

The two major New Jersey cities will engage in a friendly competition to empower local students, fuel higher education aspirations, and build momentum for college enrollment.

“Completing the FAFSA can open up opportunities for kids who don’t think they can afford college,” said Mayor Baraka. “That’s why I’m joining my good friend, Camden Mayor Carstarphen, to challenge our students and their families to take this critical step to a better future. I know Newark is going to take the prize.”

The goal of the challenge is to increase Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion rates and open doors to postsecondary success. Newark and Camden high schools will compete for the highest completion rate by city. In total, $70,000 will be awarded to high schools in both cities, with NJCF and the Camden Education Fund each contributing $30,000 apiece in prize money for the schools with the highest completion rates in their respective cities. In addition, the organization in the losing city will pay an extra $10,000 to the winning city’s organization to be distributed to participating schools.

“As leaders, we recognize the transformative power of education. The FAFSA Challenge is a rallying cry for our youth, unlocking the doors to a world of possibilities through accessible financial aid and academic support,” said Mayor Carstarphen.

In Newark, there will be four competing groups based on the type of schools – district, charter, magnet, specialized/county/private. The school with the highest completion rate in each group will win $5,000 for their senior class and the school with the highest overall completion rate will win an additional $10,000 (for a total of $15,000).

“We have so many talented students who deserve to go to college and should not be held back because they don’t think they can afford it,” said Superintendent León. “I hope the healthy competition of this FAFSA Challenge with Camden inspires our students and families as much as they inspire me every day.”

“We must address the racial disparities our young people of color face in access to, and through, college. Efforts like this FAFSA challenge are a critical part of our collective strategy to support young people as they transcend circumstances for themselves, their families, and ultimately our community,” said Mr. Comesañas.

“The FAFSA Challenge is a fun way for us to drive home a very serious message: every child in Newark deserves access to the financial means to get the education they need to succeed in life,” said Ms. Martinez. “NJCF truly appreciates the commitment of Mayor Baraka and the Newark community to this important campaign.”

The FAFSA completion rate for Newark was 65 percent, as of September 15, 2023. That completion rate – which includes district, charter, magnet, specialized, and county high schools – exceeds the national (58.5 percent) and state (64.4 percent) averages.

The 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) officially opened on Sunday, December 31, 2023, for students who plan to attend college. Seniors who complete the FAFSA are more likely to enroll in higher education, persist in their college coursework, and successfully obtain a degree.

Schools can track their progress throughout the competition on the FAFSA Tracker website, which will start updating once data is available from the U.S. Department of Education.

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