(New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship)
NJ STARS (New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship) is an initiative created by the State of New Jersey that provides New Jersey’s brightest students with free tuition at their local county community colleges.
This scholarship, funded by the State of New Jersey, allows students to attend their local community college tuition free. If you are not from Bergen County, you are not eligible at Bergen Community College unless BCC offers a program that your local community/county college does not offer.
To qualify you must be a US citizen or have permanent resident status in the State of New Jersey by the point of high school graduation. Your parents/legal guardians must also have this residency status. You must have attended your full senior year at a New Jersey High School & graduate in the top 15%.
Students must apply to Bergen Community College through the general enrollment process. You can see the entire enrollment process here: Get Started at Bergen. Students who are interested in transferring to a 4 year institution for their Bachelor’s Degree should enroll in an AA (Associate of Arts) or AS (Associate of Science) degree program. AAS (Associate in Applied Science) degrees are career programs, & are not guaranteed to transfer to a 4 year school (Including the NJ STARS II schools). Please do all necessary research with your intended 4 year school before finalizing your major.
In order to receive the scholarship, you must first apply for all need-based federal & merit based state financial aid grants by applying for financial aid (www.bergen.edu/financialaid - www.fafsa.ed.gov). Students must also renew their FAFSA application by June 1st annually. NJ STARS will cover the remaining balance of tuition. Students must enroll in an associate degree program and maintain continuous full time enrollment, as well as maintain a 3.0 GPA by the beginning of their second year to be eligible for scholarship renewal for the second year.
NJ STARS students are funded for 12-18 tuition credits each semester over the course of 5 semesters. NJ STARS students are permitted to participate in summer courses, but NJ STARS does not cover the expenses for those credits. NJ STARS also does not cover expenses for fees, books, & room and board.
Students must graduate from their community college in NJ STARS I with a 3.25 GPA in order to receive NJ STARS II. NJ STARS II is also funded by the State of New Jersey, but is reviewed by NJ State legislation annually.
For more information on the NJ STARS program at Bergen Community College, please visit www.bergen.edu/tours for NJ STARS information sessions.
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