Free College In Hudson County? NJ Pilot Program Begins Rollout

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — It’s hard to refuse “free,” especially when it involves a college education.

Hudson County Community College, which has campuses in Jersey City and Union City, has officially started accepting applications for the New Jersey Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) program, which offers a fee-free education to eligible low-income students.

The first semester of the program at Hudson County Community College (HCCC) will begin in spring 2019. See eligibility requirements and learn how to apply here, or get more information by contacting admissions@hccc.edu or (201) 714-7200.

“Thousands of HCCC students struggle every day with balancing full-time employment, full-time studies, and caring for their families,” HCCC President Chris Reber said. “This program will go a long way in easing their burdens and providing a free and accessible education to thousands of continuing and new students next spring.”

About 83 percent of HCCC students receive some form of financial assistance, according to college administrators.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced the launch of the pilot program in September. About 13,000 qualifying students will be able to attend one of 13 community colleges free of tuition and educational fees, he said.

The selected colleges include: Atlantic Cape Community College; Bergen Community College; Camden County College; Cumberland County College; Hudson County Community College; Mercer County Community College; Middlesex County College; Ocean County College; Passaic County Community College; Rowan College at Gloucester County; Salem Community College; Union County College; and Warren County Community College.

• See related article: 13K New Jersey Students Can Go To Community College For Free (Here's How)

Students enrolled at least half-time at these 13 pilot community colleges will be eligible to receive "last-dollar" CCOG awards, which will cover any remaining costs of tuition and approved educational fees after applying all other potential financial aid grants, such as federal Pell Grants and New Jersey Tuition Assistance Grants.

Students coming from families with adjusted gross incomes between $0 and $45,000 will be eligible for CCOG awards. To remain eligible for the program in the future, students must maintain “satisfactory academic progress” at their college.

Current students who have already completed a financial aid application for the fall 2018 semester will be automatically considered for CCOG eligibility if they enroll at one of the 13 pilot institutions for at least six credits in the spring 2019 semester.

Students at one of these pilot community colleges who have not yet filed for financial aid for academic year 2018-2019 will have until February 15, 2019 to apply for CCOG awards by completing the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid and the supplemental New Jersey state questions, or by completing the Alternative Application for New Jersey Dreamers.

Funding for the CCOG is provided for in the state’s Fiscal Year 2019 budget, according to Murphy's office.

With previous reporting by Tom Davis, Patch staff

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Photo: YouTube / Hudson County Community College