NJ LEEP College Bound Application

Apply to NJ LEEP

What is the NJ LEEP College Bound Program?

The College Bound Program is a free college access program serving students and families in the greater Newark area. We provide 7 years of programming (grades 6-12) to support students in developing the academic and social-emotional skills necessary to succeed in college and beyond.

Families also play a meaningful role in building our community by attending family meetings, community-wide events, and workshops throughout the year.

Students and families commit to:

  • A 5-week academic enrichment summer program starting in July.

  • 15 Saturday sessions, October-May.

  • 2 days of afterschool programming each week, October-May.

  • NJ LEEP high school graduates continue to receive support throughout their time at college or university as they experience a new chapter in life via our College Student Success Program.

Who can apply?

  • Current 5th grade students in the Greater Newark Area. 

    • Students in grades 6-11 may also apply, but space is limited.

  • Students who are first-generation and/or low-income.

    • We define first-generation students as those whose parents did not complete a four-year college or university degree in the United States. 

    • We define low income as an income of $90,000 or below for a family of four (for each additional household member, we add $5,000 to the threshold). 

How do I apply?

Applications are online through our website. The steps to apply are listed below:

The priority deadline is February 6, 2026

The final deadline is April 13, 2026

Part 1: Documents and Prompt Response

Before completing the application, you will need:

  • A copy of your student’s most recent report card.

    • High school students will need to provide their most recent transcript instead of a report card

  • The first page of the parent(s)’s/guardian(s)’s most recent tax return (IRS 1040 or other).

  • A student written essay

    • Students must choose to answer one of the following prompts in their essay:

      1. 1. Tell us about your future career goals and how a college education will help you achieve these goals and how attending college will change your family’s story?

      2. 2. The lessons we learn from obstacles we encounter can be important for our future success. Tell us about a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

      3. 3. Tell us about an accomplishment, event, or idea that caused you to change how you think about yourself and the world.

Please save all documents, including the prompt response, as a Google Doc, Word Doc, PDF, or picture

Part 2: Application

Once you have all of the documents, you may complete the application and upload the documents to the form. The student and at least one parent/guardian should complete the application together, as there are specific questions for both to answer.

Part 3: Teacher Recommendation

Students are required to have a recommendation form from one math, ELA, science, or social studies teacher they have this year. Please share the link to the Teacher Recommendation Form to the teacher of your choice: https://forms.gle/mKhcuK7u8mXo9Y3j8

Part 4: Interview

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the application process, please contact the recruitment coordinator, Ms. Silvana Romero, at recruiting@njleep.org or (973) 856-9950.

Apply to NJ LEEP

Thank you for your interest in NJ LEEP. We look forward to getting to know you and your family!