Hudson County Community College (HCCC)

70 Sip Avenue, Jersey City, NJ

Hudson County Community College, located in Hudson County, New Jersey, was founded in 1974 after several commissions identified a need for a post-secondary institution in the area. The school began offering technical and career programs that were reflective of the needs of the region. In 1994 the school went through a period of reorganization with a focus on increasing student enrollment.

By 2009, the school had one of the largest enrollments in the state, primarily due to the changes in the economy, and had one of its largest graduating classes in 2011 with over a thousand students. The school has an 18-1 student to teacher ratio, allowing for a more personalized education. Additionally, HCCC is close to New York City, allowing access to a large number of galleries, museums, shows and more.

Academics

Hudson County Community College offers over thirty five programs of study that may result in certificates or associate degrees. Certificate career associate programs prepare students for entry into the workforce immediately after graduation. Certificate programs tend to be shorter than associate programs due to a lack of general education courses.

Academic programs generally fulfill the first two years of a four year education, and agreements in place with several four year institutions in the region allow for transfer upon completion. Saint Peter's College, which is local, allows graduates to transfer and continue their education at a reduced tuition.

Programs offered include:

Admissions and Financial Aid

Students interested in enrollment at Hudson County Community College must provide proof of residency in the state of New Jersey, show proof of immunization, and submit all pertinent transcripts. Once the material is submitted along with a completed application students will be asked to register for courses and pay all outstanding tuition costs.

Financial aid is available in a variety of forms, including grants, loans, scholarships or a complete payment of tuition the New Jersey STARS program. Most forms of financial aid will require students to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility and awards. Grants and loans are offered on a need basis, whereas scholarships may be earned through other means.

Clubs and Organizations

Clubs and organizations provide students with a place to meet others that share similar interests. Clubs come in many forms, some focusing on an area of study, others based on interests that extend beyond academics. Clubs and organizations allow for personal growth and socialization, forming bonds with others that may extend beyond the years spent at HCCC. If a club or organization does not exist that would represent a student's interest they are invited to form their own through the schools established process.

Clubs and organizations available at Hudson County Community College include:

Art Club
Indian Culture Club
Film Club
Psychology Club
Japanese Culture

Student Activities

HCCC provides students with an ever-changing list of extracurricular activities that are regularly posted through the student activities office. In addition to managing the various clubs and organizations, the office is also responsible for the student government and intramural sports events. Some of the activities revolve around community assistance programs that may be listed on resumes and applications. The school keeps students up to date on the planned events through the schools website and Facebook.

Publications

Hudson County Community College has two publications. The first is known as Tapestry, and is a collection of works through poems, essays, short stories, photography or art. Tapestry is published periodically and is put together by students currently enrolled at HCCC. Reflections is the school's official yearbook, published once a year, and compiles images and memories through photography and writings. Students interested in publishing or journalism are encouraged to join the staff of either publication to garner experience that may be useful in the future.

Estimated Costs & Financial Aid

The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $6,800. In order to calculate a more accurate and detailed cost of attendance check out their cost calculator here. There is also a $25 application fee for those applying to a program. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.

Tuition & Fees Information

Annual tuition estimates are:
- State Residents: $3,700-$4,400
- Out-of-State: $11,000-$13,180
Part-time students are charged:
- In-State: $120-$150 per unit
- Out-of-State: $370-$440 per unit

Financial Aid Details

The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.

	Percent of Students	Average Amount
Any Financial Aid	84%	-
Receiving Grants & Scholarships	80%	$5,444
Receiving Student Loans	7%	$4,140

Admissions, Academics, & Student Services

Student Services

To help support students, Hudson County Community College may offer services like:

Online course work available
Night and weekend classes available
Remedial courses
Career path counseling
Work study style employment
Helping students find work after graduation

Graduation & Transfer Rates

Community colleges often offer both career training programs and options for students to transfer-out to four year institutions, which is why the table below is so important, it compares HCCC against community colleges in New Jersey.

	HCCC	Hudson County	New Jersey
Graduation Rate	8.9%	-	17.2%
Transfer-out Rate	13.3%	-	17.6%

Programs Offered

The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.