How To Get Free College in New Jersey

The cost of tuition has been steadily increasing for decades, and New Jersey residents have had to react accordingly. In addition to the general financial aid options available, state governments have begun instituting and expanding programs that allow students to attend community colleges or public universities without paying tuition.

Tuition-free online colleges in New Jersey and the state of New Jersey have multiple programs in place, such as the Tuition Aid Grant, the Community College Opportunity Grant, and the Garden State Guarantee. These programs help eligible students to pursue an education from public colleges across the state with little to no tuition or fees.

Is Community College Free in New Jersey?

A community college education can be made free for eligible students in New Jersey. The New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) offers two individual programs through the New Jersey College Promise Program, the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) and the Garden State Guarantee (GSG).

These two programs base eligibility primarily on financial need. They can cover 100% of tuition for students for up to four years, which means that community college can be made free; still, these programs only cover education costs for students who meet eligibility requirements. If you aren't eligible for any reason, you will have to pay any gaps left from grants and scholarships.

Learn more: How To Get Free Community College

Who Qualifies for Free College in New Jersey?

Eligibility for free college programs in New Jersey is based primarily on income. The adjusted gross income (AGI) of the student or their family can't exceed $100,000. Even though income is a key factor, other factors also determine eligibility status. Students must also:

• have citizenship in New Jersey
• complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or their New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application (for non-citizen residents)
• be currently enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours (part-time) per semester at a New Jersey community college
• have not yet completed an undergraduate college degree (i.e., associate degree or bachelor's degree)
• maintain satisfactory academic progress, such as a minimum GPA

Each program has unique requirements based on the type of schooling that they are used for. For more information, look into the programs on the HESAA website.

What Is the Tuition Aid Grant?

The Tuition Aid Grant is a last-dollar financial aid program that can be awarded to students based on their financial need. This program can be applied to any type of accredited higher-learning institution, giving students the freedom to pursue whichever degree fits their career goals.

The program awards funds for a maximum number of terms based on the type of degree. An associate degree will be covered for up to five terms, while a bachelor's degree will be covered for up to nine.

Who Is Eligible?

All New Jersey residents enrolled in a higher education institute may be eligible if they meet the stated requirements. The program allocates funds based on financial need and the overall cost of tuition, which results in varying amounts for different students. FAFSA forms help determine students' income levels, which will be used to allocate funds.

Eligible Institutions

All accredited schools in New Jersey are eligible institutions for the Tuition Aid Grant. This includes not only New Jersey public universities but also private universities and county colleges. Students must qualify for in-state rates at the school they apply to. TAG has the most eligible schools compared to the other types of financial aid programs.

How To Apply

There isn't a standard application process for the Tuition Aid Grant. Instead, this program is added to a student's FAFSA file and applied when enrolled in a qualifying school. This program is a last-dollar program, meaning your actual amount will be calculated after your other grants and scholarships have been applied.

What Is the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG)?

This program is designed for NJ residents or NJ dreamers to pursue a first-time degree. It can cover the full tuition cost amount. This program only applies to community college education and won't continue if the student transfers to another institution to finish a bachelor's degree.

Who Is Eligible?

This financial aid program is available to all community college students in New Jersey, provided they meet a few eligibility requirements. Students must be residents, either citizens or non-citizen residents, of New Jersey. They must also fill out the FAFSA or NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application, based on their citizenship status.

Eligible Institutions

This program is only applicable to community colleges in New Jersey. The CCOG fills in the gaps of other grants or scholarships, giving some students free tuition.

How To Apply

Once a student fills out the FAFSA or NJ AFAA form, they have already applied for the CCOG. On your FAFSA or AFAA form, you will select your priority schools. If you have a community or county college chosen as a priority school, your needs will be reviewed for eligibility.

What Is the Garden State Guarantee (GSG)?

The Garden State Guarantee is like the CCOG but for four-year institutions. This program covers tuition costs for students who attend in-state, four-year universities after other federal or state aid and scholarships have been applied. This program has a cap of four semesters or 128 credit hours, whichever comes first.

Who Is Eligible?

This financial aid program comes with multiple eligibility requirements. This program is to support third and fourth-year students, based on completed credit hours.

Primarily, students must attend an in-state, four-year public university. Additionally, their family's AGI must be less than $65,000 to have total coverage, with a graduated system ranging up to a student payment of $10,000 for students with a family AGI of $100,000. Finally, students must enroll full-time (12 credit hours or more per semester).

Eligible Institutions

All public four-year institutions in New Jersey are eligible for the Garden State Guarantee. Because the GSG only covers the third and fourth years of schooling, you might want to review first and second-year financial aid offerings before deciding.

How To Apply

As long as you meet the state deadlines for your FAFSA or AFAA forms, your application for this program will be received. Because this program is for third and fourth-year students, you won't see any benefits until later in your learning. Unless you change schools, your GSG is automatically applied in your third year when you fill out your FAFSA document.

Tips for Making College Affordable

Outside of these various state-based programs, there are other steps you can take to reduce your costs associated with college. Some of the most common steps students take include:

• starting with a community college
• using CLEP or AP tests to earn credits
• withdrawing money from a 529 or other savings plan
• find tuition-free colleges to reduce total costs

Learn more: How To Go to College for Less: Tips for Making College More Affordable

Tuition-Free Colleges in New Jersey

Some schools have tuition-free programs that allow students to ignore tuition costs by paying examination fees or receiving tuition waivers or reimbursements. Some of the most popular schools in New Jersey with tuition-free programs include:

• New Jersey City University
• Rutgers-Camden
• Rutgers-Newark
• William Paterson University