More students are now eligible for college tuition-free – or reduced tuition- thanks to another expansion of the Community College Educational Opportunity Grant (CCOG). 

New Jersey’s FY23 budget passed in July and included a boost in funding for CCOG. Last year, eligible students for the program were capped at a family’s adjusted gross income of $65,000. Now students starting this fall with family incomes up to $80,000 are also eligible, with adjusted grants from $65,000-80,000. Those eligible under $65,000 will continue to receive free tuition. Additionally, those who continue to a 4-year New Jersey senior public institution will be eligible for continued breaks in tuition through the Garden State Guarantee that is part of New Jersey’s College Promise initiative.

Many students have taken advantage of the CCOG program at Warren Community College, which initially was one of a handful of community colleges to take part in a CCOG pilot program that expanded to all community colleges last year.  

Students enrolled in at least six credits per semester (two courses) are eligible. Students can enroll in courses delivered in person or online. To continue their eligibility, students must then maintain satisfactory academic achievement. 

“The program is not limited to high school seniors,” emphasized Jacqueline Daly, Director of Financial Aid at Warren. “Students that are eligible, regardless of their age, can apply to the program. For those looking to change careers or gain additional opportunities in their current field, the opportunity is there to have options.”   

Prospective students who meet the financial requirements can get an excellent college education – while incurring little or no student loan debt. CCOG students are eligible if they meet financial requirements and do not already have a college degree.  

“Improving college affordability is key to our State’s efforts to address socioeconomic disparities among residents,” said NJ Governor Phil Murphy. “Expanding access to higher education by reducing financial barriers for students opens the door to countless opportunities they may not have otherwise had. The increased funding in this year’s budget represents my administration’s ongoing commitment to supporting equitable access to high-quality education for all New Jerseyans.”

New students must fill out the FAFSA (Federal Application for Federal Student Aid) or the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application (NJ Dreamer) by NJHESAA’s deadline of September 15, 2022. By completing the FAFSA, Warren students will be considered for the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant, NJ Tuition Aid Grant, Educational Opportunity Grant, NJ STARS, scholarships, and Federal Direct Student loans, along with the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG).

“We were very excited to have been selected to pilot the program and are very happy to see that it is expanding even further,” said Dr. Will Austin, President of Warren. “For many students still reeling from the worst of the COVID pandemic and a struggling economy, this is a chance to attain educational goals that they might not have been able to pursue before.”

For more details about the NJ College Promise and getting started with the CCOG program, go to https://www.hesaa.org/Pages/NJCollegePromise.aspx.

To find out if you or someone you know is eligible for the CCOG program or other financial aid opportunities at Warren, call the Office of Financial Aid at 908-835-2396 or visit http://www.warren.edu/financial-aid/.