Kean University in Union
A Google Maps view of Kean University in Union, N.J. The university received $10 million in state funding to plan a proposed merger with New Jersey City University. Image courtesy of Google Maps

Kean University will receive $10 million in state funding to help plan a massive proposed merger with New Jersey City University (NJCU), a move officials say would reshape higher education in New Jersey.

The funding, announced this week, will support feasibility studies, planning, and legal work tied to the merger process. Kean and NJCU signed a letter of intent in May, outlining their intent to pursue consolidation.

"This strategy honors the legacy of NJCU while elevating our shared commitment to access, equity, and excellence," Kean President Lamont O. Repollet said in a statement. "By coming together, we are creating a stronger, more resilient public higher education system that meets the needs of New Jersey's students and communities."

The merger is still in the early stages, with both universities working with the state to finalize details. If successful, the move would create one of the largest public universities in New Jersey, with more than 25,000 students combined.

NJCU, which has struggled with financial instability in recent years, sees the merger as a lifeline. Kean, based in Union, has positioned itself as the state's "urban research university" and believes a consolidation could expand its reach in Hudson County.

Officials say the process could take several years to complete, requiring approval from the state legislature, the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, and accreditation bodies.