�Financial Aid for�New Jersey High School Students and Families��2026-2027 Academic Year
The Mission
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
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Since 1959, the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority is the only State agency with the sole mission of providing students and families with the financial and informational resources to pursue their education beyond high school.
Financial Aid Application Graduation Requirement:��FAFSA, or if applicable�NJ Alternative App for NJ DREAMERS or an Approved Waiver
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New Jersey high school graduation requirement for students in the graduating classes of 2025,2026 and 2027:
Goals of Financial Aid Office
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
Primary goal is to assist students in paying for college and is achieved by:
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
Sources of Aid
Civic organizations (ex. local Rotary Club), parent’s employer, high school awards
Types of Financial Aid
_______________________
Paying for College with Student/Family Resource
Factors that may influence institutional aid, particularly merit-based aid�
Sources & Types of Aid
Net Price Calculator
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
Types of Aid - Federal
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
Grants
Federal Student Aid for Award Year 2025-26
. * 2026-27 award amounts subject to change
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
New Jersey State Grants 2025-26 Academic Year (2026-2027 award amounts to be determined July 2026) | |
Award Type | Award Amounts |
Full-Time TAG | $1,280 - $14,404 |
Part-Time TAG (community college only) | $320-$1,097 |
EOF (Educational Opportunity Fund) | Up to $3,050 includes college success support |
NJ STARS (top 15.0% of high school class junior or senior year) | Tuition Only - community college only |
NJ STARS II | Up to $2,500 per year – any NJ 4-year college |
Governor’s Urban Scholarship (for top 5.0% of high school junior year) | Up to $1,000 $500 Persistency Bonus |
NJ-GIVS (women and minorities) | Up to $2,000 - building trades only |
Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) | Up to full tuition and approved fees --AGI between $0 and $65,000 |
Garden State Guarantee (GSG) | Up to full tuition and approved fees --AGI between $0 and $65,000 |
Summer TAG | Up to 75% of the Fall or Spring TAG amount |
| 2026-2027 award amounts subject to change |
2025-2026
Award Amounts
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State Grants & Scholarship Requirements
Student’s application must be complete to receive TAG (Tuition Aid Grant) or any other state aid. Students must:
*Part-Time TAG, NJSTARS, CCOG, and EOF awards are available for county college students enrolled in 6-11 credits per semester.
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
Types of Aid:�State Grants & Scholarships
EOF (Educational Opportunity Fund)
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
Types of Aid:�State Grants & Scholarships
Governor’s Urban Scholarship
NJ STARS
NJ STARS II
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
Types of Aid:�State Grants & Scholarships
Types of Aid:�State Grants & Scholarships
Governor’s Industry Vocation Scholarship for Women & Minorities
NJ-GIVS
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG)
Pays for all or part of the cost of Tuition and Approved fees at a NJ county college
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Types of Aid:�State Grants & Scholarships
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
Garden State Guarantee
Pays for all or part of the cost of tuition and approved fees at a NJ state college
Types of Aid:�State Grants & Scholarships
eligible for TAG, NJSTARS, and/or CCOG
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
3 + 1 Degree Completion Programs
Loans & Financing Shortfall Solutions
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
�2026 – 2027 federal rates and fees are subject to change
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2026 – 2027 interest rates will be determined in June 2026
Other Loan Options to Cover the Gap�Borrow up to cost of attendance less other aid
*
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
HESAA.org
NJ Dreamer
Available by October 1, 2025
studentaid.gov
FAFSA
Available October 1, 2025
student.collegeboard.org/profile
CSS Profile
Available October 1, 2025
Applications to Access Aid
Register – Complete Application – Make payment – Submit
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
Application: CSS Profile
Website to apply for profile
https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/
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Website to apply for Noncustodial Profile:
https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/profile-for-parents
Participating CSS Institutions:
https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/profile/ppi/participatingInstitutions.aspx
Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
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Customer Support - 844-202-0524 | Live Chat Available
CSS Profile
Used to provide consent to obtain Federal Tax Information and digitally sign the FAFSA
Student and all Contributors must create a Federal Student Aid ID �(FSA ID) at www.studentaid.gov by clicking on “create account”
Student identifies who the Contributor(s) are and invites them via email to contribute to the FAFSA with an “Invite Code.” Each contributor must have their own separate FSA ID and password and will log in and provide the “Invite Code’ to begin.
Contributors include: Biological Parent, Stepparent, and Adoptive Parent
Who Needs an FSA ID?
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
2026-2027 Federal Student Aid ID
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
2026-2027 Federal Student Aid ID for Undocumented Contributors�
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
Free Application for Federal �Student Aid (FAFSA)
Contributors will be instructed to provide Federal Tax �Information from their 2024 tax return to be used to determine
the student's eligibility for federal student aid for Award Year 2026-27
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
2022
Get your 2024 tax return information for the
2026-27 form.
Federal Tax Information Consent
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
Key Eligibility �Requirements for FAFSA
Key Components of the FAFSA �
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
Applicants are instructed to log into “NJFAMS.HESAA.org” to create a user ID and password. In 3-5 business days, students can their check awards and eligibility status and complete any outstanding items on their “To Do” list (There is no separate State Application, only a To-Do List in the state’s NJFAMS system).
Please note, all notifications will be sent to the student email address listed on the FAFSA.
FAFSA Submission Summary
All Contributors will receive an individual
FAFSA Submission Summary
Federal & State Verification
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
New Jersey Dreamers
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
New Jersey
Financial Aid
Management
System - NJFAMS
NJFAMS – �Menu��ALL Students must register
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
Cost of Attendance
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
What Is The Student Aid Index �(SAI)?
Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
College | Community College | State College or University | Private College or University |
COA | $8,000 | $30,000 | $60,000 |
SAI Other Financial Aid | 8,667 1,000 | 8,667 1,000 | 8,667 1,000 |
Unmet Financial Need | $0 | $20,333 | $50,333 |
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Financial Need for Smith Family
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
October - March | Complete FAFSA application, college search, college application process, and CSS Profile |
February - May | Schools send financial aid offers |
June - July | Schools send Fall semester bills |
August | Bills are due |
The Cycle of Financial Aid
Where Do I Go From Here?
September 15, 2026 for Fall ‘26 and Spring ’27 ‘semesters and February 15, 2027 for Spring ‘27 ONLY awards
April 15, 2026 to renew your financial aid for Academic Year 2026-27
Note: After 1st year, students must renew ANNUALLY by April 15th, if the student received a State TAG award in the current year
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
The College Financing Plan�New Jersey Shopping Sheet
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
Aid Offer must replicate the Shopping Sheet
Other Resources
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
Private Scholarship Search
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
NJBEST 529 College Savings Plan
HESAA.org-��Apply for State Aid-�� Workshops �& Webinars�
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Live Webinars
NJ Dreamer Schedule - https://www.hesaa.org/Pages/NJAlternativeApplication.aspx
FAFSA Schedule - https://www.hesaa.org/Pages/FAFSA.aspx
Publications
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
HESAA Services
609-584-4480
Monday – Thursday: 8:30 – 8 and Friday: 8:30 – 5:00
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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
QUESTIONS?
Thank you