NJ GEAR UP Scholarship

Scholarships are available to students who participated in one of the NJ GEAR UP State Project programs in 7th grade and remained active through their senior year in high school. Students who enroll in a bachelor's or associate degree program at a licensed, degree-granting college or university in New Jersey may receive up to the maximum Pell Grant Award each semester that they are eligible.

Awards are contingent upon federal funding and are not guaranteed. Awards may be renewed for up to 8 semesters for a 4-year degree program and up to 4 semesters for a 2-year degree program. The NJ GEAR UP scholarship is only available for fall and spring semesters. No summer payments will be made. Part-time GEAR UP funding will only be available to students after completing at least one full-time semester.

Students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by July to ensure timely processing of financial aid. Students failing to meet state and/or federal deadlines will forfeit the scholarship for that semester.  

For Vineland GEAR UP Program Students: The Vineland GEAR UP Partnership Program is not associated with the NJ GEAR UP State Project. If you were in the Vineland GEAR UP program and not the C.H.A.M.P./GEAR UP program at Rowan University, you are not eligible for the NJ GEAR UP State Project Scholarship. Please contact the Vineland Public Schools with questions and concerns. The contact for eligibility requirements is Linda Santagata, Supervisor of Instruction, (856) 794-6700, extension 2357 or http://www.vineland.org/gearup/index.htm

Student Responsibility

If you are eligible for the GEAR UP Scholarship, you must do the following to receive funding:

  • Graduating high school seniors: verify your eligibility with your GEAR UP program staff.
  • Submit the scholarship form each year by June 1 for fall funding and November 1 for spring funding.
  • File the FAFSA each year. GEAR UP can't help you if you don't complete the FAFSA!
  • Enroll in a bachelor's or associate degree program - not a certificate program.
  • Contact NJ GEAR UP immediately if you transfer to another college.
  • Keep your address and contact information up to date with GEAR UP.
  • Contact your college financial aid office first if you have an issue with your funds.
  • Comply with any rules set by your college.
  • Students aged 18 and over must handle their own financial aid affairs.

Scholarship Forms

Deadlines

  • June 1 for students who enroll in the fall semester.
  • November 1 for students who enroll in the spring semester (students who enroll at the same school in the fall and spring do not have to submit a new form in November).

Late or incomplete forms will not be accepted. DO NOT WAIT FOR YOUR TERM BILL OR AWARD LETTER. GEAR UP will not likely be listed.

All eligible students must submit a scholarship form each year in order to receive funds. If you transfer to another school in the spring semester, you must submit an updated form.

Eligibility Rules

Download the Eligibility Requirements for a complete list.

You are eligible if you:

  • Participated in on of the NJ GEAR UP State Project Programs in 7th grade and remained active in the program through 12th grade according to the program director.
  • Attend a Title IV eligible, degree-granting institution in New Jersey that offers associate or bachelor's degrees.
  • Transfer from one NJ GEAR UP eligible institution to another NJ GEAR UP eligible institution.
  • Delay enrollment for no later than the second fall semester following high school graduation and enroll in an institution that is NJ GEAR UP eligible.
  • Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as established by your school.

You are NOT eligible if you:

  • Did not participate in one of the NJ GEAR UP State Project Programs in 7th grade or did not remain active in the program through 12th grade.
  • Participated in a GEAR UP Partnership Program.
  • Did not graduate high school.
  • Enroll in an out-of-state institution.
  • Enroll in a non-Title IV eligible, degree-granting institution that does not offer associate or bachelor's degrees.
  • Do not enroll in an associate or bachelor's degree program. Students in certificate programs are not eligible.
  • Transfer from an out-of-state institution to an eligible New Jersey institution.
  • Enroll in an eligible New Jersey institution after the second fall semester following high school graduation.

Other Documents
© 2006-2008 New Jersey Commission on Higher Education