The Alliance of Private Special Education Schools of North Jersey Announces 2025 Scholarship Winners
NEW JERSEY — [July 2025] — The Alliance of Private Special Education Schools of North Jersey is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 scholarships, recognizing three exceptional students with disabilities as they take bold steps toward their futures. The scholarships are a core part of The Alliance’s mission to support families and students with special needs across the region.
Each year, The Alliance awards two distinct scholarships to help students pursue post-secondary education, vocational training, or other life-enhancing opportunities:
- The Connections for the Future Scholarship, open to graduating public high school seniors with disabilities in Bergen, Passaic, Hudson, Essex, Morris, Somerset, Union, Warren, or Sussex Counties.
- The Joe Gorga Continuing Education Scholarship, available exclusively to graduates of Alliance member schools.
2025 Scholarship Recipients
This year’s Connections for the Future Scholarship recipients are:
- Brandon from Ramapo Indian Hills High School
- Matthew from West Orange High School
Brandon expressed his gratitude, saying:
“Thank you very much for awarding me the $1,500 Connections for the Future Scholarship. Receiving the award at senior awards night was one of the best moments of my high school career. I am very excited to use this scholarship to create the LLC for my company after graduation. I am honored that you chose me for this award. I will definitely be putting it to good use.”
The Joe Gorga Continuing Education Scholarship was awarded to:
- Frank from Gramon School
This scholarship honors Joseph Gorga, a founding board member of The Alliance and a lifelong advocate for students with disabilities.
“These scholarships are more than financial awards—they’re a vote of confidence in students’ futures,” said Tom Celli, President of The Alliance. “Our recipients continue to inspire us with their perseverance and vision. We’re honored to support them as they pursue meaningful and fulfilling opportunities beyond graduation.”
About the Alliance
The Alliance of Private Special Education Schools of North Jersey is a nonprofit organization comprised of more than 40 state-approved private special education schools across Northern and Central New Jersey. The Alliance connects families and educators with valuable resources, promotes best practices in special education, and provides advocacy and training to ensure that every student with a disability has access to the tools they need to thrive.
To learn more about The Alliance, find a school, or explore available services, visit specialeducationalliancenj.org.