Scholarship Funds

Beyond a shared commitment to educational opportunity, families establish scholarship funds with a wide range of goals and purposes in mind. They may offer traditional scholarships or customize fund awards for alternative scholarships.

The Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ) administers 140 scholarship funds benefiting college-bound graduating high school seniors, and in a few cases, students currently enrolled in undergraduate studies. Our scholarship opportunities run the gamut, from those exclusive to a local high school or geographic region to those supporting specific majors or career pursuits.

Last year, CFNJ awarded over $1.5 million in scholarship assistance to 276 scholars. In our scholarship review process, scholars are evaluated on academic performance; extracurricular activities; community involvement; work (paid or unpaid); and a statement of the applicant’s personal aspirations, educational goals, and demonstrated unmet financial need.

Download Fact Sheet |  List of Scholarship Funds | Renew | Student Profiles | 2025 Winners

Information for applicants

Students seeking scholarship assistance can now fill out one application, click submit, and then review the scholarship opportunities for which they may qualify based on the answers provided.

It is important to note that criteria for each of our scholarship opportunities varies, and we strongly encourage guidance counselors, program directors and students to familiarize themselves with opportunity-specific criteria to determine if students might be a good fit.

We also suggest that applicants take a few moments to familiarize themselves with the online application process prior to beginning the application. A short video and lists of our current scholarship funds can be viewed below:

The application period for scholarships is currently closed.

Launch of the 2025–26 FAFSA® Form

Students can also access the 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form on the Department of Education’s website.

For questions, please contact Colleen Smith, Scholarship Program Officer, at csmith@cfnj.org. For updates and information, follow us on Instagram at @cfnjscholarships.