Unemployment Tuition Waiver
Unemployment Tuition Waiver
Unemployment Tuition Waiver
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A: 64-13.1 et seq. or 18A: 64A-23.1, the State of New Jersey created a program to allow certain unemployed individuals to attend a public institution of higher education in the state of New Jersey tuition-free on a space-available basis.
Tuition waivers enable eligible unemployed customers to enroll, tuition-free, in courses of instruction at public colleges and universities in New Jersey. These courses can only be attended if there are seats available. Books, labs and other appropriate fees are the responsibility of the student.
Eligibility and How to Apply
Eligibility Criteria
Before submitting a request for an Unemployment Tuition Waiver to our office, first check in with your local New Jersey Career Connections (formerly ) for additional information. They will use the criteria below to determine your eligibility for a tuition waiver.
- Student must be registered with a New Jersey Career Connections (formerly ), and complete an Employability Development Plan (EDP). They will require the following:
- Student must be unemployed and permanently separated from an employer, or have received a layoff notice.
- Student must be able to prove that he/she is currently not a student, have a two-year, full-time work history, and is seeking full-time employment.
- Student must have a minimum of two years presence in the labor market since completing secondary or post-secondary education.
- Student must choose a program of study in a within a 50-mile radius of his/her home.
- Student must be able to prove that they are not employable with their current level of skills and credentials. If a student has skills and credentials in a demand occupation, the student may not be deemed eligible.
- Student must plan to attend a public college or university in New Jersey.
- Student must not have already paid tuition and must not be in default on financial aid.
- Student must be admitted/accepted into the public college or university he/she plans to attend.
- A non-matriculated student is not eligible for the waiver.
- Student must apply for online or mail a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available on the
Processing Your Waiver
Step 1:
- After successfully completing the necessary steps with the New Jersey Career Connections (formerly ), student must be admitted/accepted to the public college or university they plan to attend.
Step 2:
- Student must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at . The school code for É«ÀÇÉçÇø is 002609.
- Student meets with an academic advisor and selects a program of study in a within a 50-mile radius of their home.
- Undergraduate matriculated students are required to complete an Income Reduction Appeal to determine eligibility for federal and state aid.
Step 3:
- A week prior to the semester beginning, the New Jersey Career Connections (formerly ) counselor will send the university the completed tuition waiver form with approved courses and the Employability Development Plan (EDP). The tuition waiver form and EDP must be delivered to the Financial Aid Office.
- Tuition waivers must be submitted and signed with the approved courses PRIOR to enrollment.
- During the fall and spring semesters, students must register for “approved” classes on the third day of the drop/add period. During the summer term, students can register on the first day of the class. Students must not be signed into or overridden into any of the courses.
- You can view registration dates online.
- Student must pay $20 processing fee to the Bursar’s Office after tuition waiver has been approved.
Information Information (Please Read)
- The tuition waiver will be processed after all eligible federal and state grants have been awarded first.
- Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) to maintain eligibility for the unemployment tuition waiver.
- Enrollment is limited to 17 credits per semester for undergraduate students and 9 credits per semester for graduate students.
- Students must not be in default on any federal student loans.