New Jersey State Grant Programs

Tuition Aid Grant (TAG)

The Tuition Aid Grant is one of the nation’s largest financial aid programs. TAG may cover up to the cost of tuition, and the amount of the individual grant varies based upon the student’s need, the cost of attendance, and available funding. For the 2023–2024 academic year, the New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) ranged from $2,176 to $14,404 to attend GCU.

Eligible Students

Students must be New Jersey residents for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to enrollment, a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, registered with the Selective Service (if required), and a full-time undergraduate at an approved New Jersey postsecondary institution. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate financial need and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Students who have received a bachelor’s degree are not eligible.

Applicants must file a FAFSA or renewal FAFSA by the application deadline dates. The GCU priority deadline date is January 15. Renewal students must file by April 15 of the award year. New applicants must file by September 15 of the award year. The spring-only award deadline is February 15.

Eligibility for New Jersey Dreamers

Students enrolled in eligible New Jersey colleges and universities are able to apply for state financial aid through the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application if the following details are met:

  • Attended a New Jersey high school for at least three years or more, and
  • Graduated from a New Jersey high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in New Jersey, and
  • If a male and are between the ages of 18-25, registered for Selective Service. 

The application is available at www.hesaa.org.  

Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF)

The Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program is a state-funded initiative that is designed to support students from economically and/or educationally underserved populations across the state. The EOF program provides eligible students with academic, social, and financial support as they navigate through the educational experience. Students at Georgian Court University (and other private institutions) receive a $3,050 state grant, in addition to the other elements of support that are offered to our participants. The grant is renewed, based upon continued eligibility.

Eligible Students

To be considered for EOF, a student must meet the following criteria:

  • be a New Jersey resident for at least 12 consecutive months—immediately prior to enrollment;
  • be accepted as a full-time student to the university;
  • meet the academic criteria, as determined by the institution;
  • have completed the FAFSA; and
  • exhibit a financial need, based on the state’s criteria for eligibility.

Applicants must complete the EOF Questionnaire and submit their (or their parent/guardian’s) 1040 and IRS tax transcripts in order to be considered. Transfer students who received EOF at their previous institution should submit a Program Transfer Form as well; it should be signed by their last EOF director and counselor.

For more information, please contact the EOF office at 732-987-2355 or the EOF recruiter/counselor at 732-987-2767.

Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship II (NJ STARS II)

The NJ STARS II program provides successful NJ STARS students at New Jersey county colleges with funding to transfer to a New Jersey four-year college/university to earn a bachelor’s degree.

The NJ STARS II award will be based on tuition only, except for Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) recipients who will receive NJ STARS II awards based on tuition and approved mandatory fees. The amount of the award will be determined after all other state and federal grants and scholarships are applied to these charges, not to exceed $1,250 per semester for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Eligible Students

  • Students must be NJ STARS recipients or non-funded (tuition and approved fees fully covered by other state and/or federal aid) during the semester of county college graduation.
  • NJ STARS students must have graduated from a New Jersey county college with an associate’s degree and a GPA of 3.25 or higher.
  • Family income (including taxable and untaxed income) must be less than $250,000.
  • Students must be admitted to a New Jersey four-year institution that participates in the TAG program. Note: NJ STARS eligibility does not guarantee admission to a New Jersey four-year college or university.
  • Students must begin NJ STARS II program participation no later than the second semester immediately following county college graduation.
  • Students must be enrolled in a full-time course of study (minimum 12 college-level credits) each semester.
  • Students must apply for all forms of state and federal need-based grants and merit scholarships and submit any requested documentation to complete verification of application data within established state deadlines.

Renewal Eligibility

  • Students must attain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 at the start of the third semester of study at the New Jersey four-year institution to maintain eligibility for the third and fourth semesters. Summer courses are included in determining the GPA.
  • Students must maintain continuous full-time enrollment as NJ STARS II recipients unless on a medical leave, approved by the four-year college or university, due to the illness of the student, a member of the student’s immediate family, or a family emergency. The only other exception to continuous full-time enrollment applies to NJ STARS II students called to partial or full mobilization for state or federal active duty as a member of the National Guard or a Reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States.
  • Students may receive an NJ STARS II award for up to four semesters, excluding summer sessions.

Urban Scholars Award

High-achieving students attending public secondary schools in the state’s urban and economically distressed areas (Type A and B school districts as defined by the New Jersey Department of Education) may be selected as a Distinguished Scholar under funding provided through the Urban Scholars Program. Students who rank in the top 10 percent of their class and have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 or equivalent scale) at the end of their junior year are considered for Urban Scholar awards. An Academic Index (AI) for each of these students is computed based on class ranking and GPA, and offers are made to candidates with the highest AI. Each participating Type A and B school receives a share of the total awards available based on class size. Scholarships under the Urban Scholars Program are offered without regard to financial need.