NJ STARS Information

Background Information

• The New Jersey Student Assistance Rewards Scholarship (NJ STARS) is the first state-sponsored scholarship program in the nation that is specifically designed for community college students.
• NJ STARS students must be enrolled in an associate degree program in Middlesex County College (not OC.UN or ESL.UN or VS.UN or HS.UN).
• The program covers up to five semesters of tuition and approved fees at Middlesex County College.  NJ STARS students must take at least 12 college-level credits each semester (non-developmental) and the state will pay for up to 15 college-level credits each semester, AFTER other federal and state grant monies are applied.
• The NJ STARS program will not pay for courses in the summer or winter sessions.
• NJ STARS students must maintain continuous full-time enrollment at Middlesex County College.  NJ STARS students can never fall below 12 college-level (non-developmental) credits
• NJ STARS students, if they have not attended any other institution, have up to two years after graduating high school to enroll at Middlesex County College.

Transfer Students and NJ STARS

• Students who attended one semester at a four-year college or university may be eligible for NJ STARS.
• Students who attended one year at a four-year college or university are not eligible for NJ STARS.

Eligibility for the NJ STARS Program

• Students must be in the top 20% of their high school graduating class.
• Students must be a permanent resident or citizen of the United States for at least 12 months prior to the start of classes.
• Students and parents must be state residents.
• Students must file for financial aid by submitting the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Form. This filing is required for each academic year, no later than June 1.
• NJ STARS students must be enrolled in an associate degree program in Middlesex County College (not OC.UN or ESL.UN or VS.UN or HS.UN).
• NJ STARS students must maintain continuous full-time enrollment at Middlesex County College.  NJ STARS students can never fall below 12 college-level (non-developmental) credits. Students who drop below full-time status will lose their eligibility for that semester and for future semesters.
• NJ STARS students must attain at least a 3.0 GPA by the start of the second year of enrollment in order to continue to receive the NJ STARS funds.
• Students who are placed on Academic Restriction will lose their eligibility