HUDSON COUNTY — Students from around the county were awarded Hudson County Government Scholarships going into the new school year to study at Hudson County Community College – launching a program that was established by the Hudson County freeholders earlier this year.
The selection process included vetting students through the office of Student Financial Assistance to determine need, and an academic records review to determine academic eligibility. Personal essays and letters of recommendation were also considered in the selection process. A concerted effort was also made to ensure all municipalities were well represented in the final selections.
A typical full-time student can expect to pay $1,900 per semester, ($3,800 per year), in tuition and fees. For 32 students, this adds up to nearly $122,000 per year. The difference of $3,000 ($125,000 minus $122,000) will cover the additional lab fees for HCGS recipients enrolled in programs with higher fees such as nursing and culinary arts.
The students included Omar Tariq, Marco Ashamalla and Rania Elmosallamy of Bayonne; Hector Martinez and Loriebel McElrone, of Hoboken; Dezza Ardes, Gjergji Qipo, Ismal Eljacifi, Mathew Navarro, Elizabeth Mbong and Gustavo Guifarro, of Jersey City; Angie Santa Cruz, of Guttenberg; Kiana Ortiz, Tracy Galvez, Fabricio Galvez, and Luisa Car, of North Bergen; Maria Garcia, of Secaucus, Yoxandry Polanco, Medalit Sullon, Brenda Mugambe, Steven Brand Vargas, Ndeye Sall, and Jessica Chicas, of Union City; James Melgerajo, of Weehawken; and Frany Hernadez, Sergio Londono, Elsy Gabriela Cruz, Umar Abbasi, and Mildalnny Frias. – By Al Sullivan