How to Apply

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How to Apply

How to Apply

NJCU strives to make financial aid opportunities available for as many students as possible. The financial aid application information below applies to aid for college freshmen, transfer, and returning undergraduate students.

COMPLETE THE FAFSA
To be considered for any federal or state student financial aid programs, including student loans, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is used to determine your eligibility for all financial aid programs offered by NJCU. There is no processing fee for this financial aid application.

  1. Create FSA ID and Password
    To expedite the completion of your FAFSA you should first create a FSA ID and Password, which will allow you to electronically sign the FAFSA. (If you do not create a FSA ID, you will need to print, sign, and mail the signature page).
  2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    Complete and submit the FAFSA online as soon as possible after October 1st of the previous year you will be attending. NJCU's priority filing deadline for the FAFSA, the prerequisite for any financial aid, is March 1st. Returning undergraduate students will lose their state aid if their FAFSA form is not received by the federal processor prior to April 15th.
    New Jersey City University's Federal School Code is 002613. The information you submit will be processed and you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) in response. Log in to the FAFSA website to review this information and correct any errors as instructed.

    Please Note: For the 2024-2025 academic year the FAFSA will not be available until December 2023.  Students who are renewing their application will get an email notifying them that it is available for their completion. First time applicants, can check the studentaid.gov website for availability.
  3. Review your Student Aid Report (SAR)
    Your Student Aid Report (SAR) is a paper or electronic document that gives you some basic information about your eligibility for federal student aid as well as listing your answers to the FAFSA questions. Your SAR will indicate if you were selected for verification.
  4. Submit documents for Verification
    Verification is the process used to confirm that the data reported on your FAFSA form is accurate. The Financial Aid Office has the authority to contact you for documentation that supports the information you reported. The documents that can be requested are income tax returns, W-2 statements, and 1099 forms, and other NJCU verification forms.
  5. Review and accept your Financial Aid Awards package
    Once the application has been reviewed and you have been admitted to the University, you will receive an award notification of your financial aid package, which will include any NJCU grants and scholarships for which you may be eligible. This Financial Aid Award Letter will also include important loan information and instructions on how to accept your federal loans on GothicNet.
  6. Complete a Master Promissory Note & Loan Entrance Counseling
    All student loan borrowers at NJCU are required to complete a Master Promissory Note and Loan Entrance Counseling. Both can be completed by logging into Studentaid.gov using your FSA ID and Password. All students must be enrolled for at least 6 credits to be eligible for federal loans.

Questions concerning entrance loan counseling should be directed to the Financial Aid Office at 201-200-3173. You can also review valuable information regarding this requirement on the Federal Student Aid website.

"Seven Easy Steps to the FAFSA, A Student's Guide to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid." A tool designed to help applicants walk through the FAFSA application in seven easy to understand steps.

Learn More About How to Apply for Financial Aid

Understanding the FAFSA

Federal Aid Eligibility