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College is a juggling act of all sorts. Money doesn’t grow on trees and paying for college can seem unrealistic. Luckily, Rowan University has publicly announced their participation in the Garden State Guarantee program to better aid their students financially.
According to an announcement made by Rowan University, on June 29, 2021, Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation funding the Garden State Guarantee (GSG) program. The GSG will be effective starting the fall 2022 semester for students who qualify.
The Garden State Guarantee will provide up to four semesters of free tuition and fees for students whose family’s Adjusted Gross Income is between $0 and $65,000 annually. The GSG program is applicable only to four-year public New Jersey universities, Rowan included.
The Garden State Guarantee program only applies to third and fourth year students.
William Kaminer, a sophomore political science major at Rowan University praises the new program.
“I think this program is a great way to increase the opportunities this school provides. I’m glad that the program gives aid to undocumented students who are often ignored by similar programs,” Kaminer said.
Students who plan to apply for the program are expected to have earned at least 60 college credits prior to their junior year and/or have 90 college credits prior to their senior year (whether from their current school or another school where the credits are transferable). Students also must be enrolled as a full-time student, taking 12 credits per semester.
On the other hand, students whose family’s Adjusted Gross Income is between $65,001 to $80,000 will receive assistance to lower the costs of tuition and fees to no more than $7,500 annually.
In order to qualify for the program, students must file their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 15. Students who qualify as N.J. Dreams are also applicable to apply for the GSG program but too must file their FAFSA by April 15.
For more information, visit https://www.nj.gov/highereducation/gsg.shtml. To apply for the GSG Program, fill out the 2022-23 FAFSA. According to Rowan’s website, the consideration will be automatic once the FAFSA is completed.
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