Fun fact: the street names on a Monopoly game board are based on those in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Unless you plan to pay for college using Monopoly money, you may want to start your search for scholarships. For those living in New Jersey, these state-specific scholarships are a great way to help pay for college or grad school.
Even if you aren't a current resident of New Jersey but plan to attend a school in the Garden State, such as: Princeton University, Rutgers University, the College of New Jersey, Seton Hall University, Montclair State University, or the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), you may also be qualified for these scholarships for New Jersey students. Check out our directory of New Jersey scholarships, and apply online today!
$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 30
Deadline
The Korean American Scholarship Foundation (KASF) – Northeastern Regional Chapter (NERC) is pleased to announce a scholarship program in honor and recognition of 1.6 million American Veterans who served in the Korean War during the Korean War era (June 25, 1950–January 31, 1955). These men and women answered the call to fight for a country and people they never knew and never met. More than 54,000 Americans died and 103,000 were wounded.
To express our gratitude to these veterans for their sacrifices, KASF-NERC will offer their descendants an opportunity to apply for a scholarship. KASF-NERC scholarship program will recognize outstanding students who have demonstrated outstanding talents and potential for success. Awardees attending in college or graduate school will receive a check of $2,000 scholarships from KASF and be able to attend the Annual Awards Gala to be held in New York City.
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$1,600
Award Amount
5
Awards
Jun 30
Deadline
The John Sexton Scholars Program for International Conflict & Peace Studies is an educational nonprofit working primarily with High School students in NJ, NY, & CT and College students across the US.Our Mission is two-fold: to promote awareness of current international crises involving conflict and displaced peoples, especially those with little media attention, and to provide substantive professional and academic opportunities to the next generation of change makers.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 7
Deadline
Association For Women In Science New Jersey High School STEM awards and scholarships are offered annually. Female high school seniors and juniors, residing anywhere in the state and interested in STEM can apply. Applicants are asked to write an essay on a STEM professional with a NJ connection (female). Academic performance and teacher recommendations are also evaluated.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 14
Deadline
The John E. Kostic Memorial Foundation offers scholarship that benefit high school seniors attending college and current undergraduates. The Juvenile Diabetes Scholarships benefits incoming college freshman in the state of New Jersey. Amounts in scholarships vary but were previously $5,000 each.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
U.S. female high school seniors who are graduating from Princeton High School in New Jersey are eligible for this award. Students must pursue a career in an allied health profession.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
Female high school seniors planning to graduate from Princeton High School in New Jersey are eligible for this award. Students must plan to pursue a career in education.
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Understanding Scholarships In New Jersey
338,495 students were enrolled at the Garden State’s 47 colleges and universities in the spring of 2024.
It is important to understand how much going to school in New Jersey can cost before looking at the grants and scholarships that are available to New Jersey students, to make college-going affordable!
New Jersey residents can expect to pay approximately $ 16,000 in tuition and fees at any of the Rutgers University campuses while out of state students will pay approximately $ 36,000. Tuition can vary slightly depending on what you major in at Rutgers. In-state residents will pay about the same to attend Montclair State and NJIT but slightly more in tuition and fees at College of New Jersey. Other public schools such as Thomas Edison State University generally have more affordable tuition and fees.
A good number of students in New Jersey are eligible for federal, state, and institutional grants that can make the cost of college much more affordable. Even so, students often will find they will still incur out of pocket costs associated with pursuing their education in the state of the Garden State. This is why private scholarships play an important role for many students in keeping college costs affordable!
New Jersey Scholarships for College
If you plan to go to college in New Jersey, here are some grants and scholarships to consider.
New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant
The Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) is a need-based grant with annual awards of up to $ 14,404 for 2024-25. Your actual award amount will be based on your family income, the type of college or university you attend, the school you are attending, and whether you are attending part or full-time. TAG funds may be used at eligible private and private colleges and universities in New Jersey.
Garden State Guarantee
The Garden State Guarantee (GSG) helps keep college affordable for students from low and moderate income families in New Jersey. GSG ensures certain families will not have to pay any remaining or a reduced level of tuition and fees that remain after other federal and state financial aid a student has been eligible for has been applied. The exact amount of this benefit will be determined based on your family’s income and other financial aid you receive. The GSG only applies to New Jersey’s public 4 year colleges and universities.
Community College Opportunity Grant
Similar to GSG, the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) helps cover remaining tuition and fees students who attend community colleges in New Jersey may owe after other financial aid is considered. CCOG is available to New Jersey residents who have adjusted gross incomes of less than $ 100,000.
Governor’s Urban Scholarship
The Governor’s Urban Scholarship (GUS) is a merit-based scholarship available to all New Jersey students who by the end of their junior year of high school rank in the top 5% of their class with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and live in certain designated high-need communities. Students who qualify for GUS are typically notified by the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA). Awards vary and are based on state funding. GUS awards may be used at eligible public and private colleges and universities in New Jersey.
Governor’s Industry Vocations Scholarship
The New Jersey Governor’s Industry Vocations Scholarship (NJ-GIVS) provides scholarship awards of up to $ 2,000 per year up to the cost of a students’s tuition after other state, federal, and institutional aid is applied. NJ-GIVS is a need-based scholarship that is available to women and students of color who are pursuing a certificate or degree program at an eligible institution in New Jersey in a construction-related field.
