At HESAA, our mission is to provide students and their families with financial information and resources to help those wishing to pursue education beyond high school. We have lots of information about different types of student financial aid options on our website, but today we are going to share information about the New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant (New Jersey TAG) program. This need-based grant is one of the most generous programs in the nation, and the program is also one of the most popular. One-third of all full-time students attending school in New Jersey receive grants through the New Jersey TAG. Support through New Jersey TAG isn’t limited to just full-time students either. Part-time students attending a county school taking between 6-11 credits are also eligible for an award.
What You Should Know About TAG:
NJ TAG Benefits
Awarded grants through New Jersey’s TAG program may cover up to the full cost of tuition. The amount that you receive is based on several things including the cost of attendance, your financial need, and the availability of funds.Another great benefit is that the grant may be renewed annually as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
To give you an idea of what the maximum grant awards are for 2016-2017 take a look at the list below:
- County Colleges - $2,680
- State Colleges & Universities - $7,096
- Independent Colleges & Universities - $12,438
- Rowan - $8,080
- Rutgers - $9,468
- NJIT - $10,986
Verify Your Eligibility
Before you apply, make sure you read through the following requirements to make sure you are eligible to receive a grant:- Have a high school diploma or recognized equivalent
- Demonstrate financial need
- Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen
- Be a legal resident of New Jersey for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to enrollment
- 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
In addition the eligibility requirements, there are a few things that disqualify you from receiving a grant. Take a look at the reasons below and make sure you are eligible before applying.
- You have a bachelor degree or associate degree if enrolled at a two-year college
- You received the maximum allowable number of grant payments
- You owe a refund of a Federal or State grant
- You are in default on a Federal or State loan
- You are enrolled in a program leading to a degree in theology or divinity
Know the Deadlines
The Federal Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA) must be received (not postmarked) by the federal processor by the dates indicated below to be considered for TAG:2017 - 2018 Academic Year
- Renewal TAG recipients - April 15, 2017
- All other applicants (fall semester or full academic year) - September 15, 2017
- All other applicants (spring semester only) - February 15, 2018
Apply through HESAA
Applying for the New Jersey TAG is easy. Once you’ve filled out your FAFSA, simply register for an account at HESAA and submit the additional New Jersey questions before the deadline. We’ve done our best to make the application process easy. In fact, we even have an online estimator that will help you estimate your potential TAG award. We encourage you to use this financial planning tool early to assist in your financial preparations.We hope you have a better understanding of what the New Jersey TAG program is about and what it can potentially offer you. We encourage all qualified students interested in attending school in New Jersey at one of our participating institutions to apply for this grant. If you end up not qualifying for a New Jersey TAG grant, visit HESAA to see what other student financial aid options might work for you.
