“I am a student that has always wanted to attend college but could never think of how I was going afford it, so during my 12^th grade year I filled out a lot of scholarships and most of them turned me down, but finally receiving the news of this scholarship I had so much joy and happiness. Thank you for giving me this opportunity!” – Stockton University Scholarship Recipient

OceanFirst Foundation has a proud and long-standing commitment to expanding access to higher education. For more than sixteen years, our scholarship funding has helped students across our footprint remove financial barriers and pursue their academic goals. Through the OceanFirst Scholarship Program, we have awarded more than $4.5 million in scholarships to more than 3,100 students, strengthening pathways to degree completion and economic mobility.

Investing in Student Success  

Through sustained investment and strong partnerships with regional colleges and universities, OceanFirst Foundation remains dedicated to helping students achieve their dreams, strengthening communities, and advancing educational opportunity for all. In 2026, OceanFirst Foundation will provide $225,000 in scholarship funding to our trusted higher-education partners, which include:

• Atlantic Cape Community College
• Brookdale Community College
• Georgian Court University
• Monmouth University
• Ocean County College
• Rowan College South Jersey
• Rowan University
• Stockton University
• The College of New Jersey

Scholarship Award Amounts

• $1,000 for students attending partner community colleges
• $2,500 for students enrolled in four-year public or private partner universities

A Fair and Independent Selection Process

Each participating college and university manages its own scholarship application and selection process, following the institution’s established policies and procedures. All selection decisions are made independently of OceanFirst Foundation. Representatives of OceanFirst Bank and OceanFirst Foundation—including staff, board members, and affiliates—do not participate in choosing scholarship recipients. This ensures a fair, unbiased, and transparent process for all applicants.

2026 APPLICATION COMING SOON! – CHECK BACK ON MARCH 1ST