New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship for High School Graduates
The New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship (NJ STARS) is available to students who at the end of either their junior or senior year of high school were in the top 15% of their class and have a GPA of at least 3.25. NJ STARS is available to New Jersey residents who have household incomes of less than $ 250,000. Awards can generally only be used for full-time study at a student’s home county college in New Jersey. Actual award amounts vary and are based on available state funding.
New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship for Community College Transfers
The New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship (NJ STARS II) is available to students who attended a New Jersey community college and are transferring to an eligible 4 year college or university in New Jersey. Awards are up to $ 1,250 per semester in 2024-25. Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 and family income of less than $ 250,000.
New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship for Community College Transfers
The New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship (NJ STARS II) is available to students who attended a New Jersey community college and are transferring to an eligible 4 year college or university in New Jersey. Awards are up to $ 1,250 per semester in 2024-25. Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 and family income of less than $ 250,000.
NJBEST Scholarship
The NJBEST Scholarship is available to beneficiaries of a NJBEST 529 College Savings Plan and provides scholarships of up to $ 6,000 to eligible New Jersey students who are attending a public or private college or university in the Garden State.
Other Tuition Waiver and Scholarship Programs in New Jersey
Students who were in foster care or surviving children or spouses of New Jersey first responders killed in the line of duty are eligible for scholarships, waivers, and other benefits administered by HESAA.
Institutional Grants and Scholarships
Both public and private colleges and universities in New Jersey provide institutional grants and scholarships to students. Such grants and scholarships can be need or merit-based. They play an important role in reducing the gap between federal and state financial aid and what a student may still owe in tuition and fees as well as other educational expenses.
Federal Grants
Students in New Jersey who are legal US residents or U.S citizens who come from lower income households may qualify for federal grants such as the Pell Grant, with a maximum award for 2024-25 of $ 7,395. Pell and other federal grants are need-based and do not require repayment so they can make a big difference in keeping education costs low!
Private Scholarships for Students In New Jersey
While New Jersey has many state financial aid programs and scholarships for its students, many students find these opportunities do not always cover all educational expenses. Many programs also have income requirements that either disqualify certain students completely or minimize the awards a student is eligible for. This is where private scholarships can be a big source of support and why all students should consider applying for private scholarships.
Private scholarships do vary in criteria and eligibility, offering opportunities for students pursuing a college education at colleges and universities in New Jersey and across the United States. For this reason, you should plan to apply broadly for as many private scholarships as you may qualify. Websites like unigo.com provide comprehensive listings and application details for many private scholarships.
Tips for New Jersey Students Applying for Scholarships and Grants
If you want to pursue your college dreams in New Jersey, there are a multitude of grants and scholarships that can help make college more affordable. By applying for as many scholarships and grants as possible, you will increase your chances of being awarded scholarships and grants that can make funding your education possible. Here are some important tips to follow:
- Start Early: Many scholarships and grants have deadlines well before the academic year starts. It’s never too soon to begin your search and apply for scholarships.
- Get Organized: Keep track of deadlines, required documents, and application requirements. Using a spreadsheet or calendar can help you manage your scholarship and grant applications like a pro!
- Personalize Your Approach: Make sure and personalize your essays and applications to align with the specific criteria and mission of each scholarship or grant you are applying for.
- Ask for Recommendations: Ask your teachers, counselors, church leaders, or community leaders for letters of recommendation.These letters can help you shine. It is important to ask for these letters as early as possible as other students may also be asking for letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, etc.
- Put Yourself In the Spotlight: Be sure to highlight your various academic achievements, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, community service, and future plans.
- Complete the FAFSA: You will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to be considered for most grants and scholarships offered by New Jersey colleges and universities as well as the state or New Jersey. Since you will also need to complete the FAFSA in order to be considered for any federal student aid programs including Pell Grants, you should plan to submit your FAFSA as soon as you can.
How about student loans?
Grants and scholarships can play a big role in making college affordable, however, many students will find that they still need funds to pay for educational expenses. Taking a student loan can make the difference between being able to afford going to college or not. Deciding to borrow to cover your educational expenses is a decision that requires careful thought and consideration.
Student loans must be repaid and accrue interest until they are paid. That’s why scholarships and grants that do not need to be repaid are always preferable! Student loans are available through the federal government as well as private student loan providers. Federal student loans typically have more favorable terms as it relates to repayment and the amount of interest charged. At the same time, lower loan limits on federal student loans may require you and your family to consider private student loans, which are often more expensive.
Thanks to grants, scholarships, and other financial aid, a college education is within every student’s reach in the Garden State!
Our Scholarships
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$1,500 – I Have a Dream
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$10,000 – Unigo $10K Award
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$1,500 – Sweet and Simple
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$2,500 – Superpower
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$3,000 – All About Education
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$1,500 – Fifth Month Scholarship
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$1,500 – Do-Over
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$1,500 – Flavor of the Month
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$1,500 – Make Me Laugh
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$1,500 – Shout It Out
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$2,000 – Zombie Apocalypse
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$5,000 – Education Matters
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$1,500 – Top Ten List
Written by Dave Moniz
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Edited by Unigo Staff