The Governor’s Urban Scholarship Program is a merit-based scholarship that benefits students with financial need (as determined by their annual financial aid application) from designated New Jersey communities.
Scholarship Details
- Available to eligible students from designated New Jersey communities
- Initial eligibility is based in part on junior-year class rank and academic performance
- Financial need is determined through the student's annual financial aid application
- Award amounts and availability are subject to funding in the annual New Jersey State budget
- Available for up to five semesters at a two-year institution
- Available for up to eight semesters at a four-year institution
- Available for up to ten semesters in an eligible five-year undergraduate degree program
- Half of the annual award is sent to the student's institution after classes begin each semester
- Students generally must receive an award payment each semester to maintain future eligibility
- A one-time leave of absence or deferment of up to one year may be considered for study abroad, documented medical reasons, or extreme family financial hardship
Eligibility Criteria
- Must reside in a community designated as eligible for the Governor's Urban Scholarship Program
- Must be a U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen, or eligible to file the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application
- Must have been a permanent New Jersey resident for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before enrolling
- Must rank within the top 5% of the high school class at the end of junior year
- Must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 at the end of junior year
- Must demonstrate financial need as determined through the applicable annual financial aid application
- Must attend an approved New Jersey college, university, or degree-granting proprietary school participating in the program
- Must enroll full time in an approved degree or certificate program
- Must complete the applicable financial aid application by the New Jersey State deadline each year
- Must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress while participating in the program
Application Process
- Complete the FAFSA or New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application by the applicable New Jersey State deadline.
- Ensure that your high school has reported the required junior class ranking information to HESAA.
- Meet the academic, residency, financial need, and designated-community requirements of the Governor's Urban Scholarship Program.
- Watch for notification from HESAA regarding your eligibility for the scholarship.
- Accept the award if selected and enroll full time in an eligible program at an approved New Jersey institution.
- Complete the applicable financial aid application each year and continue meeting all program requirements to maintain eligibility.
The amount and availability of this award is subject to funding in the annual State budget. HESAA will notify students if the amount or availability of their award changes. GUS is available for a maximum of five (5) semesters for students enrolled at a two-year institution, eight (8) semesters for students enrolled at a four-year institution, or ten (10) semesters for students enrolled in a bona fide five-year degree program requiring five years of undergraduate study.
