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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549
                          -----------------------------

                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT

                          -----------------------------
                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

        Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): April 17, 2002

                           OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          Delaware                            0-27428            22-3412577
          --------                            -------            ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of     (Commission File No.)       (IRS Employer
 incorporation or organization)                              Identification No.)

                 975 HOOPER AVENUE, TOMS RIVER, NEW JERSEY 08754
                 -----------------------------------------------
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

                                  (732)240-4500
                                  -------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                 Not Applicable
                                 --------------
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)




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ITEMS 1 THROUGH 4, 6, 8 AND 9.  NOT APPLICABLE

ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.

     On April 17, 2002,  the Board of Directors of  OceanFirst  Financial  Corp.
(the  "Company")  declared a 50% stock  dividend on its common  stock having the
effect of a three-for-two stock split. Shareholders of record as of the close of
business  on May 3, 2002 will  receive  one share of common  stock for every two
shares  they own on that date.  The new shares  will be  distributed  on May 17,
2002. A copy of the news  release  announcing  such action is filed  herewith as
Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(c)      Exhibits.

         The following Exhibits are furnished as part of this report:

         99.1         Press release dated April 17, 2002.





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                                   SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                       OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP.


                                       /s/ John R. Garbarino
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       John R. Garbarino
                                       Chairman of the Board,
                                       President, Chief Executive Officer
                                         and Director

Dated: April 17, 2002





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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit Number       Description
--------------       -----------

    99.1             Press Release dated April 17, 2002.








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