What Scholarships Are Available and How Do I Apply For Them?
Raritan Valley Community College Scholarships are available to all RVCC students including
international students and students who are not eligible to complete the FAFSA.
Scholarship opportunities are listed at the end of this section. Scholarships
are awarded on a first come first serve basis once grades have been calculated
for the prior semester. Scholarship funds are limited and we recommend that you
apply for scholarships as early as May (for the following fall semester) and
December (for the following spring semester). RVCC offers academic and non-academic scholarships.
Typically, if a student is awarded one academic scholarship, that student is not eligible
for additional scholarships in that same academic year. If
financial need is a criterion for a scholarship,
the student must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as part of the application process.
Scholarship awards are typically divided between the first and second semesters of each
academic year. As funding for academic scholarships is limited, scholarships are awarded
in the following order of preference, as funds remain available. Scholarships are not awarded
for the summer sessions.
Named scholarships are awarded according to the guidelines established by the donor(s).
The Financial Aid Office adheres to these guidelines and may or may not make an award in a
given semester or year if no applicants meet the established criteria.
General RVCC Scholarship
Application Form
Academic Scholarships
Clarice Olinger Scholarship
This scholarship was established through the generous support of the Olinger family. The scholarship will be awarded to second
year students who have shown academic achievement, financial need, and a commitment to obtaining their degree.
Donald E. Ryan Scholarship
This scholarship was established by past RVCC President G. Jeremiah Ryan to honor his late father, Donald E. Ryan. The
scholarship will be awarded to an RVCC student who demonstrates financial need and academic potential.
ESL Scholarship
This scholarship was established by Lorena Molineux, a former ESL tutor at RVCC, to as to assist students studying ESL
as a pre-requisite for their degree program.
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Galileo Scholarships
These scholarships will be awarded to RVCC students majoring in math, science, technology or computer science.
It is jointly funded by individual and corporate donations and by grant monies awarded to the college from the National
Science Foundation. Please use the Galileo Scholarship
Application for the following four Galileo Scholarships.
A. Bernard Lindemann Science Scholarship
This scholarship was created by Professor Ellen Lindemann and the Lindemann family in 2002 to celebrate the
70th birthday of Board of Trustee member A. Bernard Lindemann. This scholarship will be awarded to a Galileo Scholar
who is a science or engineering major with unmet financial need.
Glassman Scholarship
This scholarship was established by Sanford and Karolee Glassman and will be awarded to a Galileo Scholar majoring
in engineering who also demonstrates financial need and academic merit.
Intersil Scholarship
This scholarship will be awarded to a Galileo Scholar majoring in computer science or chemistry with a grade
point average of 3.5 or better. Preference will be given to students with financial need.
SSTEM Scholarship
This scholarship will be awarded to a Galileo Scholar with unmet financial need.
RVCC Galileo Scholarship
This scholarship will be awarded to a Galileo Scholar regardless of unmet financial need.
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Gibson Family Scholarship
Through the generous support of the Gibson family, this scholarship was created in 2000 to assist students with
financial need in obtaining a degree.
Karolee Dousa Glassman Scholarship
This scholarship was established by Karolee Dousa Glassman and will be awarded to a student who is a single mother
and demonstrates financial need.
International Student Scholarships
Please note that these scholarships have their own application forms and
will be available in August 2008. All applications and supporting documents must be received in the financial
aid office no later than October 15th.
Muslim Center of Somerset County Scholarships - Ibna Sina Scholarship
This scholarship will be awarded to a current or entering RVCC student with financial need, academic merit and a
demonstrated record in promoting global understanding and cultural diversity. Selection is made by application with
two letters of reference, an essay and committee review. Applications will be available in August 2008.
Muslim Center of Somerset County Scholarships - Math and Science Scholarship
This scholarship will be awarded to a current or entering RVCC student with financial need, academic merit in the
field of math or science. The student must have a GPA of 2.5 or better or an overall B average or above from high school.
Selection is made by application with two letters of reference, an essay and committee review.
