Governor's Industry Vocations Scholarship (NJ-GIVS)
Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA), New Jersey
Up to $2,000 a year for two years for women and students of color in construction-related programs at NJ county colleges, vo-techs and trade schools.
- How much
- up to $2,000 per year for up to two years
- Who qualifies
- Only some students qualify. The official page explains who.
- Women or members of a minority group as defined in N.J.A.C. 17:46-1.2; household income below $60,000 per the financial aid application; NJ resident 12 consecutive months (or NJ Dreamer law); high school diploma or GED; enrolled in an eligible construction-related program at an eligible institution; satisfactory academic progress.
- For trade school students, students starting college, undergrads
- For construction trades, engineering technology, construction management students
- US citizen, eligible non-citizen, or NJ Dreamer eligible to file the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application
- Need-based: your FAFSA decides how much you get.
- When to apply
- Open now · due December 1, 2026 Annual: NJ-GIVS application in NJFAMS by December 1 (fall semester) and June 1 (spring semester); FAFSA by the state deadline. First-come, first-served.
- How to apply
- File the FAFSA (or NJ Alternative Application) by the state deadline AND complete the NJ-GIVS application in your NJFAMS account by December 1 (fall semester) or June 1 (spring semester)
- What you'll need
- FAFSA + state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (hesaa.org), page 2 and page 3
The details
Funded by the NJ Schools Development Authority and administered by HESAA. Pays up to $2,000 per year (or up to tuition) after other aid, for up to two years, first-come first-served while funding lasts. Eligible programs include building construction, carpentry, electrical trades, HVAC/R, plumbing, welding, masonry, surveying, engineering/engineering technology, CAD, construction management, cybersecurity, drone technology, solar/sustainable energy and more, at NJ's 18 county colleges, county vocational-technical schools, and Eastwick College / Ho-Ho-Kus School of Trade. Renewable for one more year with a new NJ-GIVS application.
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.