Front view of the Student Center.

Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) Grant Programs

PBI Grants History

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 Creating Headstrong Aspiring Men Persistent In Overcoming Next Steps (CHAMPIONS) Program. The goals of the CHAMPIONS 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

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 focuses on providing programs to enhance the institution’s capacity to serve more low-and middle-income African-American students and enable the College to support the increased academic needs of our students.

We are thrilled to offer our students: