Global Student Resources

At Bergen Community College, we celebrate the diversity of our students and are committed to providing the support needed to help all students thrive–regardless of immigration status. Our Global Student Resources connect international students, immigrants, Dreamers, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients with essential services to navigate college life, from academic advising to financial aid opportunities.

Bergen recognizes that aspiring citizens enrich our college community and may face unique challenges navigating college policies, processes, and academic requirements.

As a comprehensive community college, we are committed to student success, innovation, and inclusivity. Whether you need guidance on student privacy, language support, or access to other support systems on campus, we’re here to help. Bergen is more than a college–it’s a community where every student has the opportunity to succeed and turn their dreams into reality.

Bergen Community College’s Commitment to Student Privacy

We value your privacy and will keep all your information private. Any personal or sensitive information you share will not be released.

Bergen WILL… Bergen WILL NOT…
Protect your privacy under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), which safeguards student records. Release any student’s personal information (including immigration status) to law enforcement, immigration agencies, or any external entity without a judicially issued warrant or subpoena.
Ensure that classrooms and campus spaces remain protected areas, where unauthorized individuals are not permitted to enter without prior approval from College administration. Allow law enforcement, ICE, or immigration officials to enter classrooms or protected student spaces without following proper legal procedures.
Direct all legal inquiries regarding student information to the Office of the Registrar and College General Counsel for review before taking any action. Ask students about their immigration status during enrollment, advising, or any other academic process. Your status does not affect your ability to be a part of Bergen.
Support students who may be struggling by offering 24/7 counseling services through the Health, Wellness, and Personal Counseling Center. Disclose a student’s immigration status to anyone inside or outside the College without the student’s explicit consent.
Refer students to trusted campus resources for academic, legal, and personal support. Participate in any voluntary cooperation with immigration enforcement beyond what is legally required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I attend Bergen?
Yes! Bergen Community College welcomes all students, regardless of immigration status. To complete our application, you only need a valid address, phone number, and email address—we do not require a Social Security number or additional paperwork to apply.

Additionally, under New Jersey law (Statute P.L. 2013, c.170), undocumented students who meet certain criteria may qualify for in-state tuition rates at all public colleges and universities in New Jersey. This was made possible by the New Jersey Dream Act (Senate Bill 2479), signed into law on December 20, 2013.

For more information and resources available to New Jersey Dreamers, please visit HESAA’s Dreamers Resource page or contact our admissions team for assistance. We are here to support you!

Can I receive financial aid?
Dreamers and undocumented students who meet the criteria below may be eligible to receive state financial aid, including the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG), by completing the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application.

Eligibility Criteria:
✔ Attended a New Jersey high school for three or more years
✔ Graduated from a New Jersey high school or earned a GED/equivalent diploma in the state
✔ Enrolled at a New Jersey public college or university on or after the fall 2013 semester

For step-by-step guidance on applying for New Jersey State Financial Aid, visit Bergen’s Financial Aid Office on campus for assistance.

Does the Bergen Community College Foundation have scholarships available?
The Bergen Community College Foundation has scholarships available to all students. Learn how to apply and upcoming deadline dates or speak to a Financial Aid representative for more information.

What outside scholarships are available?
The following are just some of the external scholarship opportunities that are available to non-citizen students:

How can I get emergency funding or support?
The Bergen Cares Center offers food, clothing, emergency funds consideration request assistance (bus pass, books, technology), and rental/utility assistance to students, staff, and faculty.

How can I improve my English?
Bergen offers credit and non-credit English as a Second Language (ESL) courses.

What support systems are available on campus?
Bergen Community College offers a comprehensive array of support services to ensure student success and well-being:

Academic Support:

  • Tutoring Services: Assistance in subjects like writing, math, science, and English language is available at the Cerullo Learning Assistance Center (Paramus Campus) and the Tutoring Center at the Meadowlands (Lyndhurst Campus).
  • Academic Advising: Guidance on course selection, major planning, and educational goals is provided to help students navigate their academic journey.

Career and Transfer Services:

  • Career Counseling: Support for career planning, including resume development, interview skills, and job search strategies.
  • Transfer Assistance: Information on transferring credits and articulation agreements with four-year institutions.

Health and Wellness:

  • Personal Counseling: Confidential counseling services to support mental health and personal development.
  • Health Services: Access to medical care and wellness resources to promote overall well-being.

Student Life and Activities:

  • Campus Life: Opportunities to engage in student organizations, leadership programs, and cultural events to enrich the collegiate experience.

Additional Support Services:

  • Bergen Cares Center: Provides food, clothing, emergency funds, and assistance with essentials like transportation and textbooks.
  • Office of Multicultural Services and Activities: Promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion through educational programs and support for underrepresented groups.

These are just a few of our services designed to create a supportive and inclusive environment, helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.

Are there State Agencies to support me?

What Federal and other resources are available to support me?

FEDERAL AGENCY RESOURCES

EXTERNAL RESOURCES

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!

How do I support a family member if they are detained by Immigration and Customs?

The ICE detainee locator can help people determine whether their family member has been detained and where the family member is being held. In using the ICE detainee locator, it is helpful to know the family member’s date of birth and ‘A-Number’ (Alien Registration Number), if there is one. Please Note: the ICE detainee locator is intended only for locating individuals who are already detained. If a student has general questions about his or her immigration status, the student should be referred to a list of legal service providers.

How can I get legal assistance?

Immigration lawyers in private practice, accredited representatives (who assist immigrants in immigration proceedings), or legal aid organizations may be able to provide legal assistance to secure the release of a student or a student’s family member or to help arrange for the student to visit the family member.

Students should beware of hiring a “notario” or an “immigration consultant” if they seek advice and assistance regarding their immigration status. Notarios and immigration consultants are not attorneys or experts in immigration. They cannot—and should not—provide legal advice, prepare immigration forms, or represent the student in legal proceedings.

State Resources

Additional Resources from External Sources:

Consulate or Embassy

The consulate or embassy of the student’s country of origin may be able to offer additional information and assistance.