New Jersey State Aid

New Jersey Tuition Aid Grants (TAG)

Restricted to New Jersey residents who are enrolled full time in a New Jersey Higher Education Program (minimum of 12 credit hours per term). Award amount varies, based on student need. Students who wish to be considered for the Tuition Aid Grant must file the FAFSA. The New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) sends a Student Eligibility Notice (SEN) to the student with accompanying instructions. This first SEN may tell you that you are ineligible for tuition aid grants for the academic year at Pillar College because all programs of study are not approved for NJ State Grant and Scholarship programs.  This is a form letter.  You become eligible when the financial aid office updates HESAA’s system by changing one of HESAA’s codes.  If this has occurred, HESAA will then send another SEN with further instructions.  The student is responsible for informing HESAA of any changes to information that is incorrect on the SEN. The student should also submit these changes to the Office of Financial Aid.

Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholars Program (DSP).

The highest achieving students at New Jersey's secondary schools are offered $1,000 scholarships annually without regard to financial need. Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholars are students who place in the top 10 percent of their graduating class and have combined Scholastic Assessment Test I (SAT I) scores of at least 1260, or are ranked first, second, or third in their class. Additional scholarships are provided to students from the State's urban and economically distressed areas based on class rank and cumulative grade-point average. For more detailed information regarding additional NJ state aid, contact the financial aid office or go to: www.hesaa.org .

NJCLASS Loans

NJCLASS has become the popular choice among students and families who need assistance meeting the cost of their postsecondary education. NJCLASS allows students to borrow as much as they need to meet the cost of their education after other sources of student aid are exhausted. There are no annual and/or aggregate loan limits. In addition to tuition, NJCLASS may be used for school related expenses including fees, books, supplies, and room and board.

For student eligibility, credit requirements, loan terms, repayment options and repayment terms, check the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority website at www.hesaa.org.

NJ STARS II

For anyone who was able to participate in the NJ STARS program at a community college, as of the 2012-2013 award year the State of New Jersey is now offering to provide additional funding for those moving on to four-year schools.  If you benefitted from the NJ STARS contact HESAA to learn more about benefitting from NJ STARS II at Pillar.