The State of New Jersey offers an impressive variety of scholarship and grant programs to support its students. The scholarships and grants range from those that are merit-based to those that are need-based and can be used for anything from tuition costs to books and other materials. In addition, many of the awards offered through the State are renewable, so recipients have the opportunity to receive additional funds each year as long as they meet eligibility requirements.

One of the most important things to know about New Jersey’s college scholarship and grant programs is that most require the completion of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for federal financial aid. However, New Jersey’s Higher Education Student Assistant Authority (HESAA) also uses the FAFSA to determine the eligibility of New Jersey residents for state-level programs.

While there are great options below, your search for college scholarships shouldn’t end here. In addition to government programs, there are many private scholarships available to New Jersey students. On top of consulting with your school counselor or financial aid office, you can also use our free scholarship finder to connect with scholarship prizes.

Now, let’s get to some options that can help you pay for college!

New Jersey Scholarship Programs

NJ STARS

The NJ Stars program provides high-achieving students with free tuition at their home county colleges. To be eligible, applicants must rank in the top 15% of their class at the end of their junior or senior year of high school.

The total award amount is the cost of tuition (this prize acts as a top up if a student wins other state or federal grants).

NJ STARS II

The NJ Stars II program provides funding for successful NJ STARS scholars who transfer to a New Jersey four-year public or private college or university. Students must graduate from a county college with an associate degree and a GPA of 3.25 or higher.

The amount of this award is up to $1,250 per semester.

Governor’s Urban Scholarship

The Governor’s Urban Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship program available for students in New Jersey’s economically-challenged communities. To be eligible, students must rank within the top 5% of their class and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the end of their junior year in a New Jersey high school.

The total amount of this award is dependent on annual state funding.

NJ Foster Care Scholars

The NJ Foster Care Scholars program is for 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. Awards are offered in two streams: academic scholarships and opportunity grants.

The amount of the award is based on each student’s specific circumstance.

New Jersey Governor’s Industry Vocations Scholarship for Women and Minorities – NJ-GIVS

The NJ-GIVS program supports women and minority students pursuing a certificate or degree program in a construction-related field. According to New Jersey statutes, “Minority” is defined as someone who is:

1) Black, which is a person having origins in any of the black racial groups in Africa; or 2) Hispanic, which is a person of Spanish or Portuguese culture, with origins in Mexico, South or Central America, or the Caribbean Islands, regardless of race; or 3) Asian American, which is a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, Indian Subcontinent, Hawaii or the Pacific Islands; or 4) American Indian or Alaskan native, which is a person having origins in any of the original peoples of North America.

This award pays up to $2,000 per year.

World Trade Center Scholarship

The WTC Scholarship benefits dependent children and surviving spouses of New Jersey residents who were killed or died as a result of injuries sustained by the terrorist attacks against the U.S. on September 11, 2001. The award also benefits the dependents of those who died as a result of illness caused by exposure to the attack sites.

The WTC Board sets the amount of the scholarship each summer for the next academic year. The scholarship amount cannot exceed the actual tuition, fees, room and board charged.

New Jersey Survivor Tuition Benefits Program

The Survivor Tuition Benefits Program (STB) is for eligible children and surviving spouses of New Jersey firefighters, emergency service workers, and law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty to earn a bachelor’s degree.

The STB award provides students with free tuition at any public institution of higher education in New Jersey. The award amount cannot exceed the highest tuition charged at a New Jersey public institution.

Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Scholarship

The Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Scholarship (LEOM) is for dependent children of New Jersey law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Students must be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree program at an approved New Jersey college, university, or degree-granting proprietary school.

The LEOM scholarship covers up to the cost of attendance, less other scholarships, grants, benefits, and other assistance awarded under HESAA statute.

New Jersey Grant Programs

Tuition Aid Grant

The New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) helps students who demonstrate financial need. Students may attend an approved New Jersey state full-time undergraduate program or count college on a part-time basis.

Award amounts vary each year. For full-time studies, a student may receive between $2,924 to $13,590 depending on the institution of enrollment. For part-time studies, an eligible student can receive between $731 and $1,097.

The Community College Opportunity Grant

The Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) pays for the cost of tuition and approved educational fees for New Jersey residents with an annual adjusted gross income (AGI) between $0 and $65,000. New Jersey residents with AGIs between $65,001 and $80,000 pay reduced tuition costs after up to 50% of the maximum CCOG award available at their community college is applied. The CCOG covers the cost of tuition and fees that are not already covered by federal and state financial aid or scholarships.

Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF)

The New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) provides financial assistance and support services (e.g. counseling, tutoring, and developmental course work) to students from educationally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds who attend participating institutions of higher education in the State of New Jersey.

Undergraduate grants range from $200 annually to $3,050 annually depending on the type of institution and financial need.

EOF Graduate Grants

The New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund Graduate Grant provides financial assistance and support for graduate students. The objective of the graduate EOF program is to increase participation in graduate and professional study of New Jersey residents from backgrounds of historical poverty. Students who received EOF grants as undergraduates shall be given priority consideration for EOF graduate grants. These students are presumed to have met the financial eligibility criteria for graduate EOF as long as they continue to demonstrate financial need.

Graduate grants range from $200 annually to $4,900 annually depending on the type of institution and financial need.

Find More College Scholarships and Grants for New Jersey Students

Let’s face it. Being a college student comes with many exciting opportunities, but also financial pressure. For this reason, your search for scholarships and grants shouldn’t end here. There are many more scholarship opportunities to help pay for college.

Familiarizing yourself with your options is a great start. You never know how a little bit of research may translate into winning prizes. This can be a big help to your bank account and your academic track record. Put simply, scholarship wins give you and your career options. Go get them!

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