Frequently Asked Questions

What forms are needed to apply for Financial Assistance?

For federal student aid (Pell Grant, Federal Direct Loans, and Work-Study), one must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. The FASFA is also used to apply for state financial aid (NJ Tuition Aid Grant and Educational Opportunity Grant).

When do I apply for financial assistance?

You must file every year if you expect to receive financial assistance. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Renewal FAFSA can be completed after October 1st. The FAFSA/RFAFSA must be received by the federal processor by March 1st in order to assure that the student is given “Priority Application” consideration. While the amount of aid may not differ, the type of aid may be enhanced for a “Priority Application.”

What types of financial assistance are covered by this application?

All forms of federal aid, including Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Direct Loan, and Work-Study, are covered. In addition, the state of New Jersey uses the FAFSA as a means of applying for two state grants; the Tuition Aid Grant and the Educational Opportunity Fund Grant.

What do I do with a FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS)?

Keep your FSS for your records. Please read and review it. If you listed The College of New Jersey (Title IV code # 002642) on your FAFSA, the Office of Student Financial Assistance at TCNJ will receive your application information electronically.

Am I eligible for some type of federal assistance if I apply?

Yes, with disclaimers. Most students are eligible to receive federal assistance in the form of student loans. The Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Programs are the largest form of assistance awarded to TCNJ students.  Exceptions to this statement are those students who do not meet eligibility requirements of citizenship, matriculation, or default/repayment.

How do I apply for the Federal Work-Study Program?

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and answer yes to the questions, “Are you interested in being considered for work-study?”

Is there an income level cutoff above which certain families are not eligible for financial assistance?

Aid eligibility depends upon the household’s income, size of household, number in college (for state aid), assets of the household, and cost of attendance. Please refer to this link for additional information: https://financialaid.tcnj.edu/general-fafsa-information/.

Is a student applying for financial assistance required to submit federal income tax forms?

No. Only students selected for institutional, state, or federal verification are required to submit additional documentation. TCNJ will notify students regarding the type of additional documentation required to complete their file. Some programs (such as EOF) have standard documentation requirements which supersede other verification categories.

Can students receive institutional, state, or federal assistance in excess of the Cost of Attendance (COA)?

Regulations associated with institutional, state, and federal assistance programs prohibit students from exceeding the Cost of Attendance.

Does the United States Department of Education use a standard formula established by Congress to determine a family’s ability to contribute to a student’s education? Does this Student Aid Index (SAI) remain constant regardless of the institution the student attends?

Yes. While the student’s eligibility for assistance may vary from institution to institution as tied to cost or other factors, the ability of the family to contribute to the education remains constant.

At what point should I begin to look into what financial assistance is available to me?

Students should begin researching financial assistance sources as early as possible. They may start filling out applications in their senior year in high school. There are many places where the search can be made: high school guidance offices; libraries; bookstores; college financial assistance offices; and the Internet.

Do I need to be admitted before I can apply for financial assistance at a particular university?

No. You may apply for financial assistance any time after October 1.  To actually receive funds, however, you must be admitted and enrolled at the college.

Do I send our income tax information with the FAFSA or send them to you?

Never send anything with the FAFSA. If the Office of Student Financial Assistance requires a copy of your IRS Income Tax Transcript, it will be requested at a later date.

Does TCNJ have an institutional form for the Office of Student Financial Assistance?

No.

Can I get help filling out my FAFSA?

You should complete the form on your own as much as possible. The Office of Student Financial Assistance will gladly answer any questions you may have along the way.

What is the Financial Assistance Title IV College Code for TCNJ?

The College Code is 002642.

How does TCNJ receive my FAFSA information?

If you have received a FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) with our college code listed (002642), you may be reasonably sure that the college has received your information electronically. You are encouraged to verify this with the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

What other sources of assistance are available?

There are many local, state, and national organizations which grant scholarship funds. Financial Assistance has a database of outside sources now available to students. The Financial Aid Information Page (http://www.finaid.org/), a site developed by Mark Kantrowitz for the National Association of Financial Aid Administrators, is a comprehensive guide to all aspects of financial assistance.  Also known as the FinAidPage, this resource includes an estimator of family contributions and needs, a free scholarship search service called Fast Web, a loan repayment calculator, and many other items of interest.

Which of the following resources: Grants, Scholarships, Loans, and Work are considered “financial assistance”?

All of the above resources are considered to be “financial assistance.”  Grants, scholarships, and loans are considered financial assistance resources whether they originate from institutional, state, federal, or external sources.

Why did my financial need change?

Since need represents the difference between the total costs of attending TCNJ and the ability of you and your family to contribute, any change in your family’s situation or TCNJ’s charges may mean a change in need.

Are there alternatives for a student whose parents have been denied a Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)?

A student whose parents have been denied a PLUS may pursue alternatives such as additional student borrowing under the Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan or various loan options through the New Jersey CLASS Loan Program.

If my parents are separated or divorced, whose income should be reported?

Financial information will be required from the parent(s) who provided the most financial support to the student in the previous 12 months prior to completing the FAFSA. Therefore, the parent with the higher income must provide their information on the FAFSA.

If I have a step-parent in the household, must their income be reported on the FAFSA?

Yes. Dependent students are required to provide step-parent income as the household upon which the student depends is maintained by the combined income of the natural parent and step-parent.

If I live off-campus, is my financial assistance affected?

Financial aid can pay for off-campus housing as long as you’re enrolled at least half time in an eligible program. Under federal law, we are required to include a specific allowance for rent and food when you live off campus, and any aid that exceeds your tuition and fees gets refunded directly to you for those living expenses.

What financial assistance issues arise when taking time off from school?

Traditionally, students may be eligible for up to a 6 month grace period before loan repayment begins. For more information we recommend you reach out to your loan servicer directly https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers.

How do I become an independent student for federal aid purposes?

Step Three of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines if you are classified as an independent student. If you answer yes to any question, you are considered an independent student. Step Three of the FAFSA has more detailed information regarding independent status.

If I take courses at a different institution during the summer, do I need a financial assistance transcript?

No.

My dad lost his job within this past year. How should I fill out the FAFSA form for next year?

Please visit the Special Circumstances webpage in order to complete the proper change of circumstance form.

Will my financial assistance accompany me if I transfer to another college?

If a current TCNJ student is transferring before the start of the academic year (i.e., the fall semester), the student must apply for financial assistance at the college to which they are transferring. The student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using the other institution’s school code.

Is financial assistance available for summer?

Yes, but only if a student is enrolled at least half-time and has not exhausted their grant and/or loan eligibility during the past academic year. All students who wish to receive financial assistance for the TCNJ Summer Session must file a TCNJ Summer Session Financial Aid Application (available March 1st via the Office of Student Financial Assistance website) in addition to having filed the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA for the current academic year.

Can I get assistance to study abroad?

Yes. You must complete the FAFSA to determine your eligibility as usual.  However, if the study abroad program is not sanctioned by TCNJ, the student must obtain and return completed Consortium Agreement paperwork.

What are the requirements and/or standards of the Educational Opportunity Fund Program (EOF)?

The student must meet the EOF income eligibility that considers the number in household vs gross income and academic standards set forth by the Office of Admissions at TCNJ.

Do I need to submit a financial assistance transcript from my previous school, even if I did not receive any financial assistance?

No.

If I have a degree and want to return to school to pursue a teacher’s certification or another undergraduate degree, am I eligible for financial assistance?

A student who already has an undergraduate degree may only be eligible for the Federal Direct Loan program if they have not already exhausted their maximum eligibility as an undergraduate student. The limits are listed below:

$31,000 as a dependent undergraduate student (only $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans).

$57,500 as an independent undergraduate student (only $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans).

What is the difference between the Office of Student Accounts and the Office of Student Financial Assistance?

These two offices are located in different places but are under the same administrative area. The Office of Student Financial Assistance processes scholarships, grants, loans, and Work-Study. The Office of Student Accounts processes tuition bills, collects payments, issues parking decals and ID cards, and handles inquiries regarding the third-party tuition payment plan.

What is “Estimated Financial Aid”?

“Estimated Financial Aid” includes grants, scholarships, Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized), and/or private loans which have been certified by the Office of Student Financial Assistance. This estimated aid is what will be used to cover your term bill.

Additionally, Federal Nursing Loan awards are not included in “Estimated Financial Aid” unless the student has accepted this loan via PAWS.

How am I considered for a TCNJ scholarship?

You must complete an admissions application to be considered for a TCNJ scholarship. There is no separate application for scholarships.

Is merit-based assistance at TCNJ administered by the Office of Student Financial Assistance?

No, eligibility for merit-based awards at TCNJ is determined by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Does TCNJ award athletic grants or scholarships?

As a Division III NCAA institution, TCNJ may not award any assistance based on athletic performance to student athletes.

What are the minimum credits required to be eligible for graduate aid?

A graduate student needs to be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for Federal Direct Loans. https://financialaid.tcnj.edu/sources-of-financial-aid/financial-assistance-for-graduate-students/

Is there grant and scholarship assistance available for graduate students at TCNJ?

The OSFA presently has no institutional, state, or federal grant or scholarship programs available for graduate students.

Do I have to report an address change to the Office of Student Financial Assistance?

No. All changes made to your address or name need to be reported to the Office of Records and Registration. Students may update their address online via their PAWS portal.

How are loan proceeds paid?

Federal Direct Loan funds are sent directly to the school for payment of their semester bill. The first time you borrow a Federal Direct Loan from TCNJ, you must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Loan Entrance Counseling (LEC).

What if I have a credit balance on my student account?

All questions regarding refunds should be directed to the Office of Student Accounts at (609) 771-2172.

Where do I apply for a Federal Direct Loan?

Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)/Renewal FAFSA to be considered for a Federal Direct Loan.

If I take a leave of absence, do I have to repay my loan right away?

Traditionally, students may be eligible for up to a 6 month grace period before loan repayment begins. For more information we recommend you reach out to your loan servicer directly https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers.

What are the interest rates on the Federal Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loans?

The current interest rate for these loans is fixed at 6.52% for undergraduate students and 8.07% for graduate students. Under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, interest rates are determined each spring for new Direct Loans being made for the upcoming award year, which runs from July 1 to June 30. Each loan has a fixed interest rate for the life of the loan.

What is the difference between a Subsidized Loan and an Unsubsidized Loan?

If you have a Subsidized Loan, you are eligible to have your interest paid by the Federal government while you are enrolled at least half-time. If you have an Unsubsidized Loan, you are responsible for the interest that accrues while you are enrolled. You may either pay the interest or let the interest capitalize and pay after you graduate, withdraw, or drop below half-time.

What is the interest rate for a PLUS loan, and when does it have to be repaid?

The current interest rate for PLUS loans is fixed at 9.07%. Repayment of the loan begins 60 days after disbursement, unless you selected to defer payments until after the student graduates on your loan application. Questions regarding deferment should be directed to your loan servicer.

What Federal Direct Loan amounts can I expect to receive as an undergraduate?

Freshman – $5,500 ($3,500 max Sub)

Sophomore – $6,500 ($4,500 max Sub)

Junior – $7,500 ($5,500 max Sub)

Senior – $7,500 ($5,500 max Sub)

How much can an independent undergraduate receive in loans?

Freshmen and Sophomores may receive an additional unsubsidized loan for $4,000. Juniors and Seniors may receive an additional unsubsidized loan for $5,000. None of these loans may exceed the student’s budget for that academic year.

Can I use the loan money for my off-campus living expenses, such as rent and food?

Yes. A student’s cost of attendance includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and personal miscellaneous expenses.

What are Loan Entrance Counseling (LEC) and Master Promissory Note (MPN)?

Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note(s) are required for all first-time student loan borrowers. Both can be completed at www.studentaid.gov under the Grants and Loans dropdown menu. TCNJ is notified electronically when each requirement is completed.

Entrance Counseling is an online counseling session that helps put student loan borrowing into perspective, and helps families determine a realistic amount to borrow. Entrance Counseling lasts for life once completed for a given degree type (i.e., undergraduate vs. graduate), but if you completed Entrance Counseling during your undergraduate degree and are now pursuing a graduate degree, you will need to fulfil this requirement again for the graduate level.

Master Promissory Note(s) are required for the borrower to complete for each type of loan that they borrow. One type of MPN covers both subsidized and unsubsidized loans; one only covers Parent PLUS, and another type only covers Graduate PLUS (if applicable to you, as these were discontinued for new borrowers in July 2026). Please ensure that you are completing all applicable MPNs for your loans.

MPNs typically last ten years prior to expiring, but a new MPN may be required again earlier for PLUS Loans. You will be notified by the Department of Education if this is necessary for you to complete this again.

How do I get a job on campus?

Please refer to our Federal Work-Study (FWS) webpage: https://financialaid.tcnj.edu/federal-work-study/