New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities committed to college opportunity for new jersey citizens

150 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey 08608                       609-989-1100     609-989-7017 fax                   njascu@njascu.org

Paying for College

WHAT DOES IT COST TO GO TO COLLEGE?

Unlike a public school education, college education in New Jersey and most other states is not free.  However, at public colleges and universities in New Jersey, the state or country, or both, pay for most of the cost of your college education.  Don't let all the talk about the cost of college scare you away.  If you are capable of college work, you can find a way to handle the costs, even if you have to borrow money.  Depending on the school, the number of courses you take, and whether you live on campus, college can cost as little as a few thousand dollars a year or more than $30,000.  Amazing but true: paying less doesn't mean you won't get as good an education as those who pay more.

SINCE COLLEGE TUITION CAN COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR OR MORE, HOW DO STUDENTS PAY FOR IT?

Money is available to help pay college costs.  The money, called "financial aid," comes in various forms: loans (which you must pay back in years ahead); grants (which you don't have to pay back); and work study pay (which you earn while you learn).  There are also ways to save for college, including in New Jersey a program called NJBEST (see NJ Higher Education Student Assistance Authority).

WHO CAN GET FINANCIAL AID FOR COLLEGE EXPENSES?

Student financial aid is money that is available to help pay for the costs of college.  The amount of aid is usually based on the amount of money you can show you will need and your ability to keep getting good grades.  Many sources are available, including the federal government, state government, private organizations, religious bodies, and other groups.

Students from families that have either limited or moderate income usually qualify for the largest amounts of financial aid.  The amount depends on the family's other necessary expenses compared to their income.

IS A COLLEGE ADMISSIONS OFFICE MORE LIKELY TO REJECT ME IF I AM GOING TO NEED FINANCIAL AID?

No.  Financial need should not be a reason to deny someone admission.  If this were to happen, it would be very unusual.  However, not all colleges will be willing to make certain you get all the financial aid you need to cover expenses, once you are accepted.  Check out New Jersey's state colleges and universities.  They will do their best to make sure you don't have to drop out of college due to a lack of money.

DOES GOING TO AN EXPENSIVE COLLEGE MEAN I WILL GET A BETTER EDUCATION THAN I WOULD AT A LESS EXPENSIVE COLLEGE?

Not necessarily.  Colleges with high tuitions are not necessarily better than less expensive ones.  Public colleges have affordable tuition and also have fine programs.  Take New Jersey's state colleges/universities:  like many public colleges across the country, they offer a very fine education at a reasonable price.  They are a great value, especially for New Jersey residents, because the state pays a large part of the cost of running the colleges.  While independent colleges tend to have higher tuition prices, there are some great NJ financial aid programs that put them within reach.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BEST REASONS TO SEEK A COLLEGE EDUCATION IN NEW JERSEY?