What is the ROADS Scholarship Program at Ramapo?

ROADS (Ramapo Opportunities for Advanced Degrees in STEM) scholarships are designed to support talented students with financial need as they pursue degrees in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Mathematics, or Bioinformatics.

If selected, you’ll receive assistance to cover your unmet financial need through all four years of your undergraduate studies – and, if you choose, through your fifth year in one of Ramapo’s 4+1 MS programs. This assistance covers tuition, fees, room and board, and other approved expenses (textbooks, etc.).

As a ROADS Scholar, you’ll take part in a unique First-Year Seminar and the ROADS Research Guide (RRG) courses, introducing you to research early and helping you grow as a leader in STEM.

• The First-Year Seminar section (ROADS Research Guide FYS – RRG FYS) for scholarship recipients focuses on early education in scientific research with campus partners.
• 1-credit cohorted courses (RRG 101, 102, and 103) in sophomore through senior years, to develop a student’s researcher identity and considering career pathways of alumni and industry partners.

Along the way, you’ll get one-on-one faculty mentoring, career planning support, and opportunities to participate in research, all of which are designed to prepare you for graduate study or a high-demand STEM career.

Important: Fall 2025

This grant was awarded after the start of the Fall 2025 semester, however if you are CURRENTLY a sophomore in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Mathematics, or Bioinformatics – you can apply for assistance/scholarship FOR THIS CURRENT SEMESTER and beyond. We will work with recipients to determine remaining unmet needs and how assistance can be dispersed – even if you’ve already paid for your Fall 2025 tuition/expenses. See the bottom of this page for application details.

Cohorts

An important part of your journey as a student is the relationships you build with your fellow students. ROADS follows a cohort model, we admit students in batches and have designed course sequences (First Year Seminar, ROADS Research Guide, etc.) such that you share coursework with the students within your cohort across your time at Ramapo.

Sophomores Cohorts (and transfer students)

If you are already here at Ramapo, or you are considering transferring to Ramapo, then you may qualify for Cohort A or B. You need to have completed (or be currently enrolled in) between 24 and 48 credits at time of application – i.e. you must be a sophomore.

New First-Time Students (Freshman)

If you are considering applying to Ramapo as a first-time student, then you will be Cohort C or D, depending on whether you are entering Ramapo – Fall 2026 (C) or Fall 2027 (D). You will be considered for the scholarship based on your general Ramapo College admissions application, and we will follow up with finalists for further application materials and an interview. No additional application materials are necessary to be considered for the scholarship at the time you apply to Ramapo College.

Eligibility

Who is eligible to apply?

All ROADS recipients must meet the following criteria to maintain their award:

1. Declared as a major in a ROADS discipline at Ramapo College of New Jersey:
   • Computer Science
   • Data Science
   • Mathematics
   • Bioinformatics
   • Cybersecurity
2. Demonstrate academic talent:
   • Sophomore entrants (Cohort A and B) – minimum 2.5 GPA as a matriculated Ramapo College student or from previous institution (if transferring to Ramapo College)
   • First-Time Freshman entrants (Cohort C and D) – minimum high school GPA of 3.0
   • Maintenance of a minimum of 2.5 GPA while matriculated at RCNJ at all times
3. Demonstrate unmet financial need as defined below, determined by completion of FAFSA (required).
4. Be citizens of the US, nationals of the US (as defined in section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act), aliens admitted as refugees under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, or aliens lawfully admitted to the US for permanent residence.

Scholarship maintenance

Once a student is awarded a scholarship, it is guaranteed through their remaining years of undergraduate studies, and (if they choose) their fifth year in pursuit of a graduate degree – provided the following requirements are met:

1. Student continues to be declared as an undergraduate major in Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Bioinformatics, or Cybersecurity or is a graduate student in MS Computer Science, MS Data Science, or MS Applied Mathematics.
2. Student has maintained a 2.5 GPA while at Ramapo College
3. Student has remained enrolled as a full-time student in a ROADS major with a minimum of 12 credits in each fall and spring semester OR has enrolled in a ROADS MS degree after completing the undergraduate portion of their 4+1. Graduate students will receive scholarships for their graduate studies covering up to 21 credits within one calendar year of graduating with their BS degree. They must also continue to demonstrate academic talent, unmet financial need, and citizenship status.

Financial Eligibility

RCNJ defines financial need as Pell eligibility using the Student Aid Index (SAI) (as demonstrated by the FAFSA) and considers unmet financial need for undergraduate students as the cost of attendance (COA) less the SAI and any other grants and scholarships (excluding student loans and federal work study).

1. Each undergraduate ROADS student will be awarded up to the full amount of their unmet financial need or $15,000, whichever is less, for the academic year.
2. Each graduate (enrolled in MSCS, MSDS, or MSAM) ROADS student will be awarded up to the full amount of their unmet financial need or $20,000, whichever is less, for the academic year.

Assistance may include expenses for all the following:

• Tuition and fees
• Room and Board
• Books and Supplies

Cohort A: How to Apply

We are accepting applications for Cohort A. You must be a current sophomore to apply, and recipient awards will begin with financial assistance this semester. To apply, download the application and follow the instructions within the PDF. The PDF also contains instruction for submitting your application.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION

• All applications require a 1 page (single spaced, no less than 10pt font, Times New Roman) personal statement describing interest in ROADS disciplines, their thoughts about entering the STEM workforce, and participating in research.
• Contact information for one academic reference will be requested. References will be asked to address the applicant’s potential for success in a ROADS discipline, such as academic aptitude, passion for STEM major, ability to work independently and with others, persistence, critical thinking and problem solving, and oral communications.
• Transcripts from the student’s most recent institution will be required. For current Ramapo College students, no action is needed on the applicant’s part, your transcript will automatically be available to the selection committee.
• An (virtual) interview with the Selection Committee will be required for finalists.