The following was an email sent out to Rutgers University students. It discusses Governor Chris Christie’s proposal for a new state budget, in terms of higher education:

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie yesterday proposed a $32.1 billion
state budget for Fiscal Year 2012-13 that includes a welcome increase in
higher education funding, particularly in financial aid programs for New
Jersey students.

Funding for the Tuition Aid Grants program will increase by more than 10
percent. There will also be a 1.3 percent increase in the Educational
Opportunity Fund program, the first EOF increase in four years. The
Governor also proposed $1 million for a new Urban Scholarship program
for students who finish in the top 5 percent of their high school class
and attend a New Jersey college or university. The increases in student
aid contained in Governor Christie’s budget proposal are among the
highest increases in the budget and are an indication of the governor’s
commitment to keeping college affordable for New Jersey’s students.

Governor Christie’s budget holds operating support to Rutgers level with
last year’s budget and increases funding for employee benefits here and
at the other public colleges and universities in New Jersey.

The Governor’s proposal is the first step in the budget process, which
now shifts to the Legislature. Rutgers will monitor the process and will
advocate on behalf of higher education as the state budget is
deliberated and finalized between now and the end of June.