Rider University is giving adults a fresh chance to go back to college and complete their degrees with the help of a $75,000 grant.
This grant is part of New Jersey’s “Some College, No Degree” (SCND) initiative, a program created by the state’s Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE).
Rider is one of 18 schools sharing a total of $1.6 million to help people who started college but didn’t finish.
The program’s goal is to help students finish their education, close gaps in the number of people earning degrees, and strengthen New Jersey’s workforce.
The SCND program is designed to support people who have had to stop their education for many different reasons.
Work, family duties, and financial challenges often make going back to school seem impossible, but Rider’s grant removes those hurdles by covering costs like books, rent, transportation, childcare, and even internet access.
These supports give students a better chance to focus on their education and move forward in life.
Rider has already shown its commitment to this cause by participating in the program last year.
The university helped 14 students re-enroll, and some have already graduated while others are close to finishing their degrees.
With this new grant, Rider is focusing on students who are only 12 credits away from earning their degrees.
The grant will support these efforts through June 2025, with plans to reach even more students and help them complete their educational journey.
The benefits of finishing a degree go far beyond just having a diploma.
Graduates with an associate degree can earn about $3,700 more per year, while those with a bachelor’s degree can see their yearly earnings jump by around $25,000.
It’s not just the students who benefit—New Jersey’s economy gets a boost, too.
In their first year after graduation, these students are expected to contribute an extra $81 million to the state through taxes and spending.
Rider’s commitment to helping adult learners is part of its larger mission to make education accessible for everyone.
Most of Rider’s students are from New Jersey, including many who are the first in their families to attend college or come from underrepresented communities.
These students often face extra challenges, like balancing jobs, family life, and financial pressures, which can make completing a degree even harder.
To support these students, Rider offers flexible learning options, including online classes, evening schedules, and part-time courses.
The university also keeps tuition affordable with low per-credit costs and offers various financial aid options to make college more affordable.
Sean Levin, who is in charge of Graduate and Continuing Education at Rider, is proud of the university’s efforts with the SCND program.
He explains that the grant is not just about getting students back to school but about giving them the support and tools they need to succeed.
Rider’s work is part of a larger statewide effort to help adults return to college and complete their degrees.
So far, the SCND program has helped over 8,600 people across New Jersey return to college, with more than 350 already close to graduation.
The program has been especially successful in reaching students from underrepresented groups, including Black and Latinx communities, who often face additional barriers to higher education.
Rider’s work doesn’t just change individual lives—it creates stronger families, communities, and a better future for everyone.
Graduates with degrees can find better jobs, earn more money, and set an example for others in their families and neighborhoods.
These successes prove one thing: it’s never too late to finish your education and fulfill your ambitions.
Rider University proves that education is more than just earning a degree—it’s about changing lives and opening doors to new opportunities.
This grant offers hope to those who thought their chance had passed.
If you’re in New Jersey and have unfinished college credits, the time is now to go back, finish your degree, and secure a better future.
For more details about Rider University’s participation in the SCND initiative, visit rider.edu/cep-grant.