State Programs

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority

The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) is the state agency that runs the Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) Program, Education Opportunity Fund Grants (EOF), New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students (NJCLASS) and various scholarship programs. They also have online services, tools, and other resources. 

Learn more about New Jersey Grants & Scholarships here.

Students and parent can access the NJ TAG Estimator This is an estimate of average award values for eligible, full-time recipients, to be used for planning purposes only. 

How do I apply for New Jersey State Aid?

The New Jersey Financial Aid Management System (NJFAMS) is available for all New Jersey students who apply for NJ state aid. NJFAMS is a user-friendly, real-time system. To create an account, click here.

Here are the HESAA 8 Steps to Apply for Federal and State Aid. Remember to complete the FAFSA every year.

FAFSA Processing Deadlines

  • April 15th - continuing students 
  • September 15th - new applicants
  • February 15th - all other applicants (Spring semester only)

Click on state deadlines for a complete list of deadlines. 

Additional Questions & Requested Documents

Each student who wishes to apply for New Jersey state aid will need to log in and set up an NJFAMS account. Students may need to provide requested documents or respond to additional questions to determine their state aid eligibility. After you have logged into your NJFAMS account, click on “To Do List” to see what is missing. You can submit the missing documents by uploading them. Click the link to upload: NJFAMS Upload document.

All fields on these (INJFAMS) forms are fillable except for the signature fields. Forms without required signature(s) will not be processed.

For a list of NJFAMS forms, click here:  NJ Grant Forms

Instructions:

You can also send your documents by mail to:

New Jersey Higher Educational Assistant Authority

4 Quakerbridge Plaza

Trenton, N.J. 08625

State Aid General Eligibility Requirements

To receive aid from the State of New Jersey, you must meet general federal aid eligibility requirements and:

  • Have a high school diploma or recognized equivalent
  • Demonstrate financial need
  • Be a U.S. citizen or non-citizen eligible to file the NJ Alternative Financial Aid application*
  • Be a legal resident of New Jersey for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to enrollment (NOTE: Eligible non-citizens must reside in New Jersey for 12 consecutive months after receiving permanent resident status from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to meet the State residency requirement.)
  • Be registered with Selective Service (if required)
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress
  • Be a full-time undergraduate student enrolled in an approved degree or certificate program
  • Not have a baccalaureate degree, or an associate degree if enrolled at a two-year college
  • Not have received the maximum allowable number of grant payments
  • Not be in default on a Federal or State student loan
  • Not owe a refund on a Federal or State grant
  • Not be enrolled in a program leading to a degree in theology or divinity

*NJ Alternative Application applicants must graduate from a NJ high school or have a NJ-issued GED