State of New Jersey Supports Students and Families Headed Back to College This Fall

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority Encourages Residents to Explore All Available Educational Resources in New Jersey

 
TRENTON, NJ — As students head back to school this fall, the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) is encouraging New Jersey families to make use of the many educational resources available to young parents, current college students, and recent graduates. From college savings plans to financial aid support, now is the time for students to access the information and resources they need to pursue an affordable college degree in the Garden State.

For high school seniors considering college next fall, a new edition of HESAA's publication 'Going to College in New Jersey' is now available online to help them explore their options. The magazine features information on State financial aid, a profile of every financial aid-eligible college and university in New Jersey, and a comprehensive directory of the many two and four-year degree programs offered by those institutions.

If any college freshmen still haven't completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application for the current academic year, HESAA is hosting free webinars this month to help students complete the 2026-2027 FAFSA in time to meet the upcoming State deadline of September 15, 2026. Once the federal government opens the 2027-2028 FAFSA to all students on October 1, HESAA will host even more webinars each week to guide families through the process of applying for federal and State financial aid for the upcoming academic year. Webinar dates and times are listed here.

“HESAA is dedicated to administering programs that help make higher education more affordable for New Jersey residents who will be, or already are, seeking a college degree in our state," said Acting HESAA Executive Director Jerry Traino. “We remain committed to supporting students and their families through helpful resources that help them navigate the process of saving for college, finding an institution that suits their needs, and financing their pursuit of a postsecondary education. I strongly encourage all current and prospective students to explore every option available to them in our state."

For parents whose children are not yet old enough to start considering their postsecondary options, College Savings Month is the perfect time to open an NJBEST 529 College Savings Plan to begin investing in their student's future. These tax-advantaged plans allow parents, relatives, and even friends of the family to start saving for a child's future tuition, fees, room and board, supplies, and other educational expenses at a college, university, vocational school, or even certified apprenticeship program.

New Jersey offers incentives to encourage residents to open an NJBEST 529 plan, including:

• A one-time matching grant of up to $750 of the initial deposit a New Jersey resident with an eligible income makes into a new NJBEST 529 plan for a new beneficiary;
• A State tax deduction of up to $10,000 per year for contributions into an NJBEST 529 plan; and
• A one-time scholarship opportunity of up to $6,000 for student beneficiaries who attend a New Jersey college, depending on how much was contributed into the NJBEST 529 plan and how long the account was open.

 
Interested residents can learn more and get started here.

For current students who are seeking to cover any remaining college costs after all applicable savings and financial aid have been applied to their balance, HESAA supports families in finding and understanding their financing options. The NJCLASS loan offered by HESAA is available to both undergraduate and graduate students who are either New Jersey residents or are attending college in our state. NJCLASS offers a lower APR than Parent PLUS loans with fixed interest rates that help borrowers choose the repayment option that works best for them.

Recent college graduates who need more manageable monthly payments may also be eligible to consolidate their NJCLASS loans or refinance their NJCLASS, Federal Parent PLUS, and/or School-Certified Private Educational Loan(s) through additional HESAA programs. Information on each of these financing options can be found at www.njclass.org.

Additionally, recent college graduates now joining the workforce are encouraged to see whether they may qualify for student loan relief under one of the many student loan redemption programs administered by HESAA. Certain teachers, STEM employees, and behavioral healthcare providers are among the professionals who can apply for student loan relief in exchange for their service in high-need fields.

Pre-K through 12 teachers in eligible schools who teach high-need subjects such as math and world languages have until September 30, 2026 to submit an application for the New Jersey Teacher Loan Redemption Program. Information on each HESAA student loan redemption program can be found here.

Students and families can contact the HESAA Customer Care team with any State financial aid questions by emailing CustomerCare@hesaa.org or calling 609-584-4480.

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HESAA, the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, is the New Jersey state authority with the sole mission of providing students and families with financial and informational resources for students to pursue their education beyond high school. For more information, visit www.hesaa.org.​

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