NJ STARS Program

NJ STARS - New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship is a scholarship program created by the State of New Jersey that provides New Jersey’s highest achieving students free tuition and approved fees; less any state and Federal grants and scholarships, for up to five semesters enrollment at their home county college.

Who is Eligible? 

This year's graduates from N.J. high schools in the top 15% of their graduating class may be eligible for NJ STARS. We are currently admitting prospective high school graduates.

How NJ STARS Works?

First year: Students must be in the top 15% of their high school class and must apply for all other forms of state and federal financial aid, not including student loans.

Second year: Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA, be full-time degree-seeking students at the Sussex and file a financial aid renewal application by the end of May of each year.

STARS II: Extends the STARS scholarship to eligible STARS graduates to New Jersey 4-year public colleges and universities. Please see www.hesaa.org for scholarship guidelines.

Review the Fact Sheets for specific groups of students. Please select the Fact Sheet that corresponds to your status. NJ STARS - NJ Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship

  • You must first apply for all need-based federal by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Indicate the Sussex County Community College federal school code 025688 when completing the FAFSA.
  • FAFSA Application DEADLINES to qualify for the NJ STARS scholarship.
  • Download the NJ STARS brochure with additional NJ STARS Terms & Conditions.

For more information, call our Admissions Office at 973-300–2223 or visit the NJ STARS website

NJ STARS is subject to New Jersey state appropriations and budget. Sussex is not responsible for New Jersey state changes within the program that may affect student eligibility.