Scholarships
The Atlantic Cape Community College Foundation Scholarship Application will open on Monday, December 16, 2024. The deadline to apply is March 3, 2025.
Atlantic Cape receives generous donations and raises funds through our Foundation so that a wide range of scholarships are available for both new and current students. The Atlantic Cape Community College Foundation is dedicated to serving Atlantic Cape's mission by providing financial support to the college and its students. We understand the need for scholarships to help with college costs throughout your time here, and we have many scholarships available to help with tuition, fees, and books.
Our annual scholarship campaign for students returning to Atlantic Cape or transferring to another institution for the Fall 2025 will open on Monday, December 16, 2024. Last year, we awarded over $590,000 to our new and returning students! We have awards available to students based on GPA, county of residence, community service, and major. Our scholarship committee will be reviewing applications throughout March. Students who have applied will be notified in April whether they received a scholarship.
Incoming students starting courses for the first time in the Spring 2025 semester do not need to complete a scholarship application. Scholarships are awarded based on criteria on a first-come, first-served basis. Students will be notified in July if they are recipients. We encourage students to register early.
If you are transferring for the Fall 2025 semester, apply now for the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship funded by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is a highly selective scholarship for the nation’s top community college students seeking to complete their bachelor’s degrees at four-year colleges or universities. The award can provide up to $55,000 per year for up to three years at any accredited four-year undergraduate institution in the United States. The application is available exclusively via the Common App; the application deadline is January 9, 2025. For more information, visit the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation website.
If you still have questions after visiting our Scholarship FAQ below, don't hesitate to contact the Financial Aid Office at (609) 343-5082 or 625-1111, ext. 5082, or email Financial Aid. In Cape May County, call (609) 463-4774, ext. 5082.
Scholarship FAQs
Returning students:
The campaign will open on December 16, 2024 and close on Monday, March 3, 2025 for the Fall 2025 semester. Enrolled students will receive an email notification with details on how to apply.
New students:
After completing your Atlantic Cape application, submitting your high school transcript to Admissions and completing your FAFSA, students are automatically considered for scholarship opportunities, no separate application required. Incoming scholarships are awarded based off of criteria on a first come, first serve basis. Award notifications will be sent to your Buccaneer Email.
- Visit AwardSpring to begin.
- Sign in with your Buccaneer email and AwardSpring password. New users will need to select “Set Your Password” to create a password using your Buccaneer email address. Don’t remember your Buccaneer email? Click here to help with your student email account.
- Contact two professors to request a reference (can be past or present). Please confirm permission has been granted prior to submitting your application.
- Create a 250 - 500 word essay (please see topics below). Students are encouraged to have their essay reviewed by one of our free tutors. Contact tutoring@atlantic.edu for more information.
- The application process does not have to be completed all at once; AwardSpring saves your progress. AwardSpring also automatically matches student applications to scholarship opportunities. You only have to apply once!
- The deadline to submit your application is Monday, March 3, 2025.
Applicants are required to submit a 250-500 word essay on one of the topics below:
- Recount a time when you faced a challenge or setback. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
OR
- Describe how education has contributed to who you are today. Pick an experience from your life and explain how it has influenced your educational development.
Our scholarships are donated to or raised by Atlantic Cape Community College and the Atlantic Cape Foundation. Foundation funds provide college scholarships to students with financial need, capital for campus improvements, and cultural and educational community outreach programs. In its history, the Foundation has raised well over $6 million for college scholarships, academic programs, and it has enhanced the campus environment. All of our awards are contingent upon donor participation and vary each year. Our Scholarship Committee chooses recipients from the scholarship applications.
The criteria vary according to the donor's wishes. Many require a minimum GPA, some specify financial need, and some are for a specific major, county of residence, community service or veteran status. There is even one for students who just love the beach!
No; however, if you wish to be considered for a "need-based" scholarship, you must provide us with your financial information. If you applied for Financial Aid (FAFSA) and applied to the College, we populate that information for you! We encourage you to apply for financial aid because you may be eligible. Did you know that many students lose out on grants because they apply because they don't think they are eligible?
Yes. Atlantic Cape subscribes to a scholarship search engine called FASTWEB. Click on Internet Links & Documents for FASTWEB and other links. You will need to answer several questions about yourself, including, major, hobbies, interests, etc. The search engine will seek out any scholarship you meet the criteria for and instruct you on how to apply.
Yes. Our scholarship programs do not restrict Dreamers from applying for scholarships. And, did you know that Governor Murphy approved a bill so Dreamers can apply for State Grants. Click here for more information for New Jersey State Aid for Dreamers.