Applications will be available in August 2008.
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Lewis J Gray Scholarship
This scholarship was created to honor the memory of Lewis J. Gray, who was instrumental in founding Raritan Valley
Community College. Up to two scholarships will be awarded annually to first year students who have graduated from a
Somerset and Hunterdon County high schools with a demonstrated commitment to community service.
Malone Foundation Scholarship
The Malone Foundation Scholarship will be awarded annually to three students with unmet financial need and a disability
in the amount of $500 each to be used toward tuition, fees, and education supplies.
Nursing Scholarships
Area VII Physicians Scholarship
In an effort to support nursing education, this scholarship is awarded to Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean or Somerset
county residents with financial need to nursing students in their second year of clinical courses.
Clinton Women’s Club Scholarship
This scholarship was established by the Clinton Women’s Club to assist women beginning their second year in the
nursing program. Applicants must be over 21 and have financial need. Preference will be given to students from Hunterdon County.
Ethicon Nursing Scholarship
This scholarship is funded by Ethicon, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson Company, in honor of former Dean Thomas L. Green.
This scholarship will be awarded to students majoring in nursing. Selection may be made by committee review.
Fabienne Stassen Scholarship
The Fabienne Stassen Nursing Scholarship was established by the family of a young graduate of the program who died
suddenly in 2006. The scholarship of $1000 for the academic year is awarded to nursing students who demonstrate a
commitment to helping others, to making a difference in the health and welfare of individuals and the community as
well as showing an attitude of caring and empathy. Students must have financial need and be entering the second year
of clinicals. In order to apply students should provide a brief essay (no more than a page) describing how you meet
the guidelines and how this scholarship will not only provide benefits to you but to those you will serve as a
health care provider along with the scholarships application to the financial aid office by
July 1st. Selection may
be made by committee review.
RVCC Nursing Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to students pursuing a nursing major
Offie R. Dennis Memorial RVCC Scholarship
The Offie R. Dennis Memorial High School Senior Scholarship was created to honor the legacy left by the late Offie R. Dennis,
former Hillsborough High School graduate and a Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) student. This scholarship was designed to
embody the philanthropic, comedic, athletic and determined spirit of Offie R. Dennis who was tragically killed in 2006.Offie
participated in organized sports including football and track while at Hillsborough High School. At RVCC, Offie participated in,
among other programs, a Fashion Show to benefit families displaced by Hurricane Katrina. The scholarship was started by
Danielle Hobbs and members of Club B.L.A.C.K, now Club Un1ty, to honor Offie’s memory. The scholarship continues to be funded
by general donations and through fundraising by Club Un1ty.
This scholarship will be awarded to a student to help pay tuition, fees, and book charges.
Pepsi Scholarship
Funded by Pepsi, this scholarship will be awarded to an RVCC student with a GPA of 3.00 or better.
RVCC Merit Scholarship
Funded by proceeds from the annual spring fundraising event sponsored by the Raritan Valley Community College
Foundation, this scholarship will be awarded to an RVCC student with a GPA of 3.00 or better.
Somerset Hills AAUW Scholarship
Created in 1998 by the Somerset Hills Chapter of the American Association of University Women, this scholarship
supports mature women who are returning to school to seek a career or obtain a degree. Applicants must demonstrate
financial need and be residents of Somerset or Hunterdon counties.
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Tom Tarnowski Scholarship Fund
This scholarship, created in 2001, is awarded each year to a recent Somerset and Hunterdon county high school
graduates. Applicants must be a member of the National Honor Society and intend to transfer to a four year institution
after graduating from RVCC. This scholarship, made possible by the Raritan Valley Community College Board of Trustees,
recognizes the academic achievement of outstanding students from Hunterdon and Somerset county high schools.
Applications can be downloaded by clicking here.
Trustee Scholarship
This scholarship, created in 2001, is awarded each year to a recent Somerset and Hunterdon county high school
graduates. Applicants must be a member of the National Honor Society and intend to transfer to a four year
institution after graduating from RVCC. This scholarship, made possible by the Raritan Valley Community College
Board of Trustees, recognizes the academic achievement of outstanding students from Hunterdon and Somerset
county high schools.
