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NJ DREAM ACT

The New Jersey Tuition Equity Act

On January 7, 2014, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie ceremonially signed into law The New Jersey Tuition Equity Act (NJ DREAM Act). This law allows undocumented college students to pay in-state tuition rates. Please note that this law is entirely different than the DREAM Act being sponsored by the Federal Government.

The law extends in-state tuition rates to students who were brought illegally to the U.S. as children and as of May 9, 2018 extends potential State financial aid eligibility to these students.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Attended high school in this State for three or more years; and
  • Graduated from a high school in this State or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in this State; and
  • Registers as an entering student or is currently enrolled in a public institution of higher education not earlier than the fall semester of the 2013-2014 academic year; and
  • In the case of a person without lawful immigration status, files an affidavit with the institution of higher education (forms are available by contacting our Records and Registration Office in Green Hall) stating that the student has filed an application to legalize his immigration status or will file an application as soon as he is eligible to do so.

Please note: The student information obtained above will be kept confidential.

Financial Aid:

  • The State of New Jersey allows students under the New Jersey Tuition Equity Act to receive in-state tuition.
  • New Jersey Tuition Equity Act students are not eligible for federal education grants and/or loans.
  • Students are eligible to apply for State financial aid from the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. Please refer to their website (link below) for more information on the application and eligibility process:
    http://www.hesaa.org/Pages/NJAlternativeApplication.aspx
  • The College of New Jersey does not grant Scholarships to students under the New Jersey Tuition Equity Act.

Please refer to the following links for additional information:
http://recreg.tcnj.edu/nj-dream-act/
http://recreg.tcnj.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/166/2010/10/V.3.40-Residency_for_Tuition_Purposes-2.pdf

Contact

Office of Financial Aid
Green Hall, Room 101
The College of New Jersey
P.O. Box 7718
2000 Pennington Rd.
Ewing, NJ 08628

osfa@tcnj.edu
Tel. 609.771.2211
Fax. 609.637.5154

Office Hours: 8:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.
Monday through Friday

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