CFNJ Scholarship FAQs

Who is eligible to apply?

Each scholarship fund has specific eligibility criteria that has been defined by the donor. Please read through the specific scholarship criteria to determine your eligibility.

Submit only one application. CFNJ staff will determine if you’re eligible for other scholarships based on the information provided in your application.

The majority of our scholarships require applicants to be college-bound, graduating seniors from New Jersey high schools. There are a few that do not, so carefully read the eligibility criteria before applying.

Unless noted otherwise in the scholarship description and criteria statement, applicants can attend  accredited schools of their choice within the United States.

Our online scholarship portal opens at the end of January of each year. Your application, recommendations, transcripts, and other supporting documents must be submitted electronically through the online scholarship portal on or before April 4.

There is no charge to apply.

No, these scholarships are intended to provide partial support. In addition to applying for scholarships through CFNJ, we recommend that you consider other financial aid resources such as federal grants, loans, work study awards, and other scholarships. A complete financial package can be created by your college’s financial aid office and may include all or some of these types of financial aid. 

It’s also advisable to speak with representatives from the colleges you’re considering to learn about their award displacement policy, also known as an Outside Scholarship Policy, before you accept their offer to attend. This information can also be found on the college website. Additional information about award displacement is included in the Financial Aid tab in the menu on the Scholarships page.  

CFNJ scholarships awards vary. On average, awards range from $500 to $2,500. However, the award could be larger based on the number of qualified applicants and the parameters set by donors who have established the funds. 

Yes, you may be eligible and selected as a recipient for more than one scholarship. CFNJ staff reviews all applications to determine if students may be eligible for other scholarships based on your information.

No, scholarships do not need to be repaid. Please see the Financial Aid tab in the menu on the Scholarships page for definitions of scholarships, grants, and loans.

Scholarship award checks are made payable to the recipient’s institution and mailed before the start of the fall semester. If the recipient experiences a scholarship displacement issue as a result of our outside scholarship award, we encourage recipients to contact our Scholarship Office at 973.267.5533 to discuss alternate payment methods.

In most cases, scholarship awards can be used for tuition, room and board on campus, and mandatory educational fees. In some cases, however, the donor who has established the fund may restrict the award to tuition and mandatory fees only. Please refer to the criteria for each opportunity. The purpose of the CFNJ scholarship is to augment any federal, state, or institutional grant or scholarship for which the student is eligible and receives.

A volunteer selection committee, composed of board members and community leaders, is appointed by our Board of Trustees to review each application and collectively select the recipients based on the criteria established by donors.

The committee will prioritize reviewing each applicant using the specific criteria for the fund. Committee members will also consider the applicant’s academic records, test scores, extracurricular activities, work experience, community involvement, and recommendations about their leadership and character. The selection process shall balance merit and financial need. Depending on the scholarship criteria, there may be an emphasis on financial need.  

Scholarship recipients must attend college on a full-time basis in the fall of the year in which the scholarships are awarded and continue in college that entire academic year, barring illness or an emergency. In a few instances, enrollment may be part time as directed by the criteria set by the donors for their fund.

No. Your award letter will identify if your scholarship is a lump sum.  

Recipients are responsible for notifying CFNJ of their enrollment each year and/or semester depending upon the terms of the award. At the conclusion of the student’s spring semester, the recipient is responsible for submitting the following information via the online portal:

  • A copy of their transcript from the past year (fall and spring semesters) 
  • Proof of continued enrollment as a student in good academic standing
  • A narrative of the recipient’s college experiences from the past year, including academic and extracurricular activities
  • A copy of the student’s tuition invoice reflecting that all federal, state, and local financial aid credits have been applied to the student’s account

Recipients will be notified by no later than mid-June.

Every deferment application requires supporting documentation for verification purposes. Refer to the list below and include the necessary documentation with your CFNJ Scholarship Deferment/ Medical-Military Leave of Absence application. All deferral applications must be submitted by July 15. Contact us at 973.267.5533 to receive a deferment request application.

  • Medical Leave
    Students requesting a scholarship deferment for medical reasons must include a letter from a medical professional explaining why they cannot attend college.
  • Military Service
    Students requesting a scholarship deferment for military service can provide either their official military orders or a letter from their military leader.