Project Second Chance

Atlantic Cape Community College offers eligible students an opportunity to earn the college credits required to apply for a state diploma through a program titled Project Second Chance.

Students who are accepted to the Project Second Chance Program, complete the required 30 college credits, and pass the High School Proficiency Test (HSPT) may apply to the State for their high school diploma (GED).

What is a State Issued High School Diploma?

The New Jersey Department of Education through the Division of Adult Education offers adults who did not complete high school an opportunity to earn a state-issued high school diploma (GED).

Program Benefits:

Girls outside

The GED test is the quickest way for prepared students to obtain a state-issued diploma. For students who are not prepared to take the GED test and wish to earn up to one year of college credits while working toward a state diploma, Atlantic Cape’s Project Second Chance Program is an attractive option.

Students are accepted to the college and can participate in campus life while completing credits toward their state-issued high school diploma. Other benefits of the program include:

  • Financial aid for qualified recipients
  • Attending regular college classes
  • Obtaining one year of college credits
  • Qualifying for a state-issued high school diploma (GED)
  • Opportunity to continue and gain a two-year college degree

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants are non-high school graduates who are at least 18 years of age.

How to Apply:

Applicants must first be admitted to Atlantic Cape Community College by submitting an Admissions application. After acceptance to Atlantic Cape the student must take the college’s Placement Test to determine preparedness for college-level courses.

Applicants who score below college-level English and mathematics on the college’s Placement Test must enroll and complete any recommended developmental courses prior to entering the Project Second Chance Program. Applicants whose test scores place them in college-level English and mathematics may directly enter the program.

Eligible applicants---those who have completed or are not required to enroll in developmental courses---may obtain an application to Project Second Chance from the Career and Academic Planning Center, “J” building, on the college’s Mays Landing campus, or call 609-343-5621, (609) 625-1111 or 609-463-4774, ext. 5621.

Financial Aid:

Applicants who do not have a high school diploma or GED may not be eligible for financial aid unless they can demonstrate their academic ability to benefit from being enrolled in college.

Applicants in this category may qualify for financial aid by scoring the recommended test level on placement tests administered by the college. Financial aid applicants must meet other eligibility requirements.

The State Requires:

The state requires the completion of 30 general education college-level credits before a student can apply for a state-issued diploma. Students must complete the following courses:

  3 credits in English
  3 credits in humanities
  3 credits in mathematics
  3 credits in social science
  3 credits in lab science
  15 credits in chosen major (college level)
Total: 30 college level credits

Steps to Applying for a State Issued Diploma:

  • A student who has successfully completed the 30 college credit requirements must schedule the High School Proficiency Test (HSPT) with a New Jersey high school.
  • After successfully passing the HSPT, send the following documents to the State of New Jersey, Department of Education:
    • A completed application for a state-issued diploma
    • $5 money order or certified check, made payable to the "Commissioner of Education"
    • An official Atlantic Cape transcript
    • A copy of HSPT scores

Forms to apply for a state-issued diploma may be obtained from the Career and Academic Planning Centers in “J” building, Mays Landing campus or the Cape May County campus.