NJ STARS (Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship)
Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA), New Jersey
Free tuition (up to 18 credits a semester, up to 5 semesters) at your home county college for NJ students in the top 15% of their high school class.
- How much
- tuition only (up to 18 credits per semester) at the home county college, less other grants, for up to 5 semesters
- Who qualifies
- Top 15.0% of high school class at the end of junior or senior year; NJ resident for at least 12 consecutive months before high school graduation (and meets state aid residency rules); full-time enrollment in a degree program at the home county college (another county college only if the program isn't offered or is oversubscribed); must apply for all state and federal grants. Renewal: 3.0 cumulative GPA at the start of the third semester.
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- US citizen, eligible non-citizen, or NJ Dreamer eligible to file the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application
- When to apply
- Open now · due February 15, 2027 Annual, FAFSA/NJ Alternative Application-driven. 2026-27: renewal TAG recipients April 15, 2026; all other students September 15, 2026 (fall + spring); spring-2027-only applicants February 15, 2027; complete the NJFAMS state record by October 1 (fall) / March 1 (spring). 2027-28: renewal April 15, 2027; all others September 15, 2027; spring 2028 only February 15, 2028.
- How to apply
- Apply for admission to your home county college, then file the FAFSA (or NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application) every year by the state deadline and complete your NJFAMS state record
- The county college notifies eligible students
- 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
Merit scholarship for New Jersey high school graduates ranked in the top 15.0% of their class at the end of junior or senior year (hard cut-off, no rounding) who enroll full time at their home county college. Covers tuition only (not fees, books) for up to 18 college-level credits per semester, less other state and federal grants, for up to five semesters; no summer payments; remedial coursework not covered. Must enroll full time (12+ college-level credits) no later than the fifth semester after high school graduation. Renewal requires a cumulative 3.0 GPA at the start of the third semester and continuous full-time enrollment (limited exceptions). Students who finish an associate degree with a 3.25+ GPA may continue with NJ STARS II. Three-plus-one degree programs: NJ STARS for the first three years.
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.