How Many Brilliant Minds Will Be Left Behind?

By Rana Rabayah, 2025 Governor STEM Scholar

The kid who could have cured cancer never made it to college—not because he lacked brilliance, but because the cost of higher education made his dream impossible.

This isn’t a fictional story. High schoolers across New Jersey are forced to ask themselves whether their ambitions are even possible–all because of financial hardship. Low-income students with a passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) aren’t being held back by a lack of talent, but by rising tuition and inadequate financial aid.

As a current New Jersey high school student navigating these same barriers, I understand firsthand the struggle of balancing ambition with economic reality. I’ve watched friends in their senior year, full of potential, paralyzed by anxiety–not because they lack drive, but because they have no idea how they'll afford college. For families already struggling to pay for rent, groceries, and gas, the idea of covering college tuition feels impossible.

I’ve seen this in my own family. My older sister dreamed of studying chemistry and becoming a scientist. As salutatorian of her class, she believed that hard work and academic success would open doors. But when one New Jersey state school expected her to pay $16,000 in tuition and fees, it quickly became clear that talent wasn’t enough. That bill was nearly half of our family’s annual income. She had the drive, the vision, and the grades—but not the financial support to match.

While this is a national issue, some states are stepping up–New Jersey, unfortunately, is not. States like Maryland, New York, and Connecticut are increasing their investments in higher education, but New Jersey’s tuition costs remain among the highest in the country. In-state tuition at public colleges now averages $15,367, which is 25% higher than the national average. According to New Jersey Policy Perspective, as tuition rises and aid stagnates, families are forced to shoulder more debt. The result: a pipeline of STEM talent blocked by affordability.

“What about community college?” It’s not the catch-all solution people think. While New Jersey takes pride in strong K-12 schools and flagship institutions like Princeton and Rutgers, our community colleges are severely underfunded. In 2024, the state ranked 46th out of 47 in community college funding, providing just $2,506 per full time student, which is 71% below the national median.

Community colleges are essentially operating with the same resources they had in 2002, according to Aaron Fichtner, president of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, stretching current needs on a decades-old budget. The result? Even the most affordable options remain out of reach for many students.

These financial challenges aren’t new, but they’re getting worse. And if we don’t fix them, more students will be shut out of college, especially those who want to study STEM and move New Jersey forward.

Right now, state leaders are deciding how to spend money in the next budget. Governor Murphy’s plan cuts funding to state colleges and student tuition grant programs. Schools are being asked to do more with less, and students are the ones who lose out.

The governor is also proposing to cut money from a program that helps many students attend community college for free. If that happens, thousands of students could be left without the support they need to continue their education.

This is all happening during New Jersey STEM Month–a time when we celebrate our students, schools, and innovation. We already have amazing talent and strong colleges. But without the funding to support them, too many students—especially from low-income families—will be left behind.

Lawmakers have a chance to act. They should increase funding for public colleges and financial aid. They should also support partnerships between schools and STEM employers, so students can get good jobs after they graduate.

As New Jersey State Senator Andrew Zwicker, a scientist himself, recently warned: without bold change, we’ll be back here again next year, facing the same crisis. And we can’t keep having this same fight every year. If we want a strong future for New Jersey, we need to invest in our students now—especially those who dream of working in STEM and changing the world.

Rana Rabayah is a junior at Atlantic City High School and the founder of CatBlog.org, a platform connecting students to research and STEM opportunities. She volunteers with Hope4AC and is passionate about expanding access to education and ensuring that all students—regardless of income—have the chance to pursue careers in STEM. She is a 2025 Governor’s STEM Scholar.