New Jersey Foster Care Scholars Program (incl. Statewide Tuition Waiver)
New Jersey Department of Children and Families (administered with embrella)
College and career-training funding for young people who spent time in NJ foster care: remaining tuition and fees at NJ public colleges, and help with books, housing, child care and more.
- How much
- varies; Statewide Tuition Waiver covers remaining tuition and fees at NJ public colleges
- Who qualifies
- youth with NJ foster care (CP&P) history
- Ages 16-25; high school diploma or GED/HSE; admitted to a Title IV-accredited degree/certificate program; and one of: 9+ months in CP&P out-of-home placement after age 16; 18+ months out-of-home after age 14; lived in a CP&P-approved independent living arrangement or transitional living program; adopted through CP&P after age 12; or left a CP&P placement for kinship legal guardianship after age 16. Tuition waiver portion requires full-time study at a NJ public college.
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
- When to apply
- Check dates Annual application per academic year via embrella; deadline not stated on the state pages.
- How to apply
- Applications for each academic year are posted by embrella (www.embrella.org/njfc-scholars-program/, 800-222-0047)
- File the FAFSA (or NJ Alternative Application for NJ Dreamers)
- What you'll need
- FAFSA + state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (nj.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
Umbrella program for the federal Education and Training Voucher (ETV), the Statewide Tuition Waiver and 'State Option' funding. Students eligible for the Statewide Tuition Waiver get remaining tuition and fees (not room and board) covered when attending full time at a NJ public college after federal and state aid. ETV/State Option students can get help with tuition and fees, books and supplies, computers, room and board, transportation and child care. Each student's case history determines the funding source.
More money from New Jersey
- Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Graduate Grant$200 to $4,900 per year
- Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Undergraduate Grant$200 to $3,050 per year
- NJ STARS IIup to $1,250 per semester (up to 4 semesters)
- Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG)remaining tuition (up to 18 credits per term) and approved fees after other grants
- Garden State Guarantee (GSG)covers remaining tuition and fees (net price of $0) in years 3 and 4
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.