Saturday, March 31, 2007

Top Four College Grants / Scholarships for NJ students

1) Federal Pell Grants provide financial assistance to students enrolled in an eligible program as determined by a national formula. The amount of the award is based on (1) eligibility as determined by the Pell Grant formula, (2) the cost of the program, and (3) enrollment status.
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) is a federal grant program that provides additional grants to eligible students that pursued a rigorous program of study in high school on or after January 1, 2005. For more information on rigorous program click on Academic Competitiveness Grant.

2) Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is a federal program, which provides money to undergraduate students with financial need.
Tuition Aid Grant (TAG), a New Jersey program, which provides aid to full-time students who are New Jersey residents. N.J. county college students enrolled for 6-11 credits may be eligible for an award through the part-time TAG Program.
Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) is a New Jersey grant program for students from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds who have exceptional financial need. It is available to New Jersey residents only.

3) NJ STARS: Starting with the class of 2004, New Jersey high school students who graduate in the top 20 percent of their New Jersey high school class may be eligible for NJ STARS.
NJ STARS covers up to five semesters of tuition and approved fees at your local community college. NJ STARS students must take at least 12 college-level credits each semester and can take up to 15 college-level credits each semester.
NJ STARS students have up to two years after graduating high school to enroll at a New Jersey community college.
NJ STARS students must be enrolled in an associate degree program at a New Jersey community college.
NJ STARS students must maintain continuous full-time enrollment at a New Jersey community college.
After their first year enrolled at a New Jersey community college, NJ STARS students must hold a 3.0 grade point average by the beginning of their second year to be eligible for scholarship renewal for the second year.
For more information on NJ STARS, call 1-800-334-NJCC or send email to info@njccc.org.

4) NJ TAG
New Jersey’s Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) program is one of the nation’s largest financial aid programs, and New Jersey ranks among the top states in providing aid for needy students. Depending on your need, a TAG award can cover close to the full cost of tuition at a public college or a portion of that cost. The program also offers sizeable awards to attend in-state private institutions. One in every three full-time New Jersey students receives TAG, and awards may be used at nearly all New Jersey postsecondary institutions, including community colleges, state colleges and private schools. To get the best idea of a family’s ability to pay higher education expenses, eligibility for TAG is determined by a review of many factors, such as family income and assets, family size and the number in college. The cost of attendance is also taken into consideration, so you should never feel that a school is beyond your reach just because it is more expensive.


The Part-Time Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) Program for County College Students began as a pilot program with the 2003-04 academic year. Within the limits of available funding, this program provides pro-rated awards to New Jersey county college students taking 6 - 11 credits per term, who are otherwise eligible for the Tuition Aid Grant Program. (To review eligiblity requirements, click "Student Eligibility")
The maximum 2006-07 award for students enrolled half-time (6-8 credits) is $419 per term. Students enrolled three-quarter time (9-11 credits) may receive a maximum of $628 per term.



For more information on other state-sponsored scholarships and financial aid programs, visit the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority http://www.njccc.org/njstars.htm.

Other resources:
http://college.enotes.com/scholarships-loans/NJ Lists scholarships by state


Tuition Aid Grant Award Estimator - 2006-2007
https://www.hesaa.org/eadmin/tag0607/studentstatus.asp

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