Top 3 Tuition-Free Online Colleges in New Jersey

The state of New Jersey has made a conscious effort to provide affordable education to its students. Many students have become reliant on federal student aid to cover their education costs.

Grants, loans, and scholarships have become popular financial aid options for students to use to lower their college tuition costs.

In response, many institutions in the state have offered free online courses and tuition-free opportunities to students who demonstrate a financial need.

Below, you'll find a list that contains the three best online colleges and universities that offer free courses and tuition-free assistance to aspiring students. Plus, there's financial aid options that are available to students.

Online Colleges and Universities with Free Courses

The following list contains the top three tuition-free and low-cost online colleges in New Jersey.

1. Rutgers University

Rutgers University is one of the most popular universities that offer many free online courses for aspiring students. Some of the free online courses offered are:

• Supply Chain Management Specialization
• Healthcare Organization Operations Specialization
• Supply Chain Analytics Specialization
• Business Process Management in Healthcare Organizations

Aside from the free courses, the university provides affordable online degrees. The average in-state undergraduate tuition is around $12,000, while out-of-state tuition is currently around $30,000.

Many of the programs blend classroom instruction and experiential learning, such as internships or practicums.

2. Rowan University

Rowan University is another popular university in New Jersey that offers several online degree programs. The university also offers a way for students to earn their degrees for free.

The Rowan Opportunity Program is designed to reduce tuition and fees so that the student pays a net cost of zero or a reduced amount. In order to qualify, students must:

• complete the FAFSA
• be a New Jersey resident or eligible noncitizen
• have a federal adjusted gross income of $0 to $65,000
• enroll full time

3. Ocean County College

Ocean County College offers online degrees and certificate programs to students interested in advancing their skillsets and career.

The college offers many financial aid resources to its students, including a tuition-free option.

Half of all students who complete the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application for Ocean County College attend the school tuition free.

In order to be eligible, students must:

• complete and file the FAFSA application
• complete and answer the New Jersey State Grants Questions in NJFAMS
• complete state record and verification documents
• enroll for a minimum of six credits

How To Make College Free

The following information contains the best ways for students to lower their education costs and achieve an affordable education.

Apply for Grants

Applying for grants is a terrific way for students to lower their education costs. College grants are a form of financial aid that do not usually require repayment.

Depending on the grant, they can cover a variety of education-related expenses, such as tuition, room and board, and books.

The state of New Jersey offers the Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) program for students enrolled in a New Jersey college or university. In order to qualify, students must:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent
• demonstrate financial need
• be a New Jersey resident for at least 12 months
• maintain satisfactory academic progress
• be a full-time undergraduate student

The TAG awards may cover up to the cost of tuition. The total amount of the award depends on financial need, cost of attendance, and available funding.

The awards may be renewed each year as long as the students meet the eligibility requirements.

Apply for Scholarships

New Jersey offers many scholarship programs that are available for students attending colleges and universities in the state.

The NJ STARS Program is a scholarship program that provides New Jersey's highest achieving students with free tuition at their home county colleges.

The award covers the cost of tuition for up to 10 credit hours per semester. Students may be eligible to receive an NJ STARS award for up to five semesters of continuous full-time enrollment.

Get Tuition Reimbursement from an Employer

The New Jersey Department of Labor (NJDOL) currently offers a way that employees can take to advance their careers.

The Career Development Program is designed for employees interested in attaining an undergraduate or graduate degree.

The program is offered by a flexible choice of accredited institutions, and employees must have completed at least nine months of service with the department.

Look Into Tuition and Fee Waivers

The state of New Jersey has a program that allows certain unemployed individuals to attend a public institution tuition free on a space-available basis.

Books, labs, and other appropriate fees are the responsibility of the student.

Find a Free or Low-Cost Degree in New Jersey Today

The state of New Jersey provides numerous online colleges that offer an affordable education. If any of these programs interest you, please reach out to your institution of choice for more information.