Vernon, SCCC students may apply for scholarships
VERNON. The John Cocula Memorial Scholarship Fund is accepting applications from Vernon and Garfield high school students as well as from Sussex County Community College students.
Vernon /
| 24 Jan 2025 | 10:35
The John Cocula Memorial Scholarship Fund is accepting applications from Vernon and Garfield high school students who will graduate in 2025 and attend higher education as well as from Sussex County Community College students for the 2025-26 school year.
Applications may be obtained on the schools’ website or guidance offices. They must be returned by March 15.
The John Cocula Scholarship was established to honor the legacy of John Cocula, a former teacher and coach in the Garfield School System and longtime resident of Vernon.
The award provides a $1,500 scholarship for each student named to an accredited school for higher education and is funded through private donors and an annual golf outing.
“John would be proud to see these students be able to go on to a higher education program,” said Andrea Cocula, founding member of the John Cocula Memorial Scholarship Fund and John’s widow.
“Together with the support of so many outstanding donors and members of the community, we will continue to honor John’s vision of helping the exceptional student to further their dreams.”
Austin Carew, chairman of the board of the John Cocula Memorial Scholarship Fund, said, “It is an honor to team up and work with all the members of the committee to support and encourage these talented students.”
Eligible high school students must attend Garfield or Vernon and matriculate to an accredited higher education program. There are limited scholarships for Sussex County Community College students.
Selection criteria include academic performance and may include participation in sports on some level. Criteria differ for each school.
Two letters of recommendation and a brief personal essay of 200 words or more are required.
The board and selection committee have 30 members who are business and community leaders from northern New Jersey.
So far, the fund has awarded more than $525,000 in scholarships to qualified students.
The John Cocula Memorial Golf Outing will be June 26 at Black Bear Golf Club Resort in Franklin. Corporate sponsors are welcome.