Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Newark City of Learning Collaborative

There are four main types of financial aid for college students: grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study funds. Grants are financial aid that does not have to be repaid and are offered by the federal and state government, as well as colleges, based on merit or need. Scholarships also do not require repayment and are offered by colleges and private organizations based on academic performance, athletic ability, religious affiliation, race, and other criteria. Loans are money that you borrow to attend college and are offered by the government and private organizations. Loans are repaid with interest. A work-study program provides students with federally funded jobs on campus or at other approved locations.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in the financial aid process. Complete the form online. You use it to apply for Federal student financial aid, such as grants, loans, and work-study. If students plan to attend college in New Jersey, they should also complete an application through the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) to be eligible for state-based aid.

Students can fill out the online FAFSA application at FAFSA.gov beginning October 1, 2020, using their computer or mobile phone. The paper version, known as the PDF FAFSA, can be printed and filled out manually or filled in on the screen prior to printing and mailing. The Newark FAFSA Challenge will be facilitating virtual FAFSA assistance completion appointments through June 2021.

When you complete the FAFSA, HESAA will send an email containing your NJ State/HESAA ID to the email address listed on the FAFSA. You will be instructed to create a New Jersey Financial Aid Management System (NJFAMS) User ID and password to log into your NJFAMS Student Portal. You can find your “To Do List” and “Award and Eligibility” information as well as other functions to assist you with your state aid process.

Students without established US citizenship or eligible non-citizenship status (as defined on FAFSA.gov) are not allowed to receive any federal student aid. However, due to legislation passed by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy in 2018, these students are eligible for state-based financial aid if they meet the following requirements:

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 with Selective Service (male students only)
Are able to file an affidavit stating that you have filed an application to legalize your immigration status or will file an application as soon as you are eligible to do so

The New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application is used by non-citizen students who meet all the eligibility requirements. HESAA processes the application, and any aid received can only be used at eligible New Jersey institutions.

Consideration of appeals of ineligibility for all HESAA applicants must be submitted in writing or e-mail within 60 days of your first notification, addressed to the Director of Grants and Scholarships at PO BOX 540, Trenton NJ, 08625-0540, or you can upload your appeal electronically through HESAA’s electronic document collection process. Please be sure to include the student’s NJHESAA ID number and student’s full name.

For more information about the types of financial aid available for students, please visit the following websites:

Federal Student Aid Financial Aid Toolkit – https://financialaidtoolkit.ed.gov/tk/resources/all.jsp
HESAA – https://www.hesaa.org/Pages/Default.aspx
College Board – https://www.collegeboard.org/
College Greenlight – https://www.collegegreenlight.com/
College Raptor – https://www.collegeraptor.com/

If you have additional questions about the Newark FAFSA Challenge please contact us via email at nclc.info@newark.rutgers.edu.