Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) Grants

PBI Program

Bloomfield College has received more than $11.5 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Education's Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) Program over the past thirteen years since being designated as a PBI in 2008. The College is one of only two designated PBIs in New Jersey and is the only College that has been awarded a PBI Grant in New Jersey within the past five years. Bloomfield College is also designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and a Minority-Serving Institution (MSI).

In 2007, the Strengthening Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) Program was established under Title III-A, Section 318 of the Higher Education Act. There are two Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) Programs: a Formula Grant Program and a Competitive Grant Program. The focus of the PBI Formula Grant Program is to enhance an institution's capacity to serve more low-and middle-income Black American students; to expand higher education opportunities for eligible students by encouraging college preparation and student persistence in secondary school and postsecondary education, and to strengthen the financial ability of the institution to serve the academic needs of these students. The purpose of the PBI Competitive Grant Program is to support PBIs in establishing or strengthening programs in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), health education, internationalization or globalization, teacher preparation, or improving educational outcomes of African-American males.

Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) must meet specific eligibility requirements to be designated as a PBI. Accredited institutions must have an enrollment of at least 1,000 undergraduate students, of which

  • At least 40% are Black American students;
  • At least 50% are low-income individuals;
  • And at least 50% are enrolled in an educational program leading to a bachelor's or associate's degree.

In September 2021, Congressman Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. announced that Bloomfield College received a five-year, $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education through the PBI Competitive Grant Program. The grant will be used to fund Bloomfield College's Coaching Habits for African-American Male Students to Promote Success (C.H.A.M.P.S.) Program. The goals of the C.H.A.M.P.S. Program are to increase the academic success, retention rates, and graduation rates of African-American male students at the College and increase their overall enrollment in higher education. Evidence-based activities will include:

  • Academic coaching
  • Paid student internships
  • Peer tutoring
  • Online tutoring
  • Leadership workshops and an annual retreat
  • Mental health outreach programs
  • Benefits and resources screening software entitled Single Stop.

In September 2021, Bloomfield College received additional grant funding through the PBI Formula Grant Program. The College was awarded a total of $1.25 million over five years. This funding will enable the College to develop and implement programs to enhance the institution's capacity to serve more low- and middle-income African-American students, as well as, enable the College to support the increased academic needs of our students through a variety of student support services and workshops. Evidence-based activities will include:

  • A campus-wide mentoring program
  • Financial literacy workshops
  • Additional first-year student support
  • Enhanced external communications to promote Bloomfield College courses and programs

Previous Bloomfield College PBI Grants, Formula and Competitive, focused on providing students with the literacy skills to access and evaluate information; enhancing the development of Bloomfield College's renowned nursing program; promoting health literacy among the students as a means to combat obesity and encourage healthier lifestyles; enhancing the postsecondary success of African-American and other high-need students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and Science Education students; and creating an Early College Program and summer programs for high school students.

 

PBI GRANT ARTICLES:

Emerging Leaders in STEM at Bloomfield College (July 2016):

https://bloomfield.edu/about-us/news/emerging-leaders-stem-bloomfield-college

Newark High School Participates in Bloomfield College's 10th Grade Summer Program (August 2016):

https://bloomfield.edu/about-us/news/newark-high-school-participates-bloomfield-colleges-10th-grade-summer-program

Bloomfield College to Host NACADA Advising Summit for Faculty, Staff (September 2016):

https://bloomfield.edu/about-us/news/bloomfield-college-host-nacada-advising-summit-faculty-staff

Bloomfield College Hosts First Annual STEM Career Carnival (October 2016):

https://bloomfield.edu/about-us/news/bloomfield-college-hosts-first-annual-stem-career-carnival

Bloomfield College Hosts Second Annual STEM Career Carnival (March 2017):

https://bloomfield.edu/about-us/news/bloomfield-college-hosts-second-annual-stem-career-carnival

Bloomfield College Hosts Summer Program for Eagle Academy for Young Men of Newark (July 2017):

https://www.bloomfield.edu/about-us/news/bloomfield-college-hosts-summer-program-eagle-academy-young-men-newark

Bloomfield College is Recipient of Two U.S. Department of Education PBI Grants Totaling $4.25 Million:

https://bloomfield.edu/about-us/news/bloomfield-college-recipient-two-us-department-education-pbi-grants-totaling-425

Rep. Payne, Jr. Announces $3 Million Grant for Bloomfield College:

https://payne.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-payne-jr-announces-3-million-grant-bloomfield-college

 

PBI STAFF:

Interim PBI Grant Director and Director of Academic Success Coaching
Rebecca Lutte - Center for Student Success
(973) 748-9000 ext. 1661
rebecca_lutte@bloomfield.edu

PBI C III Grant Associate
Gina Thomas ‘95
(973) 748-9000 ext. 1682
gina_thomas@bloomfield.edu

© Bloomfield College 467 Franklin St. Bloomfield, NJ 07003 973-748-9000