NJ Stars Provides Path to Affordable Education

I feel privileged to have the opportunity, through this new column, to share with you the efforts of Atlantic Cape Community College to support the higher education needs of the residents of this county. As you know, the college mission is delivered through our beautiful Cape May County Campus, located in Cape May Court House, which is now in its seventh year of operations.
This is the first of a series of columns I plan to write covering some of the major initiatives, programs and services provided at our Cape May County Campus. For this column, I have selected to discuss a unique program that provides substantial financial support for high performing high school graduates: the New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship program, commonly known as NJ STARS.
I’m delighted to report that the best and brightest Cape May County graduating high school students still have an affordable path to a college education through NJ STARS. The state legislature has passed, and Gov. Chris Christie has on his desk to sign, legislation that solidifies the program and continues to provide free community college tuition for New Jersey high school seniors who rank in the top 15 percent of their high school graduating class. Those who attend Atlantic Cape under the scholarship will save approximately $3,000 a year and gain a tremendous head-start on their college education.
I understand that students and their families today are rightly concerned about the escalating cost of college and student loan debt. By starting at Atlantic Cape under NJ STARS, then transferring to a four-year college or university, students can save as much as $90,000 in tuition and fees. Since Atlantic Cape has numerous degree completion and transfer agreements in place, students can make a seamless transition to pursue their bachelor’s degree.
Students from Atlantic and Cape May counties who meet all criteria will have up to two years from the date of high school graduation to enroll and begin using the scholarship at Atlantic Cape. Students must first apply for all need-based federal and merit-based state financial aid grants. After that, NJ STARS will cover the remaining balance of tuition.
In addition, the updated program also contains a provision called “NJ STARS II” which provides a $2,500 annual scholarship to NJ STARS community college graduates who successfully transfer to a New Jersey four-year college or university to earn their bachelor’s degrees.
From a more personal perspective, I thought it might be of value to share with you some comments from current and former NJ STARS students. This year, Atlantic Cape has 35 Cape May County residents attending the college under NJ STARS. One of those is Gus Piro of North Cape May, a Business Administration major. “I wanted to attend Atlantic Cape because it is close to home and my family, and affordable,” Gus said.
“Since I have been attending Atlantic Cape I have had support from the teachers and my counselor in helping me achieve my goal of getting my business degree. I have also met some great friends.”
Upon graduation, the Lower Cape May Regional High School graduate plans to transfer to Rutgers University at Atlantic Cape. Atlantic Cape graduates can choose degree completion programs in 11 majors through the Rutgers at Atlantic Cape program, which will open a new two-story academic building this fall on Atlantic Cape’s Mays Landing campus.
Melissa Jett of Cape May Court House, a Middle Township High School graduate who is now a senior pursuing a nutrition degree at Brigham Young University in Utah, said she is really thankful for the NJ STARS program.
“I attended Atlantic Cape because I wanted a solid general education but could not afford the increasingly expensive tuition of a four-year college. NJ STARS allowed me to graduate from Atlantic Cape debt free,” said Melissa. “Because of this, I was able to attend two more years at a major university without taking out costly student loans. Without NJ STARS, I doubt this would have been possible. I am very grateful that I was able to benefit from this program!”
Now let’s consider the next steps in the process for eligible NJ STARS participants. Nearly 160 Cape May County high school seniors qualify for NJ STARS for the 2012-2013 academic year. Atlantic Cape is holding a NJ STARS information session at 6 p.m., Monday, April 23, at its Mays Landing Campus so students and parents can learn more about the program.
Jacob Farbman, director of communications for the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, will discuss benefits of the NJ STARS program and a panel of representatives from Atlantic Cape, four-year colleges and the college’s financial aid office will field questions.
Students and their families can receive more information about all aspects of NJ STARS at: www.njstars.net. And, for more information about the college, visit our website at: www.atlantic.edu.
I hope this discussion of the NJ STARS program will prove valuable and of interest. I am looking forward to future columns in which I can discuss other topics related to the mission of Atlantic Cape Community College in Cape May County. And, thank you for your continuing support for Atlantic Cape, the “community’s college.”
Buccaneer Update is an occasional column about the people and programs of Atlantic Cape Community College, home of the Buccaneers.