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Financial Aid

Hamilton Township School District

Office of School Counseling

Financial Aid

We have created this page for our families to use as a resource for information on federal and state financial aid, scholarships, and so much more!  Please utilize the links as necessary and view our recorded workshops as well as other videos pertaining to the next journey in our students' lives.

Learn About Financial Aid Requirements

Governor Murphy signed a bill that requires the Class of 2025 students to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or N.J. Alternative Financial Aid Application to graduate high school. HTSD will host multiple Financial Aid presentations this fall. The anticipated date for the FAFSA opening is October 1st.

 

There are several types of financial aid, including grants, scholarships, work-study and federal or private student loans. Families can research the financial aid application requirements and deadlines for the schools of interest to a prospective student. For example, some schools ask for a form called the CSS Profile, or College Scholarship Service Profile, in addition to the FAFSA.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid - FAFSA

Also, available in Spanish. (También disponible en español)

The federal government awards around $125 billion in student aid every year in the form of grants, loans, and work-study, and some portion of that money could be yours.

The FAFSA also considers several other factors along with income. So, even if you think your family makes “too much money” to qualify for aid, you should always apply anyway. After all, the form is free, and you really don’t have anything to lose.  

Even if you are not eligible for a federal grant, you might still be awarded work-study or federal loans, which usually offer lower rates and gentler repayment terms than anything you can get from a private bank or other lender.  

Please visit the FAFSA Website for more information and how to apply for financial aid. 

You will need to create a FSA ID to sign your FAFSA Application.  This process can take 5-10 business days to receive approval from the federal government.  Click here on How to Create a FSA ID

The 2024-2025  Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opened in December 2023. 

2024-2025 FAFSA Deadlines:  Includes the Federal, College & Career/Trade Schools, and State Deadlines

 

Federal Student Aid - Click here for English and Spanish Resources and Videos

HESAA - Higher Education Student Assistance Authority - NJ State Financial Aid

All students who choose to study in New Jersey should create an account in HESAA's New Jersey Financial Aid Management System (NJFAMS) - NJ FAMS Account Login

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 for students to pursue their education beyond high school.

HESAA Guide for NJ Financial Aid and attending college:  HESAA NJ College Resource Guide

HESAA Publications: English and Spanish resources provided by HESAA for different options of what you may need (applying for financial aid, scholarships & grants, loans, savings, student support services, choosing a college and more.

A brief list of programs and services appears below.

Need-based programs

  • The New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) - can only be used by NJ schools.
  • Part-time TAG for County College students
  • The Governor's Urban Scholarship Program
  • The Governor's Industry Vocations Scholarship (NJ-GIVS)
  • The Garden State Guarantee (GSG) is New Jersey's promise to make a college degree more accessible and affordable.  New Jersey residents who attend an in-state, public, four-year institution and have an annual adjusted gross income (AGI) between $) and $65,000 will pay a net price of $0 for tuition and fees during their third and fourth years of study.  Students who have AGIs between $65,001 and $80,000 will pay a discounted net price of no more than $7,500 for tuition and fees.  GSG covers the cost of tuition and fees that are not already covered by federal and state financial aid or other scholarships.  Students must be enrolled full time (at least 12 credits per semester) and must be working toward completing their first Bachelor's degree.
  • Community College Opportunity Grant (Free tuition for those whose household income does not exceed an adjusted gross income of $65,000)

Merit-based programs

  • New Jersey Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship
    • NJ STARS and NJ STARS II

New Jersey's 529 college savings plan

  • The New Jersey Better Education Savings Trust (NJBEST)

New Jersey's supplemental student loan program

  • New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students (NJCLASS)

State and federal loan redemption programs

Service Academy Information - Congressman Chris Smith's Academy Information Page  

Military Information

If you are interested in more information regarding the military, please go to the following website for a comprehensive guide on all the service branches along with the benefits that they can offer.  http://www.military.com

Financial Aid Resources for New Jersey Dreamers

The New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application allows undocumented students enrolled in eligible New Jersey colleges and universities to apply for state financial aid.

Who should complete this application?

Complete this application if you are not a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen and meet all of the following criteria; 

  • Attended a New Jersey high school for at least three (3) years
  • Graduated from a New Jersey high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in New Jersey
  • Registered for Selective Service (male students only)
  • Are able to file an affidavit stating that you will file an application to legalize your immigration status or will file an application as soon as you are eligible to do so

Please click on the following link: http://www.hesaa.org/Pages/NJAlternativeApplication.aspx

NJ STARS

...free tuition is in the stars!

NJ residents who rank in the top 15% of their class at the end of their junior or senior year of high school may be eligible to receive a NJ STARS award for attendance at their home county college.

New Jersey community college NJ STARS students who earn their associate's degrees with a 3.25 grade point average or better are eligible for up to a $2,500 per year NJ STARS II scholarship at any New Jersey public or independent NJ TAG-participating four-year college or university.  Visit the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) HESAA Website for more information. 

For more details on NJ STARS click NJ STARS

For more details on NJ STARS II click NJ STARS II 

For any additional information, please contact Mercer Community College or any of the participating four-year public colleges and universities.

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

 
The HTSD Office of School Counseling provides students of all grade levels with a comprehensive list of local, regional, and national scholarships which is available SchooLinks .
 

How To Apply for A Scholarship:

It is the student's responsibility to seek any scholarship application. Please remember to research school-specific scholarships as well.  Once a student has determined that he/she has met all of the eligibility criteria for a scholarship, interested applicants should:

    • Complete the application
    • Thoroughly review and edit your essay if required
    • Adhere strictly to all deadlines and instructions included in the application

If an Official Transcript Is Required:

    • Complete a "Transcript Release" form, valid for 1 year (parent/guardian signature required)
    • Complete one "Transcript Request" form for each scholarship requested
    • Submit all completed transcript forms directly to the student's school counselor at least 10 school days prior to the application deadline
    • Students can pick up an official transcript from school.  The counselor will notify students when the official transcript is ready.  Leave the official transcript sealed, otherwise the transcript is unofficial.  Students can then send an official transcript and all other materials to the respective scholarship organization.

If a Counselor or Teacher Recommendation is required:

  • Please make sure to check with your school counselor to ensure that you are following the correct procedure.
  • Allow 10 school days for all counselor or teacher recommendations requested

Nationally Based Scholarships:

College Covered
Raise Me
Fast Web
Cappex
UNIGO
StudentScholarshipSearch
Scholarships.com
SCHOLLY
College Board: Big Future
Go Merry
Studentscholarships.org/

Additional Scholarship Sites:

College View  http://www.collegeview.com

CollegeNet  http://www.collegenet.com

CollegeXpress  http://www.collegexpress.com

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators  http://www.finaid.org

Peterson’s Education Center   http://www.petersons.com

Scholarships   http://www.fedmoney.org

The National Commission for Cooperative Education http://www.co-op.edu 

The Chamber of Commerce:  https://www.chamberofcommerce.org/best-college-scholarships