FDU, Bergen Community College Program Offers Tuition Discount

by Rob Heinemann 

Officials at Fairleigh Dickinson University and Bergen Community College have come together to help students transition by creating a dual admission program.

The Fairleigh Dickinson University and Bergen Community College Scholars Program (BCC-FDU Scholars Program), was signed into action Wednesday, will offer some college students a steep discount on tuition.

“This is going to be terrific,” FDU President Sheldon Drucker said at a press conference. “We’ll be able to provide a very affordable education to the students of Bergen County. We’ll be offering special tuition rates, scholarships and even some housing grants.”

Students may enroll in the program by completing a BCC-FDU Scholars Program Commitment Form as entering freshmen at Bergen. All credits taken as part of an associate's degree at Bergen, up to a maximum of 64, can be considered for transfer to Fairleigh Dickinson.

“No credits lost,” said Bergen Community College President Kay Walter. “This will not only allow the students to transfer, it will allow them to move seamlessly into the programs at Fairleigh Dickinson. We will be having counselors from Fairleigh Dickinson on a regular basis.”

All students in the BCC-FDU Scholarship Program will be eligible for up to a 40 percent reduction on FDU tuition upon completion of the associate’s degree and enrollment in the B.A., B.S., or combined bachelor’s/master's program, according to school officials.

The following scholarships and grants are also available through the BCC-FDU Scholars Program:

• Students with a 3.5 or greater GPA will receive a $1,000 per year scholarship in addition to the 40 percent reduction in tuition.

“Many of the high school students in New Jersey have ended up in out-of-state schools,” said Drucker. “This will encourage them to stay in state and again, it’s really geared toward being affordable. It’s so hard to afford an education and this will enable many students to do it.”