Monmouth University and Brookdale Community College have joined forces to make it easier and more affordable for Brookdale students to complete their bachelor’s degree. On May 28, both institutions came together for a signing ceremony that tied the knot of the transfer agreement.
“It makes so much sense for the two higher education institutions in this county to have the highest possible level of partnership,” said Monmouth University President Patrick F. Leahy in “Monmouth University and Brookdale Community College Join Forces to make it Easier and More Affordable for Students to Complete Their Degrees”. “This is a major advancement in removing barriers and creating greater access to an excellent private education for the citizens of Monmouth County,” he said.
This agreement allows for Brookdale students to transfer to Monmouth University in an easier and more cost-effective way through scholarships and grants, as well as funds reserved specifically for them.
Patrick Dorsey, associate director for transfer admissions shared that Monmouth has always partnered with Brookdale so this is just giving students another pathway. Through the transition, students will have dedicated counselors who will assist them while helping maximize credit transferability. Dorsey explained that they will be physically on Brookdale’s campus at least once a month for counseling and advising while also being available virtually.
Leila Mehmedovic, who transferred to Monmouth from Brookdale prior to the transfer agreement in 2022, and has since graduated explained, “My first transition in 2022 as an Early College Academy graduate with an associate’s degree was fairly smooth, thanks to strong advising from Professor Schmidt. However, while Brookdale had told us Monmouth would accept all ECA credits, some did not transfer cleanly, leaving me to retake an additional semester’s worth of associate-level classes at Monmouth. For my second transition, when I considered returning for nursing after graduation, I found Monmouth far less accommodating. I was told that, in order to obtain a B.S.N at Monmouth, I’d have to essentially start over and complete four years at the institution; unlike other NJ schools that offer accelerated B.S.N programs.”
Moises Meza, a senior communications major, who completed his associates degree at Brookdale before transferring to Monmouth in 2024, shared that he came to Monmouth because it was local and because the university supported him financially through scholarships.
“Financial aid and advising was helpful to me. I got lucky because I met a great adviser and got help from Brookdale and Monmouth financially,” Meza added.
Financial benefits that are now available to transfer students allocate up to $500,000 in additional scholarship funds for Brookdale transfers through the Brookdale-to-Monmouth Soar Grant. The Brookdale Achievement Grant gives students who complete their associates degree prior to transferring an additional $2,000 annually.
Mehmedovic said she chose Monmouth because of the close distance and programs. “However, at the time, I also believed I’d receive significant tuition assistance through the Chapter 35 program for children of 100% disabled veterans, which ultimately solidified my decision. Except the aid turned out to be far less than what was implied, covering only about $1,400 a semester. Most of my support ended up coming from scholarships I earned academically,” she explained.
In addition to the grants for transfer students are scholarships that cover full annual tuition and fees for eligible students as well as a $5,000 per year scholarship all Brookdale transfers are evaluated for.
Dorsey shared that there are several benefits to the transfer agreement. “In terms of access for students. I think students that maybe were putting off coming to a four year makes it so that they can get here a little bit quicker, especially students who do dual enrollment in high school now. On the affordability side, there are a lot of things but there are also a lot of things on the GenEd side of things that were done too, so it removed a lot of those hurdles as well,” he explained.
