There’s Still Time! Applying Through HESAA for Financial Aid in New Jersey

Don’t worry, there is still time left to apply for state-based financial aid in New Jersey. HESAA, the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, has compiled a list of deadlines for you to use as a reference. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the deadline dates below to make sure you don’t miss out on the possibility of receiving New Jersey state or federally funded student financial aid. We have included dates for the upcoming 2016-2017 school year, and we have also listed the deadlines for the 2017-2018 school year for those looking to plan ahead. You can always visit HESAA for more information on these programs and deadlines.

HESAA's FAFSA Filing Deadlines

The FAFSA must be RECEIVED by the Federal processor (not postmarked) by the dates below to be considered for the Tuition Aid Grant (TAG), Governor’s Urban Scholarship, NJ STARS and NJ STARS II programs:

2016-2017 Academic Year

All applicants (Fall 2016 and Spring 2017)	October 1, 2016
All applicants (Spring 2017 only)	March 1, 2017

2017-2018 Academic Year

2016-2017 TAG renewal applicants	April 15, 2017
All other applicants  (Fall 2017 and Spring 2018)	September 15, 2017
All other applicants (Spring 2018  only)	February 15, 2018

HESAA's Deadlines for completing State grant records (Applicant Information Requests (AIR), State verification, corrections, college code changes, etc.):

2016-2017 Academic Year

All applicants (Fall 2016 and Spring 2017)	November 15, 2016
All applicants (Spring 2017 only)	March 15, 2017

2017-2018 Academic Year

2016-2017 TAG renewal applicants (Fall 2017 and Spring 2018)	September 15, 2017
2016-2017 TAG renewal applicants (Spring 2018 only)	November 1, 2017
All other applicants (Fall 2017 and Spring 2018)	November 1, 2017
All other applicants (Spring 2018 only)	March 1, 2018

Here at HESAA, we want you to succeed both financially and academically. We hope you will write these deadlines down somewhere that you will see them frequently. Applying early is your best option for not missing a deadline, but you can also ask a family member to help you remember, write it down in a planner or calendar, or you can even set some reminders on your cell phone. There are lots of ways to make sure you get considered for these great New Jersey student financial aid options.

New Jersey Programs Quick Reference

Here is a list of the programs mentioned above. We have included a quick summary of each program. Besides the FAFSA, all of these are New Jersey based programs.

FAFSA – Free Application of Federal Student Aid

FAFSA is a government sponsored program that the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation. It provides student financial aid in the form of grants, student loans and a work-study program.

NJ TAG – New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant

NJ TAG is a state sponsored need-based program that awards grants covering up to the full cost of tuition to those attending select schools in New Jersey. One-third of all full-time students attending school in New Jersey receive grants through the NJ TAG.

Governor’s Urban Scholarship

The Governor’s Urban Scholarship Program, launched by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in 2012, is a merit-based scholarship program that benefits students in New Jersey’s economically challenged communities.

NJ STARS – New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship

The NJ STARS program was created by the State of New Jersey in 2004 to help provide financial aid for New Jersey’s highest achieving students.

NJ STARS II – New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship II

The NJ STARS II program provides funding for successful NJ STARS scholars who transfer to a New Jersey four-year public or private college or university to earn a bachelor’s degree.