Jump Start Program

You can be a college student during your junior and senior years in high school by attending classes just three hours per week at OCC's Main Campus in Toms River, OCC's Southern Education Center in Manahawkin, or on site at Central Regional High School!

Through the Jump Start Program, high school students can get a "jump" on their college education. Any junior or senior who wishes to enroll as a part-time college student at OCC may do so with the permission of their Guidance Counselor or Principal. If you take only one course per semester in both your junior and senior years, you will have completed an entire semester of college prior to graduating high school!

Guidelines for Paticipating in the Jump Start Program

  1. You will need a recommendation from your Guidance Counselor or Principal

  2. You must satisfy course prerequisites and have earned an overall above average GPA in high school, or demonstrated a high potential to succeed in special areas related to college courses

  3. High school students have the advantage of receiving a Board of Trustees scholarship, with reduced tuition, plus appropriate college fees

  4. Jump Start students may attend part-time only (a maximum of two classes per semester)

Applying for Admission to Ocean County College

  1. Meet with your high school Guidance Counselor. Discuss whether or not this program is a good fit for you, as well as which class you should take.

  2. Fill out OCC's special green High School Application form. This must be completed each semester in which you enroll as a Jump Start student.

  3. Have the application signed by your Principal or Guidance Counselor, as well as your parent/guardian (required even if you are 18 years old).

  4. Jump Start students wishing to take courses in Mathematics or English must provide appropriate test scores:

    • Registration in a first year math course requires an SAT score of 530 or higher on the Math portion of the test, an ACT math score of at least 22, or a PSAT score of 53 or higher.

    • Registration in a first year English course requires an SAT score of 540 or higher on the Critical Reading portion of the test, an ACT English/Writing score of at least 23, or a PSAT score of 54 or higher.

    • HSPA scores can also fulfill this requirement, requiring a 250 or higher in Math and a 235 or higher in Language Arts Literacy. You will need to ask the Guidance department to provide the college with a copy of any of the above qualifying test scores.

    • Developmental courses cannot be taken in the Jump Start program. Registration in upper level Math courses will require the student to take the "College Level Math Test" in addition to providing SAT or ACT scores, regardless of how high the SAT or ACT score is.

  5. Register with the special application in hand at OCCs Registration & Records Office. Call (732) 255-0304 if you have any questions.

Helpful Hints

  • While you are attending Ocean County College, you are considered a college student with all the rights and responsibilities that it entails. As we do with all students, the college will protect your privacy by sharing information with only you. Release of any information to others (except your high school) will be only with your express written consent.

  • As a college student, you will have the opportunity to interact with faculty both before and after class. You must take the initiative to speak to the faculty members and arrange a mutually convenient time to meet. Contact information for your instructor is also available on the course syllabus you will receive on the first day of class.

  • Distance learning courses are not recommended for high school students (especially for your first class or a class taken during your junior year of high school). Students must obtain approval from their Guidance Counselor and submit it with their Jump Start application at the Registration & Records office to be able to register for a distance learning course. There is no reduced tuition for Jump Start students registered in distance learning courses.

  • Books and materials should be purchased at the College Bookstore on the OCC campus or online from the Bookstore at https://ocean.bncollege.com/shop/ocean/home.

  • As a general rule, plan to study two hours for every one hour of class. A class that meets three hours a week will require six hours of study time.

  • Free tutoring is available through the Math and English labs on campus. Students may contact the area dean for tutoring in other subject areas.

  • It is important to understand that all grades earned in the Jump Start Program will be reflected on your permanent transcript and will follow you throughout your academic career. If you are struggling in a course, we encourage you to speak to your professor regarding your progress. Should you decide to withdraw from a course, it is your responsibility to complete an Add/Drop form (available in the Registration & Records office).

    • Every semester has a withdrawal deadline, so be sure to check for this date.

  • The Advising Center on the main campus is available for academic advisement. The following classes are recommended as readily transferrable to two- and four-year colleges and universities:

    • COMM 154 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking

    • HIST 171 - Western Civilization I

    • HIST 172 - Western Civilization II

    • PSYC 172 - General Psychology

    • SOCI 181 - Introduction to Sociology

    • CSIT 110 - Computer Literacy

  • When transferring, students should always research the school to which they will be transferring for specific information. Course descriptions can be found here: https://catalog.ocean.edu/