College Aid Programs in New Jersey
Find Cash for Your Higher Education Expenses
New Jersey counts itself among one of the most proactive states in the Union when it comes to providing need-based scholarships and grants to students. In many other states those funds are often only designated for use at public institutions, but in New Jersey most grants and scholarships may be used at any type of college or university. New Jersey has 57 private, public and community colleges, some with such familiar names as Princeton and Rutgers.
General Scholarships and Grants
One of the state's most disbursed programs is the Tuition Assistance Grant that is designed for low and middle-income students. With this program, the state is able to offer a college education to more students. Because this is a need-based program, students apply by completing the FAFSA.
Students enrolling in a community college following graduation or those who will wait a while before attending may qualify for the NJ Stars Program. This merit-based grant program provides eligible students with a nice tuition package that covers part of their program.
The Part Time Tuition Aid Grant targets students attending community college on only a part time basis.
Like many other states, New Jersey tries to find incentives that will help convince talented students to study within their home state. The Outstanding Scholar Recruitment Program is designed to offer the most talented students, willing to attend a state college or university, up to $7500 in scholarships.
The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship is a federally funded program that awards the academic upper crust from each New Jersey Congressional district. Students must have top scores in SATs, GPAs close to 4.0 and demonstrate leadership qualities. Eligible students must already be accepted to a four-year college or university, but it may anywhere in the United States.
Unique to New Jersey is the Dana Christmas Scholarship for Heroism named for the Seton Hall student who passed up the chance to flee a burning dormitory in order to save the lives of fellow students. New Jersey students who feel they have performed acts of heroism qualified may apply.
The Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholars Program perhaps rivals the academic criteria of the infamous Robert Byrd Honors Scholars. The Bloustein Scholars are expected to not only be the top graduates, but to be top in their classes by the time they reach their junior year in high school and be able to maintain that class status. Recipients may receive up to $1000 per academic year.
The World Trade Center Disaster affected many New Jersey citizens and, therefore, the state is one of those that administer the World Trade Center Scholarship Fund.The program offers $6500 tuitions for the dependents of those killed or missing on September 11, 2001.
The dependents of those New Jersey Law Enforcement Officers killed in the line of duty, qualify to receive tuition at any state college or university according to the Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Scholarship Program. Similar scholarships apply for the dependents of other Public Safety Officers, such as fire fighters and paramedics. Dependents may be eligible according to the Survivor Tuition Benefits Program.
More detailed information and applications can be found at the New Jersey Higher Education Assistance Authority