Wayne J. Forrest, Esq. Criminal Justice Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 1993 through the generosity of Criminal Justice Adjunct Professor and Career
Law Enforcement Practitioner Wayne J. Forrest. Applicants must be enrolled full-time in a Criminal Justice degree or
certificate program and maintain a 3.0 grade point average. The application deadline is October 1 of each year.
Selection may be made by committee review.
Wellbrock Family Scholarship, Edward Nash Scholarship, and Jack Penn Scholarship
These scholarships were endowed in 2001 through the generosity of Trustee Richard Wellbrock. Students
demonstrating academic merit and financial need will be eligible for these funds.
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Non-Academic and Outside Scholarships
Tuition Scholarship for Victims' Dependents
The Raritan Valley Community College Tuition Scholarship for Victims' Dependents was created in response to the terrorist
attacks on September 11, 2001. Raritan Valley Community College will give full tuition scholarships to eligible dependent children
and spouses of Hunterdon and Somerset County residents who lost their lives in the September 11 attack on the United States.
The intent of this scholarship is to ease the financial burden of those students that have lost a loved one and would find
attending college financially difficult. Please print the Victim's Dependent Scholarship Form,
complete it, and return it to the Financial Aid office.
Outside Scholarships
Feel free to explore the following web sites for information on free scholarship searches,
and to read about general financial aid information:
Scholarship Search Engines
Peterson’s
fastWEB.com
FinAid!
Phi Theta Kappa (National Honor Society)
Scholarships.com
Other Outside Scholarships
New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts seeks to award one or two $1500 scholarships to students in the field of
conservation. Students must have completed four (4) semesters by the Fall 2008 semester, be a full time student in good standing,
be a New Jersey Resident, and in a major related to conservation. Applicants should complete the
NJACD Scholarship Application Form.
Applications should be submitted by April 25, 2008.
The Berkeley Heights Volunteer Rescue Squad (BHVRS) is offering a College Tuition Scholarship Program beginning in Fall 2008.
Applicants must have a valid New Jersey EMT card, at least six (6) months experience, be an active full-time or part-time
student abide by the Constitution and By-Laws of the BHVRS, and cover 14 12-hour shifts during the length of the semester.
Applicants will receive uniforms and necessary equipment as well as $1800 towards tuition. This payment will be made directly to the College
on the student's behalf. The first payment will be made after the first seven (7) weeks of the semester with the balance paid at the
end of the semester. For more information and to apply, please download the
BHVRS Information and Application.
The TWIN Management Forum of Central New Jersey offers a Scholarship Program to support its commitment to the ongoing educational
advancement for women. For 2008, the program includes at least two awards of $1000 each. The scholarships must be used for
education-related expenses. Candidates must be women at the undergraduate level whose college work is needed for entry or reentry
into the workplace or career development. This award is not for recent high school graduates. Candidates must demonstrate financial
need and realistic goals. Candidates must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States living in areas served
by the YWCA TWIN Program of Central NJ (Somerset, Union, Middlesex and portions of Hunterdon, Morris, Essex, and Monmouth Counties).
Candidates must also be willing to work with a career mentor if assigned one. To request an application packet please visit the
Program's website at www.YWCA-CNJ-TWIN.org.
The Gilman International Scholarship Program provides awards of up to
$5,000 for U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad for up to one academic
year. The program serves students
who have been under-represented in study abroad which includes but is not
limited to: students with high financial need, community college students,
students in under-represented fields such as the sciences and engineering,
students from diverse ethnic backgrounds, students attending minority-serving
institutions, and students with disabilities. Students must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of
application and cannot be studying
abroad in a country currently under a U.S. Department of State Travel Warning or in Cuba.
For more information, full eligibility criteria and the online application
visit: www.iie.org/gilman.
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Raritan Valley Community College
Updated 05168 by EB