New Jersey benefits for college students
What New Jersey students can get beyond financial aid: NJ SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) food assistance, NJ FamilyCare health coverage, child care help, phone and internet discounts and tax credits, with each program's own rules and application. Each section links to the full rules.
Checked against official sources October 11, 2026
Food assistance: NJ SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
New Jersey's name for SNAP, run by New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development, through County Social Service Agencies. If you are enrolled at least half-time, you need a student exemption to qualify, such as working 20 hours a week, work-study or caring for a young child. If you are enrolled less than half-time, the student rule does not apply and only the regular SNAP rules do. See every exemption →
NJ SNAP has a college-student section and FAQ. Students 18-49 enrolled at least half time must meet at least one requirement; New Jersey adds: being enrolled in an approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program at a New Jersey community college (your school's financial aid office or registrar can confirm whether your program is approved, and the county agency needs verification from the school). Other options listed: working at least 20 hours a week and paid, federal work study, on-the-job training, caring for a household dependent under 6, single parent enrolled full time with a dependent under 12, unable to work due to disability, or receiving Work First New Jersey (WFNJ/TANF) cash assistance. There is an NJ SNAP Student Eligibility Verification Form.
Apply for NJ SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) · New Jersey's page for students
Health coverage: NJ FamilyCare
New Jersey has expanded Medicaid, so adults with low incomes, students included, can qualify based on income. All your health coverage options →
Child care help: Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
Going to college or training can count, with limits. School counts toward the activity requirement, but only in a two-year associate's or four-year bachelor's degree program at a college or university aimed at a degree or credential for employment (no graduate school). Full-time school means 12 or more credit hours per term (9 or more in summer). Asynchronous online coursework is limited (no more than 6 credit hours a semester for full-time students, 3 for part-time). Job training must be at least 20 hours a week. The page also says applicants must work and/or attend school/job training a minimum of 30 hours a week in total.
Apply for Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) · Help on campus (CCAMPIS) →
Phone and internet: Lifeline
We found no extra state Lifeline discount on New Jersey's official pages, so the federal discount applies. Who qualifies →
Taxes
A percentage of the federal EITC for New Jersey residents who earn income; unlike the federal credit, residents at least 18 with no dependents can qualify (a fixed $260 for tax year 2025 if no one else can claim them), and you must file an NJ-1040 even if your income is below the filing threshold. NJ Online Filing, run by the Division of Revenue/Taxation, is a free service that most resident and non-resident taxpayers can use to e-file their New Jersey income tax return directly with the state. The Division of Taxation also offers SimpleFile, a free tool for people with low or no income to claim the NJ Child Tax Credit.
New Jersey Earned Income Tax Credit (NJEITC) · Free state filing · Federal education tax credits → · Free federal filing →
Keep looking
We explain programs; New Jersey's agencies decide who gets them. Spot something wrong? Tell us.