Scholarships

What is the Garden State Guarantee?

The Garden State Guarantee (GSG) is New Jersey's promise to make a college degree more accessible and affordable. By reducing out-of-pocket costs for students and families, New Jersey is limiting the amount of debt that residents must borrow to attend an in-state, public college or university. This program further builds on New Jersey's commitment to improving college affordability. Students must be enrolled full time (at least 12 credits per semester) and must be working toward completing their first Bachelor's degree. New Jersey residents who attend an in-state, public, four-year institution will receive the following based on their adjusted gross incomes (AGI):

• AGI Between $0 and $65,000 - GSG will pay a net price of $0 for tuition and fees during their third and fourth years of study.
• AGI Between $65,001 and $80,000 - GSG will pay a discounted net price of no more than $7,500 for tuition and fees.
• AGI Between $80,001 and $100,000 - GSG will pay a discounted net price of no more than $10,000 for tuition and fees.

Questions and Answers

How do I determine my AGI?
For dependent students, only parents')/guardian(s') AGIs are considered, not the student's income. For independent students, the AGI of the student and spouse, if applicable, is considered.

For how long am I eligible for GSG?
Students who satisfy all eligibility criteria, including ongoing Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), may receive GSG up to the overall cap of four (4) semesters.

How many credits must I earn to be considered a third- or fourth-year student?
Third-year students are defined as having earned 60-89 total accumulated credits, and fourth-year students are defined as having earned 90-128 total accumulated credits, regardless of the institutions) at which the qualifying credits were earned (ie: accepted transfer credits from other colleges, dual enrollment and AP courses, etc.)

Will this new program help me if I was never eligible for state aid before?
Yes, you may still qualify for GSG. Expanding equitable and affordable college access to a high-quality degree in New Jersey is the GS's driving force.

Do I qualify for this program if I am a first- or second-year student?
GSG funding is available only to third- and fourth-year students at in-state, public, four-year institutions. First- and second-year students who attend a New Jersey community college with an AGI between $0 and $100,000 may be eligible for the Community College Opportunity Grant. Together, these complementary programs create a tuition- and fee-free pathway to a Bachelor's degree.

How to Apply

You will automatically be considered for the GSG when you complete the Free Application for

Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or, if you quality as an NO Dreamer, the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application. You must file your application by established deadline dates!

How Community College Opportunity Grants make Community College affordable:

Community College Opportunity Grants are awards that will pay the costs of tuition and approved educational fees not already covered by other available grants applied to the student's account for New Jersey residents with the following annual adjusted gross incomes (AGI):

AGI Between $O and $65,000 - CCOG will pay the full maximum award available at the college

AGI Between $65,001 and $80,000 - COG will pay up to one-half of the maximum award available at the college

AGI Between $80,001 and $100,000 - CCOG will pay up to one-third of the maximum award available at the college

Who is eligible for tuition-free Community College?

Community College Opportunity Grants are available to students who meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be a New Jersey resident with a total household adjusted gross income between $0 - $100,000
• Complete the FAFSA or NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application by applicable state deadlines
• Enroll in at least six (6) credits per semester at any of New Jersey's community colleges during the Spring and/or Fall semesters
• Have no prior college degree
• Make satisfactory academic progress

Students enrolled in one of New Jersey's 18 county colleges are advised to visit https://njfams.hesaa.org to access their student account and review their To Do List.

For more details on student eligibility and program rules visit your county college's Financial Aid Office or visit www.hesaa.org/pages/CCOG.aspx

How To Apply for Federal & State Financial Aid in New Jersey in Just 5 Steps. When it's time to apply for financial aid, all you have to do is follow these five steps to complete your application.

Step 1 Get the Information and Assistance You Need
If you need help with the financial aid process, seek free assistance from a high school counselor, college financial aid officer, the U.S. Department of Education at 1-800-Fed-Aid (433-3243). or HESAA at 609-584-4480. Make sure to meet applicable State deadlines, which can be found at hesaa.org/pages/stateapplicationdeadlines.aspx, to be considered for State financial aid.

Step 2 Create an FSA Login
If you are eligible to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you and any contributor(s), if applicable, must create your own individual Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID Account logins. This ID will serve as your electronic signature on the FAFSA. Visit studentaid.gov/fsa-id  to create your username and passwords, which will be used to access the FAFSA once you're ready.

Step 3 Complete Your Application
Start your FAFA by going to studentaid.gov and logging in with your SAID. Once you complete the student's section of the application, invite any applicable contributors, such as a spouse, parent, stepparent, or adoptive parent, to fill out the contributor section of the FAFSA. Make sure to sign and submit your section of the FAFSA before the contributors) begin.

Step 4 Create an NJFAMS Account
After your FAFA is processed, HESAA/NJFAMS (New Jersey Financial Aid Management System) will send you an email with a link to visit njfams.hesaa.org/NJFAMS/StudentRegisterForLogin.aspx to create an account. Once you create a User ID and password, you will be able to view your 'To Do List' and 'Award and Eligibility' information within the NJFAMS portal.

Step 5 Submit Corrections and Verify Your Answers as Needed
Once you submit your application, check the FAFA Submission Summary (FSS) on the studentaid.gov website to see if you need to make any corrections to your FAFSA. Similarly, check your 'To Do List" in NUFAMS to see if HESAA requires any additional information or documents in order to process your State aid eligibility. Once all information is verified, you can view your federal financial aid eligibility and State financial aid eligibility on these respective sites.

Note: Colleges and universities let new students know how much institutional aid they are eligible to receive via award letters. Returning college students can view their institutional aid eligibility in their college financial aid portal.

If You Are Ineligible for the FAFSA: 
See if you qualify as an NJ Dreamer at hesaa.org/Pages/NJAlternativeApplication.aspx. If you do, create an NFAMS account and apply for State financial aid by filling out the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application instead.

Visit www.hesaa.org for more information

What is EOF?

EOF provides access and opportunity for NJ residents to attend a NJ College and University.

What does EOF provide?

1. Academic support, advisement, and counseling
2. Financial assistance and information
3. College Summer Bridge Program and winter session support
4. Personal, career, and leadership development opportunities

Who offers EOF?

Most NJ Colleges and Universities host EOF programs.

• State Colleges and Universities
• Independent Colleges and Universities
• Community Colleges
• Public Research Universities

How do l apply?

Contact the appropriate EOF campus program to discuss the application process.

How do I find out if I am eligible?

EOF Eligibility

Space is limited and admission into EOF is conducted at the campus level.