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Academic Foundations Center
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Academic Foundations Center
  • About Us

About Us

The Academic Foundations Center (AFC) is comprised of academic and service programs that ensure the success of students enrolled at Rutgers University – Newark through college graduation. AFC combines strong instruction and tutorial services with the personal, financial and career counseling support necessary for academic and social advancement. These features are integral to the success of our students.

Additional pillars supporting our success are strong partnerships with academic departments, the Rutgers Learning Center (RLC) and student support units at the University. A deeply committed faculty at all levels within the AFC ensures the academic integrity of our programs and an equally committed counseling staff ensures appropriate high quality support for our students.

Programs offered by the Academic Foundations Center:

  • The New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund was created by law in 1968 to ensure meaningful access to higher education for those who come from backgrounds of economic and educational disadvantage. The Fund assists low-income New Jersey residents who are capable and motivated but lack adequate preparation for college study. The Fund is distinctive in the comprehensiveness of its approach. To ensure the opportunity to attend college, the Fund provides supplemental financial aid to help cover college costs (such as books, fees, room and board) that are not covered by the state’s Tuition Aid Grant program. To ensure a viable opportunity to succeed and graduate, the Fund supports a wide array of campus-based outreach and support services at 28 public and 13 independent institutions.

  • The Student Support Services (SSS) Program provides supplemental tutoring, counseling, remediation and other support services to disadvantaged college students. The aim of the Program is to increase rates of college retention and graduation among disadvantaged college students. Student Support Services (SSS) is a TRIO Program federally funded by the United States Department of Education designed to assist students.  The Program provides opportunities for academic development, assists students with college requirements, and serves to motivate towards the successful completion of their post-secondary education. The goal of our Program is to increase college retention, increase graduation rates of its participants, and facilitate the process of transition from high school to a four–year college or university.

  • The McNair Scholars Program, funded by a federal TRIO education grant, is designed to provide select college students with effective preparation for doctoral study. Admitted students will have approximately two years remaining until graduation. Program participants engage in research, seminars and educational activities that promote scholarly development and readiness for graduate studies. Services provided to students by the McNair Scholars Program include faculty-mentored research opportunities, graduate application assistance, academic advising, college visits, non-credit workshops and exposure to cultural events. McNair Scholars receive a stipend of up to $2,800 per academic year, based on completing specific program milestones.  Additionally, McNair Scholars are provided support in securing admission and funding for graduate studies.

  • Rutgers University-Newark is the proud leader in a program to enhance the success of students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields. The program will create a learning community in STEM that includes effective help with challenging classes, research opportunities, internships, employment opportunities, possible international experiences, possible financial aid for graduate school and career opportunities. The program extends well beyond the confines of Rutgers and is recognized nationally for its success in helping students graduate in STEM fields and continuing into rewarding careers. It has added greatly to the diversity of STEM fields.

  • Partnerships and Engagement manages collaborative relationships with various institutions, especially from Newark and greater Newark. This office ensures that current academic partner students attending Rutgers University-Newark receive support services needed to graduate. The goal is to engage these students as fully in the student development opportunities available on campus and in the community. This office primarily serves undergraduates from the Rutgers Future Scholars, Cooperman College Scholars, KIPP and TheDream.US Programs.

Courses offered by the Academic Foundations Department:

  • Supplemental support course for the college algebra series. Under the guidance of an instructor, students develop insight and facility in functions, operations of functions, operations on polynomials, fractions, solution of linear and quadratic equations and inequalities, graphing of linear and quadratic functions, solution of word problems, elementary probability, and statistics. In addition, the syllabus for the course being supported is followed to supplement material covered in lecture. 

    Corequisites: 21:640:105 or 21:640:107-109.
    Open to EOF students only.

  • Tutoring support course for intermediate algebra and college algebra series offered by the Mathematics Department. The course topics will parallel the algebra course. The course is intended to build and strengthen essential mathematical skills.

    Corequisites: 21:640:104-105 or21:640:107-109.

    Open to EOF students only.

  • Focuses on the development of critical thinking. Under the guidance of EOF instructors, students use and evaluate frameworks and develop a set of critical attitudes and reasoning skills. The course assists students in thinking about and articulating thoughtful positions concerning contemporary issues, classroom discussions, and social situations.

    Open to EOF students only.

  • Support course that focuses on English, math, science, and study skills. Under the guidance of EOF instructors, students develop and improve upon reading, writing, math, and science skills. The course goal is to ease the transition from high school to college by developing the critical skills necessary to achieve academic success.

    Open to EOF students only; first year only.