COURT HOUSE – According to a release, the State of New Jersey approved funding for the program with expanded eligibility, including raising the adjusted gross income to $65,000 or less for all part-time or full-time students.
Students are encouraged to apply since the Sept. 15 deadline covers both Fall and Spring semesters.
Atlantic Cape participated in the successful pilot program, nicknamed “Free College” in the spring and welcomed New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education Dr. Zakiya Smith Ellis in May to discuss the expansion.
Torey Spindler, a CCOG recipient, and resident of Cape May County, explained what the program meant to him: “The Community College Opportunity Grant has substantially enriched my life. Thanks to this grant, I have been able to pursue higher education without having to worry about becoming trapped in student debt or having to choose between paying for tuition and paying rent. I appreciate the NJ Secretary of Higher Education visiting to hear how important this program is to me and so many others across the state of New Jersey.”
Spindler was one of over 300 recipients of CCOG funds during the Spring 2019 semester and over $400,000 was awarded in total.
During the initial phase, students with an adjusted gross income of up to $45,000 were eligible for the grant.
Now that the income level has been raised to $65,000, more students will qualify for tuition-free college this year. The Community College Opportunity Grant pays for tuition costs and approved educational fees that are not already covered by other grant funds.
Atlantic Cape President, Dr. Barbara Gaba, has strongly advocated for the program and recently commented about this exciting grant: “For many, one of the biggest barriers to a college degree is the cost. New Jersey has taken that obstacle away and is inviting you to pave your way to a new future. You don’t have to worry about student loan debt with this opportunity.”
To qualify, a student must have a total household adjusted income not exceeding $65,000; be a resident of Atlantic or Cape May counties, apply to the college and complete an online application for financial aid before Sept.15, 2019.
To begin the process, students and prospective students should fill out the 2019-2020 FASFA application at www.fafsa.gov or the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application at HESAA.org.
The college’s school code is 002596. The New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application allows NJ Dreamers enrolled in eligible New Jersey colleges and universities to apply for state financial aid.
Any student who has completed their financial aid application will be automatically considered for this last-dollar state grant funding.
There is no separate application needed and all steps are free to complete.
Links to both applications can be found on Atlantic Cape’s free college website, atlantic.edu/freecollege.
Classes for the fall semester began Sept. 3, with the Cape May County campus starting Sept. 23. For details about the tuition-free college, email freecollege@atlantic.edu, call 609-343- 5000 or visit atlantic.edu/freecollege.
There are representatives available to answer your questions in person at any of the three campuses locations.
