杏吧原创

August 4, 2026

By Lauren Ferguson

Isha Sanchez ’27 was the first in her family to earn her high school diploma and the first to earn her associate鈥檚 degree.

But after graduating from Passaic County Community College, the youngest of eight siblings lasted just one semester at a large university. 鈥淭he giant lecture halls 鈥� I wasn鈥檛 learning that way. It wouldn鈥檛 stick for me,鈥� said Sanchez, of Clifton, NJ.

Sanchez left school, and for seven years put off completing her bachelor鈥檚 degree. She started working in financial aid for a vocational school, helping others pursue their education and career dreams. 鈥淔or the longest time,鈥� she told herself she鈥檇 鈥渆ventually鈥� go back to college, she said.

That time finally came when she learned about the Garden State Guarantee grant. The financial aid program provides up to four semesters of free tuition at four-year public institutions in New Jersey for eligible state residents enrolled in their third or fourth year of study. Available to students whose families make up to $65,000, the grant covers the cost of tuition and fees that are not already covered by federal and state financial aid or other scholarships.

鈥淔or me, it felt like a sign 鈥� a light bulb kind of went off in my head, and I was like, 鈥榠t’s now or never,鈥欌�� she said.

With the grant in mind, Sanchez did her research, and came upon the Degree Completion Program (DCP) at Ramapo College of New Jersey. 鈥淭hey make it flexible for people that have to work full time,鈥� Sanchez said.

The program offers a one-stop shop for support where returning adult students can go with questions about everything from financial aid to course selection, as well as structured pathways for scholars to finish their undergraduate degrees through night and online courses that fit their schedules.

鈥淲e arrange it so they are hybrid classes. They come to campus one night a week,鈥� said DCP Director Patricia Laprey. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 tell you the number of students who say to me, 鈥業 can do one night a week. I can make that drive. I can get a babysitter, I can tell my boss I have to leave at 5 that day.鈥�

In 2025, Sanchez became one of those students. She enrolled in Ramapo鈥檚 DCP to pursue a contemporary arts major with a concentration in professional communication and a business analytics minor. And she found a place to thrive in Ramapo鈥檚 tight-knit community, with small class sizes and mentoring professors.

The first-generation college student said with the support she has received as a Roadrunner, she has been able to obtain a 3.5 GPA, while still working full time. Sanchez was also awarded a special scholarship from the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Greater Wayne Area branch for women over 25 aspiring to achieve their educational goals.

鈥淚鈥檓 so excited that I鈥檝e been able to get this far, and the scholarship has really been a way to prove to myself that I can do this,鈥� she said.

With her new found confidence, Sanchez has another goal on the horizon. After being the first in her family to obtain her high school diploma, associate鈥檚 degree and now pursue her college degree, she aims to obtain her MBA from Ramapo鈥檚 Anisfield School of Business. 鈥淚 won鈥檛 stop when I finish my bachelor鈥檚 degree,鈥� she said.

Ramapo College is committed to making access to higher education easier for adult learners. And that commitment has yielded life-changing results. Since 2014, 370 adults who made the bold move to return to college have earned their degrees through the DCP.

鈥淲e really try to provide a pathway that tells them they are welcome,鈥� DCP Director Laprey said of returning adult students.

The College has also been awarded grants from the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Education (OSHE) to participate in the statewide Some College, No Degree initiative. The program provides personalized support to help adults re-enroll and earn their undergraduate degrees.

For more information on Ramapo鈥檚 Degree Completion Program, visit the Degree Completion Program webpage.