Step 1:
Apply to Atlantic Cape. Application is free and easy to complete.
Community College Opportunity Grant
CCOG updated for 2022!
The Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) program through the State of New Jersey provides free tuition and approved educational fees for qualifying students with an annual adjusted gross income (AGI) between $0 and $65,000.
New Jersey residents with AGIs between $65,001 and $80,000 pay reduced tuition costs after up to 50% of the maximum CCOG award available at their community college is applied. The CCOG covers the cost of tuition and fees that are not already covered by federal and state financial aid or scholarships.
To be eligible for the Community College Opportunity Grant, students must:
- Be a New Jersey resident with an AGI between $0 - $80,000
- Complete the FAFSA or NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application by applicable state deadlines
- Enroll in at least six (6) credits per semester at one of New Jersey's community colleges
- Have not yet earned a college degree
- Make satisfactory academic progress
Students attending Atlantic Cape who have completed their financial aid application prior to the deadline will be automatically considered for eligibility for this last-dollar state grant funding. There is no separate application. If your adjusted gross income (AGI) is under $80,000, you have enrolled in classes and have applied for federal and state aid– then you may be eligible for this grant.
Eligibility restrictions apply. Award amounts determined by NJ Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA). Students with a negative AGI are not eligible to receive this grant.
The Free Community College Process
Step 3:
You will receive your eligibility notice in the mail or via email.
Since the start of the CCOG program
in Spring 2019 through Fall 2020,
there have been over 1,800 awards
totaling $2,627,218.
Part-time and full-time students with an adjusted gross income of $80,000 or less can qualify!
YOU CAN QUALIFY FOR CCOG IF YOU:
- Have an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of under $80k
- Enroll in Atlantic Cape for the Fall or Spring semester with 6-18 credits
- Do not have a prior college degree
- Apply for federal and state financial aid
Find out more information from the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA).
Meet the Faces of Tuition-Free College
"The Community College Opportunity Grant has substantially enriched my life.
Thanks to this grant, I have been able to pursue higher education without having to worry about
becoming trapped in student debt or having to choose between paying for tuition and paying rent."
Torey Spindler
Community College Opportunity Grant Recipient
Need more information?
We welcome new and current students to apply! For more information, send us an email.
Need assistance now? Try out Superbot on the right hand corner of this webpage to find out more.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Community College Opportunity Grant is for eligible students with an adjusted gross income of $80,000 or less who take 6-18 credits and have applied for federal and state grant aid. If you are a returning student, you currently must meet minimum standards for academic performance and academic progress. You also cannot have a prior college degree. To find more information on eligibility, please visit Find out more information from the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA).
This grant shall cover up to the combined costs of tuition and approved educational fees for up to 18 credit hours per semester. The maximum award for each college shall be capped at an amount no more than 2% greater than the equivalent amounts of tuition and fees the institution charged in academic year 2022-2023. Approved educational fees are not to exceed $1,500 per semester per student. To find more information on which fees are eligible, please visit New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority's list of Approved Fees.
Current students who have already completed a financial aid application for the 2022-2023 academic year will be automatically considered for Community College Opportunity Grant eligibility if they enroll at Atlantic Cape for 6-18 credits in the Fall 2021 semester.
Interested students should file for financial aid to apply for Community College Opportunity Grant awards by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the supplemental New Jersey state questions (FAFSA Online), or by completing the Alternative Application for New Jersey Dreamers.
Applying to Atlantic Cape Community College is simple and FREE. Submit your Atlantic Cape application Online today!
No, you do not have register first. However, we recommend you apply early, so that you can secure your position in the classes that you want. Please apply today so you can secure your spot in the classes that fit your schedule. Visit Self Service to register.
You are still eligible for this grant, if you have already registered and paid for your Fall 2022 classes.
To apply for Community College Opportunity Grant awards complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the supplemental New Jersey state questions (FAFSA Online), or complete the Alternative Application for New Jersey Dreamers.
After final awards amounts and eligibility are determined by NJ Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) your account will be adjusted and a refund issued.
The Community College Opportunity Grant is for eligible students with an adjusted gross income of $80,000 or less who take 6-18 credits and have applied for federal and state grant aid.
This grant shall cover up to the combined costs of tuition and approved educational fees for up to 18 credit hours per semester. The maximum award for each college shall be capped at an amount no more than 2% greater than the equivalent amounts of tuition and fees the institution charged in academic year 2022-2023. Approved educational fees are not to exceed $1,500 per semester per student.
If you are a returning student, you currently must meet minimum standards for academic performance and academic progress. Find out more information from the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) on eligibility.
Current students who have already completed a financial aid application for the Fall 2022 semester will be automatically considered for Community College Opportunity Grant eligibility if they enroll at Atlantic Cape for 6-18 credits in the Fall 2022 semester.
Interested students should file for financial aid for academic year 2022-23 to apply for Community College Opportunity Grant awards by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the supplemental New Jersey state questions (FAFSA Online), or by completing the Alternative Application for New Jersey Dreamers.
Student eligibility notices are delivered through the mail and email. Find out more information from the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA).
Interested students should file for financial aid for academic year 2022-23 to apply for Community College Opportunity Grant awards by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the supplemental New Jersey state questions (FAFSA Online), or by completing the Alternative Application for New Jersey Dreamers.
Class registration is now open. Please apply today so you can secure your spot in the classes that fit your schedule. Visit Self Service to register.
Yes, but you can change it as you start to define your career path.
Current students who have already completed a financial aid application for the 2022-2023 academic year will be automatically considered for Community College Opportunity Grant eligibility if they enroll at Atlantic Cape for at least six credits in the Fall 2022 semester.
Applying to Atlantic Cape is FREE, please submit your Atlantic Cape application.
This grant is only good for credit classes. If you would like to find out more about our non-credit classes, please visit our Continuing Education website.
This grant is good for any credit classes, including credit classes with the Academy of Culinary Arts.
There could be some extenuating circumstances that would disqualify you, but we expect the majority of our applicants that meet the state’s criteria will receive the grant benefit. Find out more information from the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) on eligibility.
The Community College Opportunity Grant is a statewide initiative for any interested student that meets the eligibility requirements and goes through the application process. Additional restrictions apply to out of county students. If you are planning to study at the Academy of Culinary Arts or in our drone program, and your county of residence does not offer that program, you may still be eligible. Please email Atlantic Cape or find out more information from the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) to see if you are eligible.
This grant is good for any credit classes, including Online classes, or classes on any of our three campuses.
Students who have already earned either degree are not eligible for the Community College Opportunity Grant.
An appeal can be field with the NJ Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) within 60 days of notification of eligibility or ineligibility. Find more information at Community College Opportunity Grant - Frequently Asked Questions.
