Immigration Status and Higher Education in New Jersey
Learn how immigration status may affect your path to college in New Jersey. This section explains admissions policies, in-state tuition, financial aid, and state laws that help make higher education more accessible for immigrant, undocumented, DACA, and first-generation students.
Imani Cruz
DACA / Undocumented / First Generation
DACA Recipients: Students with DACA may qualify for in-state tuition and New Jersey state financial aid if they meet eligibility requirements.
Undocumented students: New Jersey law allows eligible undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at public and private colleges and universities. Many students may also qualify for state financial aid through the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application.
First generation students: First generation students who are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or an eligible noncitizen have the right to apply for federal financial aid regardless of their parents' immigration status, if they meet eligibility requirements. First generation students with other immigration statuses may also qualify for state financial aid through the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application.
U-Visas / T-Visas
Students who hold a T visa (for victims of human trafficking), a U visa (for victims of certain crimes who assist law enforcement), or who are dependents of a parent or guardian with an O-1 or O-2 visa may qualify for in-state tuition in New Jersey. To be eligible, students must meet the same residency and other requirements that apply to all students seeking in-state tuition.
Refugees
Refugees may qualify for in-state tuition in New Jersey if they meet the state's residency requirements. In general, students must have lived in New Jersey for at least 12 months before qualifying for in-state tuition. Students attending a county community college must also establish residency in the county that sponsors the college before enrolling and provide documentation of their residency.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
Youth with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) may qualify for in-state tuition at New Jersey public colleges and universities. They are also eligible to apply for state financial aid through the New Jersey Alternative Application administered by HESAA if they meet the state’s residency requirements. After obtaining lawful permanent resident status (a green card), SIJS recipients may also apply for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Asylum Seekers/Asylees
Individuals granted asylum (asylees) and asylum seekers (whose asylum cases are pending) may qualify for in-state tuition at New Jersey public colleges and universities if they meet the state's residency requirements. Asylees can establish residency for tuition purposes by providing documentation of their asylum status. Individuals with pending asylum applications (asylum seekers) are not eligible for federal financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). However, individuals who have been granted asylum are considered eligible noncitizens and may apply for federal financial aid through the FAFSA, as well as New Jersey state financial aid programs, including the Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) and the Garden State Guarantee.