Federal and State Grants

About Grants

Like scholarships, grants are gift aid that does not need to be repaid. Grants are awarded to students based solely on financial need. To be considered for any grants, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA®) form.

PELL Grant

The Pell Grant is a federal grant for undergraduate students with financial need. Amounts can change yearly. For the 2023-2024 award year (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024) the maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $7,395. The amount you get will depend on:

Your financial need,
You cost of education,
Your status as a full-time or part-time student, and
Your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

Institutions are given a restricted amount of SEOG funds each academic year by the U.S. Department of Education. Students who will receive Federal Pell Grants and have the most financial aid will receive FSEOGs first. Once the full amount of the school’s FSEOG funds has been awarded to students, no more FSEOG awards can be made for that year. Since funds are limited, the University's Priority filing deadline for FAFSA is March 1st.

Tuition Aid Grant (TAG)

A Tuition Aid Grant is a state financial aid program that is administered by the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA). TAG awards go to full-time undergraduate students enrolled in an approved degree or certificate program. Students must be legal residents of New Jersey for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to enrollment. One third of all full-time undergraduate New Jersey residents attending school in New Jersey receive support through TAG.

TAG awards may cover up to the cost of tuition and the award depends on several factors, including:

Financial need
Cost of attendance
Available funding

2023-2024 Academic Year State Application Deadline
The FAFSA must be RECEIVED by the federal processor (not postmarked) by the dates indicated below to be considered for a Tuition Aid Grant (TAG):

2022-2023 TAG recipients – Renewal applicants for Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 – April 15, 2023

All other applicants – Non-renewal applicants for Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 – September 15, 2023

Opportunity Scholarship Program (EOF)

The Opportunity Scholarship (OSP) is the name for the statewide Educational Opportunity Fund Grant (EOF) at New Jersey City University. This fund is awarded to both undergraduate and graduate students from economic and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. The fund assists low-income New Jersey residents who are capable and motivated but lack adequate preparation for college study. Grants are renewable annually based upon satisfactory academic progress and continued financial eligibility. Undergraduate grants range from $1,300 to $1,550 per year and graduate grants up to $2,300 per year depending on college costs and financial need.

Eligibility Requirements:

Students who have been New Jersey residents for 12 consecutive months prior to the award period.
Students who demonstrate "historical poverty" as defined by EOF guidelines as well as adhere to family size and income cut–off.
Students who are enrolled full-time.

The office of the Opportunity Scholarship Program is located in Vodra Hall, room 211.

NJ Stars II

The NJ STARS II Program is a continuation of the NJ STARS Program that provides successful NJ Stars students from New Jersey county community colleges with funding to transfer to a New Jersey four year college or university to earn a bachelor’s degree.

NJ STARS students must have graduated from a NJ county college with an associate degree and a GPA of 3.25 or higher.

The NJ STARS II award will be based on tuition only, except for Tuition Aid Grant recipients who will receive NJ STARS II awards based on tuition and approved fees. The amount of the NJ STARS II award will be determined after all other State and Federal grants and scholarships are applied to these charges, not to exceed $1,250 per semester.