NJ STARS
Offered by Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) · Free to apply
Students who finish in the top 15.0 percent of their New Jersey high school class, measured at the end of junior or senior year, get full tuition at their county community college for up to five semesters and as many as 18 credits a term. The high school certifies the rank, so there is no essay and no interview, and HESAA applies the 15.0 percent line exactly, with no rounding. Family income must be under $250,000, and students have to enroll full time within five semesters of graduating. File the FAFSA, or the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application for Dreamers, and complete the state grant record in NJFAMS by September 15 for fall enrollment. A 3.0 cumulative college GPA by the start of the third semester keeps the award, and strong performers can carry NJ STARS II funding on to a four-year school.
How hard is the NJ STARS to win?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives.
- Estimated odds
- qualifying students generally receive it
- Paperwork
- ~1.5 hrs to file
What drives the odds here
Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.
- Fewer rivalsOpen only to New Jersey residents
- Fewer rivalsOpen to a single grade level only
- Fewer rivalsRequires a top 15% class rank
How Solyo estimates this: State programs that allocate by published formula are modelled on qualification and filing, not on competition, because there is no selection committee choosing between applicants. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.
Who can apply for the NJ STARS?
These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.
- Must be a resident of New Jersey
- Open to high school seniors
- Ranked in the top 15% of their high school class
- Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents (green card), DACA/Dreamer students, or undocumented students
- Must enroll full-time (12-18 credits) in a degree program at the home county college within 5 semesters of graduation (exceptions if the program is not offered or is oversubscribed)
- Must apply for all state and federal need-based aid and complete the state grant record in NJFAMS by the state deadlines
- Must rank in the top 15.0% of the class at the end of junior OR senior year (HESAA applies a hard cutoff at exactly 15.0% with no rounding), certified by the high school
- Must live in New Jersey for at least 12 consecutive months before high school graduation
- NJ Dreamers can qualify by filing the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application instead of the FAFSA
- Covers tuition only, less other state and federal grants; fees, books, and remedial coursework are not covered, and funding depends on annual state appropriations
- Renewal requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA at the start of the third semester (summer courses count toward the GPA)
What the application takes
No essay, recommendation letters, or transcript are required. This is one of the lighter applications in the directory.
Deadline and application cycle
The current deadline is September 15, 2026. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around September 15 each year. Applications open when the FAFSA opens on October 1. Rank certification comes from the high school, so confirm with the counseling office that HESAA has your top-15 percent standing before you graduate.
- FAFSA opens
- October 1, 2025
- High school certifies class rank to HESAA
- Spring of senior year
- FAFSA and NJFAMS state grant record due
- September 15, 2026
- 3.0 GPA check for year two
- Start of the third semester
Does your student actually qualify?
See if your student qualifies in 30 seconds. Solyo checks 20+ criteria against their real profile: GPA, state, grade level, intended major, and more, across every award in this directory at once.
Common questions about the NJ STARS
How much is the NJ STARS worth?
The NJ STARS awards full community college tuition (up to 5 semesters) and is renewable in later years.
When is the NJ STARS deadline?
The current deadline is September 15, 2026. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around September 15 each year. Applications open when the FAFSA opens on October 1. Rank certification comes from the high school, so confirm with the counseling office that HESAA has your top-15 percent standing before you graduate.
When do NJ STARS applications open?
Applications open when the FAFSA opens on October 1, and close September 15, 2026. Rank certification comes from the high school, so confirm with the counseling office that HESAA has your top-15 percent standing before you graduate.
Who is eligible for the NJ STARS?
Key requirements: Must be a resident of New Jersey; Open to high school seniors; Ranked in the top 15% of their high school class; Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents (green card), DACA/Dreamer students, or undocumented students.
Does the NJ STARS require an essay?
No essay is required. The application is light on requirements. Expect to spend about 1.5 hours on it.
How hard is it to win the NJ STARS?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives. Solyo classifies this award as formula-based, meaning qualifying students generally receive it. Plan on about 1.5 hrs of paperwork.
Is the NJ STARS free to apply?
Yes. The NJ STARS is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.
More state grants & programs
- 802 Opportunity GrantFull tuition and the $100 administrative fee at CCV (last-dollar)
- Access Missouri Financial Assistance ProgramVaries by SAI and school type per statutory table (amounts prorated if funding is short)
- Alabama Student Grant ProgramUp to $3,000/yr ($1,500 per semester; actual amount depends on state funding)
- Alaska Education Grant$500-$4,000/yr based on need and enrollment level
- Alaska Performance Scholarship$3,500-$7,000/yr depending on tier
- Arizona Promise ProgramFull tuition & mandatory fees at Arizona public universities (last-dollar)
Lists this award appears on
Award details are curated by Solyo and verified against the official scholarship page. Deadlines and requirements can change between cycles, so always confirm on the provider's site before applying.