Garden State Guarantee
Garden State Guarantee
Garden State Guarantee
On June 29, 2021, Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation funding the Garden State Guarantee (GSG) effective beginning the fall 2022 semester. This page provides information about the program including eligibility requirements and the answers to frequently asked questions.
The Garden State Guarantee is a financial aid program that will provide up to four semesters of free tuition and fees for New Jersey students enrolled at Rowan University (or other 4-yr public NJ universities) and whose family’s Adjusted Gross Income is between $0 and $65,000 annually. Students must have already earned at least 60 credits so that they are in their third and fourth years of study. Where the eligible student’s family adjusted gross income is between $65,001 to $80,000, students will be able to receive assistance such that their net cost for tuition and fees is no more than $7,500 total for the fall and spring semesters.
Eligibility
Students who meet the State’s criteria are eligible for the Garden State Guarantee:
- NJ residents, including NJ Dream Act students.
- Must complete the FAFSA and meet all state deadlines to have state aid eligibility determined. Failure to complete your state aid process jeopardizes your eligibility for this program too. Check your state aid status online at HESAA.
- Have a federal Adjusted Gross Income of $0 to $65,000 for free tuition, or $65,001-$80,000 for assistance lowering the cost for tuition to no more than $7,500. The Adjusted Gross Income figure is based on parent(s) AGI for dependent students or student/spouse income for independent students. The income-establishing eligibility will be based on the income reported on the FAFSA for the academic year in question.
- Enroll full-time in your third or fourth year at Rowan University, defined as having earned 60-89 credits for the third year and 90-126 earned credits for the fourth year (credits include those a student has earned from a different institution as long as Rowan has accepted the credits).
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
- Students must have earned no more than 128 credits and are working towards their first bachelor’s degree. Both continuing students and incoming transfers are eligible.
- Will be awarded as a "last dollar" to cover tuition and fees after all federal grants, state aid, scholarships, tuition/fee waivers, and institutional funding, have been applied. This award cannot be used to create a refund/credit balance.
How to Apply
Consideration is automatic with your FAFSA! There is no separate application to complete. Remember these important application requirements:
- Complete your FAFSA annually prior to April 15th. NJ Dreamers should file the NJ Alternative Application found on HESAA’s website.
- Students must file the FAFSA or NJ Alternative Application by HESAA’s state grant deadlines. If HESAA requests additional documentation, those deadlines must also be met. You must complete the state grant process, regardless of eligibility for state grant aid.
- Students must also submit any documentation required by the Rowan University Office of Financial Aid.
