NJ STARS Scholarship (NJ) Grant

NJ STARS Scholarship (NJ) Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
Last Updated: June 09, 2025

Summary

The NJ STARS Scholarship, managed by HESAA, offers financial support to New Jersey high school graduates who rank in the top 15% of their class. This merit-based scholarship covers tuition for up to 18 credit hours per semester at local community colleges for eligible students. To qualify, students must enroll full-time and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Funding is subject to state appropriations, ensuring that education remains accessible for deserving students.

Overview

HESAA, the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, is the only New Jersey state agency with the sole mission of providing students and families with financial and informational resources to pursue education beyond high school. Our Mission is to make education affordable. NJ STARS Scholarship The New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship (NJ STARS) is a merit-based scholarship that supports New Jersey high school graduates who rank in the top 15.0% of their class during their junior or senior years of high school and choose to enroll in their local community college after high school graduation. Qualifying students are eligible for NJ STARS awards that fully cover tuition at their home county college. The NJ STARS award covers the cost of tuition, less any State and/or Federal grants and scholarships, for up to five semesters. The award covers these charges for up to 18 credit hours per semester. Funding for NJ STARS awards is dependent upon annual State appropriations. Students who meet all requirements, having applied to their home county college will receive notification of their NJ STARS eligibility from their home county college.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. New Jersey residents who rank in the top 15.0% of their class at the end of either the junior or senior year of high school may be eligible to receive an NJ STARS award for attendance at their home county college.. Students must also complete a rigorous high school course of study. The New Jersey Council of County Colleges has determined that students who are in the top15.0% of their high school class are ready for college-level coursework.All students must enroll in a full-time course of study no later than the fifth semester following high school graduation.Students must enroll full-time in a degree program at their home county college, unless the student demonstrates that the home county college does not offer the desired program of study or the program is oversubscribed for at least one year.Except in limited situations defined by statute, students must take a minimum of 12 college level credits per semester. NJ STARS covers up to 18 college-level credits per semester.Students must meet residency requirements.Students must apply for all forms of State and Federal need-based grants and merit scholarships and submit any requested documentation to complete and verify application data within established State deadlines.Students must be U.S. citizens, eligible non-citizens or eligible to file the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application and live in New Jersey for a minimum of twelve consecutive months prior to high school graduation.Students must attain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher by the start of the second year of county college enrollment to meet the academic requirement for NJ STARS renewal.

Ineligibility

NJ STARS does not cover costs for remedial coursework.