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New Jersey Financial Aid
The New Jersey Financial Aid Management System (NJFAMS) is now available for all New Jersey students who apply for NJ State aid for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Each student will need to log in and set up an NJFAMS account. NJFAMS is a user-friendly, real-time system.
To get started, visit hesaa.org
The steps to applying for financial aid from the State of New Jersey are:
• Complete the FAFSA.
• Establish an NJFAMS account.
• Answer the NJ state-specific questions.
For additional information on loan programs, the NJCLASS Loan, or other financial aid programs available to New Jersey students, including grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and loan forgiveness programs, contact:
New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA)
4 Quakerbridge Plaza
PO Box 540
Trenton, NJ 08625
800-792-8670; (609) 584-4480
Unless otherwise noted, information for all programs are available from the high school guidance counselor or HESAA.
Support Students During COVID-19
To support students and families as they deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their academic pursuits and their financial security, the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) has implemented new State laws and adjusted administrative policies for HESAA’s college financial aid grants and scholarships.
New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship (NJ STARS)
Eligibility – Instead of being required to earn a GPA of 3.0 by the start of the third semester of enrollment, first-year NJ STARS students who were enrolled in a county college for Academic Year 2019-20 can remain eligible for the NJ STARS scholarship as long as they achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 by the start of their fourth semester of enrollment.
Students must apply for all other federal and state financial aid available to them.
Awards – tuition for full-time enrollment (minimum 12 credits) and fees at one of New Jersey’s county colleges. NJ STARS will cover the remaining cost of tuition and approved fees after all other financial aid money has been awarded. Students must be enrolled in an associate degree program at a New Jersey county college and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA to be eligible for renewal.
NJ STARS recipients who earn an associate degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, meet income and all other program eligibility requirements may be eligible to receive an NJ STARS II award of up to $2,500 per year to transfer to a New Jersey four-year public or private college or university to earn a baccalaureate degree.
Governor’s Urban Scholarship Program
Eligibility – students from the state’s designated high-need communities: Asbury Park, The City of Camden, East Orange, Irvington, Jersey City, Lakewood, Millville, Newark, New Brunswick, Paterson, Plainfield, Roselle, Trenton and Vineland who rank within the top 5 percent of their class and have at least a 3.0 GPA at the end of their senior year of high school. Recipients must be legal residents of New Jersey and enroll at a New Jersey college or university as a full-time undergraduate. Financial need is not a factor in determining eligibility.
Awards – After classes start, HESAA will send half of your total annual award to your college/university.
Governor’s Industry Vocation Scholarship (NJ-GIVS)
Eligibility – a female or minority group member with an annual household income below $60,000 who enrolls in an eligible certificate or degree program in a construction-related field at one of New Jersey’s 19 county colleges.
Awards – up to $2,000 per year.
NJBEST Scholarship
Eligibility – a beneficiary of a NJBEST 529 College Savings Plan opened for at least four years with total contributions equal to at least $1,200 and be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible New Jersey Higher Educational Institution.
Awards – minimum of $500, maximum of $1,500.
New Jersey World Trade Center Scholarship
Eligibility – dependent children and surviving spouses of New Jersey residents who were killed in the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001, or who died as a result of injuries received in the attacks, or who are missing and officially presumed dead as a direct result of the attacks.
Awards – The scholarship amount cannot exceed the actual tuition, fees, room and board charged. Scholarships can be applied for both in-state and out-of-state institutions.
Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Scholarships(LEOMS)
Eligibility – dependent children of New Jersey law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty -- including those who lose their lives to COVID-19 that they contracted while serving the public -- who are enrolled in full-time undergraduate study at an approved New Jersey institution of higher education.
Awards – up to the cost of attendance, less other scholarships, grants, benefits and other assistance awarded under HESAA statute.
Survivor Tuition Benefits Program (STB)
Eligibility – New Jersey residents who attend a New Jersey postsecondary institution at least half-time as an undergraduate and are dependents of emergency service personnel, firefighters, or law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty.
Awards – free tuition at any public institution of higher education in New Jersey. Recipients may also attend any approved independent institution in the State.
Tuition Aid Grants (TAG) and Part-Time Tuition Aid Grant
Eligibility – legal residents who demonstrate financial need and intend to enroll as a full-time student in a New Jersey college, university or postsecondary institution. Must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or renewal application.
Awards – depending on the type of institution, the current maximum awards are:
NJ County Colleges – $2,786
NJ State Colleges and Universities – $7,380
NJ Independent Colleges and Universities – $12,938
Rowan – $8,404
Rutgers – $9,848
NJIT – $11,428
Montclair – $7,474
NJ Proprietary Degree-Granting (includes approved programs at Berkeley, DeVry, Eastwick, and Eastern International College – $12,938.
Funding is also available for legal residents who demonstrate financial need and who enroll for 6–11 credits per term in an approved degree or certificate program at a New Jersey county college. Awards vary based upon financial need, cost of attendance and available funding.
Educational Opportunity Fund Grants (EOF)
Eligibility – legal residents who are economically and educationally disadvantaged and who attend or plan to attend a college or university in the state of New Jersey.
Awards – up to $2,600 depending on enrollment status, college costs and financial need.
For additional information, contact the college financial aid officer, campus EOF Director, or HESAA.
New Jersey Foster Care Scholars
Eligibility – Current high school seniors who are, or were in foster care, were adopted or have entered Kinship Legal Guardianship through the New Jersey Division of Child Protection & Permanency (CP&P formerly DYFS) may also apply for a variety of competitive private scholarships funded and administered by embrella Embracing & Empowering Families.
For additional information contact:
1-800-222-0047
New Jersey Air National Guard Tuition Program
Members of the New Jersey Air National Guard are eligible for free tuition for up to 16 credits per semester at any New Jersey public college or university. Benefits are also available for graduate study.
For additional information contact:
Education Services Office
Joint Force Headquarters New Jersey
2nd Floor, B 204
BLDG 3650
Saylors Pond Road
Fort Dix, New Jersey 08640
Fax # 609-562-0935
609-562-0906
The Community College Opportunity Grant
New Jersey students enrolled in any one of the State’s 18 county colleges may be eligible for tuition-free college -- including online fees charged to county college students. Students enrolled in at least 6 credits for Fall 2020 and/or Spring 2021 and who have an adjusted gross income of $0-$65,000 will be considered for this state grant.
There is no separate application. If you already completed the FAFSA® or the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application for NJ Dreamers, you are automatically being
considered for this state aid.
NJCLASS Undergraduate Loan
NJCLASS is a State of New Jersey supplemental student loan program providing students with an additional affordable source of funds for meeting college expenses not already covered by other forms of student aid.
NJCLASS provides fixed-rate loans for undergraduate students. The fixed-rate loan has a 3% origination fee deducted from the loan proceeds. There are several repayment options,
subject to availability. The maximum repayment period is 20 years for undergraduate loans.
Eligibility - Students who are NJ residents attending eligible colleges worldwide. Non-NJ resident students attending eligible colleges in New Jersey.
Award - cost of attendance minus other aid.
How to fill out the 2022-23 FAFSA with divorced parents
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the only way to be considered for many types of financial aid, but it can be a complex form even under the best of circumstances. If your parents are divorced, it may be hard to know where to start, since the form relies heavily on your family’s finances to determine your aid. However, the U.S. Department of Education has established guidelines for a number of family circumstances.
For more information visit https://www.bankrate.com/loans/student-loans/fafsa-application-divorced-parents/.
Financial Aid Info
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