DACAmented and Undocumented Students

After you are admitted to HCCC, you need to determine your college placement level to make sure you sign up for the right classes. This will help identify if you need to take extra classes in reading, writing, and mathematics before moving on to college-level classes. There are different options for you to choose from to determine your placement, including in-person and remote options. Keep in mind you can also be exempt from the placement process and can enter directly into college level courses if you meet certain guidelines.

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The state of New Jersey requires that we ask all students who are enrolled full-time (12 credit hours or more) to provide proof of measles, mumps, rubella, and hepatitis B immunizations. All students, regardless if they are full-time or part-time, must provide proof of meningococcal meningitis immunization, unless they are exempt. Students can provide evidence that they are exempt because of the following reasons:

• Medical reasons (such as pregnancy or immunity): Show a physician's statement or official record.
• Religious reasons: Show a statement from an official of the religious organization.
• Anyone born before January 1, 1957: Still must provide proof of hepatitis B immunization.

We accept the following as evidence of immunization:

• An official school immunization record.
• A record from any public health department or physician.

Download and Fill Out Our Immunization Record Form.

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You have many ways to pay for college. Some of them are based on your financial need, although others are based on your grades, interests, or skills.

You could be eligible for grants or scholarships from the government or from HCCC. Financial aid is also available in the form of federal and state loans and grants, such as Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, state Tuition Aid Grants, Federal Work-Study and the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF).

• More About Paying for College

The financial aid application process is confidential and free. The first step in receiving a loan or grant is to apply and file a Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA).

• Start Your FAFSA

Eligible students may qualify for a scholarship at HCCC or from an external source.

• Scholarships

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Click here when you're ready to Register for Classes.

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Yes! All students are welcome at HCCC. The only thing you need to complete our application is a valid address, phone number, and email address. We do not require a social security number or additional paperwork for the application. 

Also, there is a law (Statute P.L. 2013, c.170), which allows undocumented students who meet certain criteria to qualify for the in-state tuition rates at all of New Jersey’s public institutions of higher education. On December 20, 2013, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed into law Senate Bill 2479 (The Tuition Equality Act) referred to as the New Jersey Dream Act. 

Resources for New Jersey Dreamers

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DACAmented and undocumented students, who meet the criteria listed below, are eligible to receive state financial aid, including the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) by filling out the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application.  

• Attended high school in New jersey for three or more years  
• Graduated from a New Jersey high school or received the equivalent of high school diploma in this state (GED)
• Register as an entering student or are currently enrolled in a public institution of higher education not earlier than the fall semester of the 2013-2014 academic year 

How to Apply for New Jersey State Financial Aid 

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Step 1: Visit our Financial Aid Resources for NJ Dreamers page to learn more about the financial aid process.  

Step 2: Complete the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application. Be aware of State Deadlines. 

Step 3: Apply for NJ State Aid, administered by NJFAMS, before the semester you enroll. Click here to create a NJFAMS account.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Alternative Application

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There are many NJ State Aid Resources available for students: 

Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG): New Jersey students enrolled in any one of the State’s 18 county colleges may be eligible for tuition-free college. Students who are enrolled in at least 6 credits per semester and who have an adjusted gross income of $0 - $65,000 will be considered for this state grant. 

There is no separate application. If you already completed the FAFSA® or the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application for NJ Dreamers, you are automatically being considered for this state aid. 

Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Programs provide students with academic and financial support to assist in the journey towards an Associate Degree. Created by a New Jersey statute in 1968, the EOF program has been a student success model that emphasizes on the three key aspect of a successful college student: personal, academics, and social. 

Fine out more about HCCC's EOF Program.

Governor's Urban Scholarships offer grants to high-achieving students living in certain NJ cities: Asbury Park City, Camden City, East Orange City, Irvington Township, Jersey City, Lakewood, Millville City, Newark City, New Brunswick City, Paterson City, Plainfield City, Roselle Borough, Trenton City, and Vineland City. 

NJ GIVS pays up to $2,000 per year or up to the cost of tuition for an eligible certificate or degree program at a New Jersey technical/vocational school or county college. 

NJ STARS I covers tuition for high-achieving students who enroll in their home county or community colleges. 

NJ STARS II offers up to $1250 per semester to NJ STARS students transferring from their home county colleges to participating 4-year NJ institutions. 

Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) is a program open to all undergraduate students who have lived in NJ for at least 12 months, demonstrate financial need, and are enrolled full-time in an approved degree program. There is also a part-time option for community and county colleges. 

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The HCCC Foundation and Government Scholarships are open to undocumented students. The application is short and simple! 

 

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The following scholarships are open to undocumented and DACA students:  

• National Merit Based Scholarships
• La Unidad Latina Foundation Scholarships
• Chicano Organizing and Research in Education Scholarship
• Consejo de Federaciones Mexicanas
• Western Union Foundation Scholarship Program

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Visit CARES Act to submit a request for emergency funding. 

 

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HCCC offers credit and non-credit English as a Second Language (ESL) courses.  

 

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Visit the Hudson Helps Resource Center (HHRC) for assistance. 

 

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All students have access to Personal Supports, including Mental Health Counseling and Wellness, Accessibility Services, and the Hudson Helps Resource Center. There are many Student Resources to keep you on track. Finally, we encourage you to get involved in Student Life and Leadership events and activities.   

Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Submit a Concern to our CARE Team

Hudson Helps Resource Center (HHRC)

 

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Local NJ and NY Resources  

These are local resources available for students to seek out and for faculty and staff to refer students to in the HCCC family. 

CWS Jersey City 
LEGAL HELP 
26 Journal Square, Suite 600 Jersey City, NJ 07306 
201-659-0468 

Church World Service (Jersey City) 
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT 
26 Journal Square, Suite 600 Jersey City, NJ 07306 
201-659-0467 

Asylum Seekers Advocacy Project 
LEGAL HELP, COMMUNITY ACTION AND ORGANIZING 
40 Rector Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10006 

The Black Institute 
COMMUNITY ACTION AND ORGANIZING 
39 Broadway Suite 1740, New York, NY 10006 
212-871-6899 

The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights (New York) 
COMMUNITY ACTION AND ORGANIZING 
85 Broad St, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10004 
646-838-0229 

First Friends of NJ & NY 
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, LEGAL HELP 
53 Hackensack Ave, Kearny, NJ 07032 
908-965-0465 

National Resources 

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) 
Resources for DACA students 

United We Dream (UWD) 
The Largest Immigrant Youth Led Network 

TheDream.US is a resource library links, toolkits, guides, references and other information pertinent to Dreamers. 

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