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Filling out the FAFSA is incredibly important for securing national grants (like the Federal Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, state financial aid/scholarships, and private scholarships from schools).
If you are or were a ward of the state/foster child, you may also be eligible for the NJ Foster Care Scholars scholarship if you seek a postsecondary degree from a school in New Jersey. Filling out the FAFSA will provide the state with the necessary information to determine your eligibility.
FAFSA deadlines can be found on the Studentaid site.
The New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) is the state agency that provides students and families with financial support to pursue education beyond high school. This support includes grants such as the Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) and the College Promise Initiative (which offers a tuition-free path to college for eligible New Jersey students through the Community College Opportunity Grant and Garden State Guarantee). Various scholarships such as the New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship (NJ STARS) are also available to students attending New Jersey colleges and universities.
In order for HESAA to determine a student’s eligibility for financial aid, students must first complete the FAFSA (or the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application if you are an NJ Dreamer). Then students must create their NJFAMS account and provide any additional requested documents by the applicable deadlines listed here.
New Jersey’s Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) is a need-based financial aid program. One third of all full-time undergraduate NJ residents attending school in New Jersey receive support through TAG.
For information visit this page or call HESAA’s Customer Care Center at 609-584-4480 Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also e-mail them at CustomerCare@hesaa.org
To be considered for a TAG award, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application within established state deadlines. The NJ TAG, like most federal and state grants, is based on financial need and is impacted, in part, by income. Your eligibility and award amounts may also vary from year to year.
HESAA offers a Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) Award Estimator here, which can give students an idea of what your approximate TAG award may be for the upcoming school year. This is an estimated average that does not guarantee an award.
Individual schools also have net cost calculators or financial aid estimators for students to gain an idea of what they will have to pay. Visit a school’s website for their calculator.
The Financial Aid and Education Resource Guide contains valuable information on federal and New Jersey state financial aid resources, information on applying for scholarships, as well as a list of available scholarships and college planning resources.
The Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Program assists students from disadvantaged backgrounds by providing additional financial aid, support services, and college preparation courses. To find out if you are eligible for EOF, click here.
Loans are money that you borrow from the government or private lenders for tuition, fees, and school expenses. Loans must be paid back with interest. Each loan has its own payment agreement and interest rate. Do your research on Loan Rates before you apply/ accept a loan: For example, the difference between variable and fixed interest rates. Variable rates may initially be lower than a fixed rate, but can change throughout the duration of your loan. This means you may be charged a higher interest rate later on, whereas a fixed interest rate will not change.
Different types of student loans
Private loans - Private student loans are available through non-federal and non-state lenders such as credit unions and banks. Private loans are not eligible for most debt forgiveness programs at the governmental level, and the interest rates vary.
Federal Student Loans - Federal student loans have flexible favorable terms, which include re-payment maximums and flexible re-payment options. They are sourced from the U.S. Department of Education and generally have lower interest rates than private lenders. A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required to be considered for Federal Loans. Students who demonstrate exceptional financial needs can qualify for interest-subsidized loans. Currently, the federal government has paused student loan payments until December 31, 2022.
Subsidized Student Loans - Students who qualify for subsidized student loans demonstrate financial need. The Education Depart pays for the interest acquired on these loans and is only available to undergraduate students.
Unsubsidized Student Loans - Students who qualify for unsubsidized student loans do not need to demonstrate financial need. The Education Department does not pay for the interest acquired on these loans, and the interest begins accruing immediately when they are disbursed. These loans are available to undergraduate, graduate, and professional
Financial aid award letters -
If your initial award letter from your chosen educational program is inadequate or does not meet the full tuition and fees balance, you can appeal the award amounts. By reaching out to your program or college's financial aid department, you can apply for additional sources or appeal your award letter.
Grants and scholarships over loans -
As a note, prioritize funding sources from grants and scholarships over private or federal loans. Private and government grants do not need to be reimbursed.
Guidance Counselor -
Your high school guidance counselor can be an excellent resource for locating appropriate financial aid, which includes grants and scholarships. They are often time able to provide institution-specific financial assistance.
Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) –
Not only is the HESAA website a helpful source of information, but HESAA employees are available to offer free, personalized information and assistance over phone and email. Visit the following page for information on how to contact HESAA: https://www.hesaa.org/Pages/contactus.aspx
Federal Student Debt Relief
The federal government offers relief from student loan debt for borrowers who meet certain criteria. You could be eligible for student loan forgiveness, cancellation, or discharge if you have a federal loan and work in a certain field, have a disability, repay your loans under an Income-Drive Repayment Plan for a certain amount of time, or meet other criteria. Click here to learn more.
New Jersey Loan Redemption
New Jersey may help you pay down your student loan debt if you qualify for one of several programs offering loan redemption to individuals based on their career choice. Teachers, nurses, public defenders, and other professionals may be eligible for this support. Visit HESAA’s loan redemption page to learn more.”
