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At Raritan Valley Community College, we believe everyone deserves access to high quality education regardless of their financial situation. With diverse scholarships, loans, free application process, and financial aid options, we make sure our students can prepare for their future at an affordable price. Read on to see how RVCC makes college affordable for our students!

Community College Scholarships
RVCC offers a wide range of scholarship opportunities based on academic merit and financial need. Thanks to the generosity of the corporate community, local businesses, and individual donors, the RVCC Foundation awards over $300,000 in scholarships each year to students based on financial need and academic merit.

Among these is the Lion’s Pride Scholarship for First-Time College Students. This scholarship is available to freshman students who are attending college for the first time. To be eligible, you must be a full-time student (12 credits or more), have a high school GPA of 2.75 or higher, and complete the 2021-2022 FASFA or New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application.

New Jersey Community College Opportunity Grant Program (NJ CCOG)

Many students wonder: “Is there free college in New Jersey near me?” For eligible individuals, the answer is yes. RVCC participates in the New Jersey Community College Opportunity Grant Program (NJ CCOG), which offers free community college to qualified students at in-county schools.
How do you qualify for free college in NJ? The NJ CCOG is meant for students without a prior college degree whose total household adjusted income does not exceed $65,000. NJ CCOG students must enroll in at least 6 credits per semester and make satisfactory academic progress.

To see if you qualify for free spring college tuition or free tuition at other times of the year, the first step is to complete the FASFA—or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. New Jersey dreamers must complete the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application instead.

Eligible students will receive free in-county tuition for up to 18 credits a semester. The NJ CCOG will also pay for most educational fee costs not covered by state, federal, institutional or community grants or scholarships. This includes the General fee. Click here for FAQs on NJ CCOG.

Scholarships for DACA Students

We receive many questions about who qualifies for first generation scholarships. Dreamers are eligible for state financial aid and RVCC scholarships but not federal aid. Complete the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application to see if you qualify for state grant programs such as the Tuition Aid Grant (TAG), NJ STARS, Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF), and the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG). If you‘re interested in learning more about financial aid and scholarships for undocumented students, click here.

About RVCC

Ranked by WalletHub.com and Niche.com as the #1 community college in New Jersey, Raritan Valley Community College has been serving as an academic and cultural center for Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for over 50 years. The College has been nationally recognized for its service to the community, environmental stewardship, and commitment to diversity. It is home to  a Planetarium, Science Education Institute, and an Honors College for high achieving students.

The College offers more than 90 associate degrees and certificates, as well as career training, small business assistance through the Small Business Development Center, and professional development courses. RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu or check out our event calendar to register for an upcoming Information Session.