5 Ocean County College Students Named Semifinalists For National Scholarship

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Five students from Ocean County College have been named semifinalists in a competitive national scholarship program that pays for students to complete their bachelor's degree.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship awards students up to $55,000 annually to cover costs while completing a bachelor’s degree at an accredited four-year institution in the United States.

It is considered one of the most competitive awards in the country for students attending community colleges.

"The award program aims to remove financial barriers for high-achieving students to ensure they can succeed at top-tier universities," Ocean County College officials said in announcing the semifinalists.

The program also provides personalized advising to the students, access to internships, study abroad programs, and graduate school funding, the foundation said.

"The Ocean County College students who have been selected as semifinalists have amazing personal stories that make their academic and leadership achievements all the more impressive," Ocean County College President Pamela J. Monaco said. "I could not be prouder of these students and the many college employees who provided encouragement and support."

She also praised the foundation, saying, "The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is one of the few generous scholarship funds that recognizes the vital role community colleges play in supporting high-achieving students with bold dreams but limited financial support."

The semifinalists from Ocean County College are Ellie Dowek, Laura Garzon Salinas, Anne Nyangaga, Anthony Paris, and Sabrina Watts. They are among 485 semifinalists from 224 community colleges and were chosen from more than 1,300 applicants across the country.

Selection criteria included an evaluation of academic achievement, perseverance, and leadership, the foundation said.

The final group of 2026 Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars will be announced in May.