Scholarships and Aid for Colleges in New Jersey

I'm a junior from New Jersey and I'm starting to look at colleges. Money is going to be a huge factor in my decision. I've heard that some NJ colleges offer a good amount of financial aid. Does anyone have any firsthand experience or advice about which colleges here are the most generous?

Absolutely, financial aid is a significant factor when choosing a college. In New Jersey, several colleges are known for their comprehensive financial aid packages.

Princeton University, for example, is recognized for its generous financial aid program. The university utilizes a grant-based financial aid policy, meaning they grant money to students that does not need to be repaid. This is especially helpful for students with financial need. In fact, the average aid award at Princeton is so significant, that the cost of attending is often less than the cost of state universities.

Another college worth considering is Rutgers University. While aid packages can vary, Rutgers does offer several scholarships reserved for in-state students such as the Rutgers Scarlet scholarship.

The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), has several merit-based scholarships as well, like the NJIT Presidential Scholarship. This covers full tuition, fees, room and board, and includes a stipend for books.

Remember, the state itself also offers aid programs for resident students, such as the Garden State Scholarship and Tuition Aid Grant. I highly recommend researching these options to take full advantage of the resources available to you.

Every student's financial situation and academic profile are different, so the aid you might receive can greatly vary. I suggest you use the net price calculators available on each college's website to estimate your potential financial aid package. This tool considers factors like your family's income, assets, and number of children in college to give you an estimate of what you might expect to pay. This can help guide your search to find a college that's a good fit academically, socially, and financially. Good luck!