Scholarships with decorative background

Scholarships

Atlantic Cape receives generous donations and raises funds through our Foundation so that a wide range of scholarships are available for both new students and current students. We understand the need for scholarships to help with college costs throughout your time here and we have many scholarships available to help you with tuition, fees, and books.  Phi Theta Kappa scholarships are also available. 

Our annual scholarship campaign for students returning to Atlantic Cape or transferring to another institution for the Fall 2024 semester closed on March 4, 2024.  All completed applications will be reviewed and scored by a blind selection committee consisting of Atlantic Cape faculty and staff.  Decision notifications will be sent in the month of April.  All awarded students are encouraged to attend the Scholarship Ceremony on Monday, May 13, 2024; more details will be provided via email.  Please make sure to check your Buccaneer email account often.  

If you still have questions after going to our Scholarship FAQ below, please 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 Monday, December 11, 2023 and close Monday, March 4, 2024.  If chosen for a scholarship, it can be used for the upcoming Fall 2024 semester. It’s easy, with our new scholarship application process. 

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.

  1. We will start accepting applications Monday, December 11, 2023.  Visit AwardSpring to begin.
  2. 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 for help with your student email account.
  3. Contact 2 professors to request as a reference (can be past or present).  Please confirm permission has been granted prior to submitting your application.
  4. Create a 250 - 500 word essay (please see topics below).  Students are encouraged to have their essay reviewed by a free tutor at tutoring@atlanticcape.edu.
  5. 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!
  6. Deadline to submit your application is Monday, March 4, 2024.

  • Recount a time when you faced a challenge or a 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 $5 million for college scholarships, academic programs and enhancing 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.