Annual Omega college fair attracts fewer students

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Organizers of an annual college fair that features representatives from more than 40 black colleges and universities saw a sharp decline in the number of students who attended this year’s fair, held Sunday at the War Memorial.

While as many as 2,000 college students attended in previous years, this year’s fair attracted only about 650. “Last year we had about 1,200 people come,” said co-organizer Harold Vereen of the Delta Upsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, which helped organize the event. “We were expecting that it would be more because of the economy,” he said, explaining that in theory a scarcity of jobs would lead more students to consider going for advanced education.

The War Memorial recruitment event, now in its fourth year, is a joint effort by the Malcolm Bernard Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) College Fair of New Jersey, the Delta Upsilon Foundation Inc. and Delta Upsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.

The goal is to get area high-school students and their parents informed about black colleges and universities, financial aid, and scholarships.

Iva McBride, of Burlington, said she brought her niece, Tia Clark, 17, of Hamilton, to the college fair to let her know that college is a great experience. “I wanted her to see that there are a lot of opportunities, a lot of different schools, and just to get interaction, because that is what’s important,” McBride said. “Kids that are African-American really need to have someone to help them connect.”

Tia, who is a senior at Nottingham High School, said she is interested in two schools and wants to major in biology. She said she took notes during the financial aid seminar. “I learned a lot,” she said.

The organizers said economic hardship should not prevent students from going to school. Robert Alston, who works in the office of financial aid at The College of New Jersey, said he let students know that there is money available to students in the form of loans, scholarships and grants.

His office advises students to fill out as many as 150 scholarship applications to improve their chances of raising college funds, Alston said. “The key is that they’re only going to tell you “yes’ or “no.’”

“If you complete the Free Application for Financial Aid, I can guarantee that you are going to get some money. We know that students can get the minimum just by completing the application,” he said.

Vereen said the fair also was open to New Jersey Rising Scholars, more than 50 students who were selected for outstanding scholastic achievement.

“They will get their application fee waived, on-the-spot acceptance, and one-on-one treatment from the recruiters,” Vereen said.

One such student, Eboni Miller, 17, a senior at Trenton Central High School, said she came to the fair prepared with her transcripts and SAT scores in tow.

“I’m hoping for the best; if I can get accepted right now, that would be good,” she said. “I don’t have to make a decision right now but at least knowing that they’re interested and are accepting me is exciting.”

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