What is the "HESAA"?

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I’m the first child in my family going to college and my parents never went either so we are all pretty new to this whole process. Just as a side note, we live in New Jersey. I have completed the FAFSA and the CSS Profile but we are a bit confused on where to go next. My friend sent me a text last night saying something about a third form called the “HESAA”?? I honestly have never even heard of it. </p>

<p>Is this something I should be filling out? And I have a feeling the answer is going to be yes, so if that is the case, my follow up question is: when exactly should I be filling it out? </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Did you even Google? HESAA has an entire website. Not sure if there is a form to be completed or if any additional aid is available, but you’ll know once you do the research.</p>

<p>Would this be what your friend referred to?</p>

<p>[Students</a> & Parents](<a href=“http://www.hesaa.org/Pages/StudentsParents.aspx]Students”>http://www.hesaa.org/Pages/StudentsParents.aspx)</p>

<p>Yeah, of course I Googled it. They have a website but I found it to be too confusing. I couldn’t figure out where the form itself was or information on when it should be submitted.</p>

<p>Mhm, thanks, I know that that is the HESAA website but I’m trying to find out when to fill the paperwork out.</p>

<p>Well, I can’t disagree that the website is rather confusing, but it’s not impossible. All that appears to be offered through HESAA itself is a supplemental college loan program. Are you looking for a loan in addition to what you can qualify for through FAFSA? If so, info on how to apply is here:
<a href=“http://www.hesaa.org/Pages/NJCLASSUndergraduateStudentLoan.aspx[/url]”>http://www.hesaa.org/Pages/NJCLASSUndergraduateStudentLoan.aspx&lt;/a&gt;
I don’t see a form referenced, but the phone number for info is 1-800-792-8670
The site also links to numerous grant programs here:
[Grants</a> and Scholarships](<a href=“http://www.hesaa.org/Pages/GrantsandScholarshipsDetails.aspx]Grants”>http://www.hesaa.org/Pages/GrantsandScholarshipsDetails.aspx)
You’ll have to look at each link to see if you would qualify for any and how to apply. </p>

<p>It seems to me your guidance counselor should be very knowledgeable about financial aid specific to NJ residents, and, unless it’s really dysfunctional, your guidance office and website, if any, should have lots of information available on this subject.</p>

<p>Thanks so much! After doing some more research, I eventually found the page where I could register and sign in. For future reader, if you are a senior in high school applying, the deadline (for 2013 at least) is March 17th! In addition, it requires information from your current year taxes so make sure you get those filed right away! (Or at least before March 17!)</p>

<p>So…what IS it? Who completes it, and what is it for?</p>

<p>To my understanding, it works like this:</p>

<p>FAFSA- money from federal government
HESAA- money from the state (of New Jersey)
CSS Profile- money from the university itself</p>

<p>Why it takes three separate forms is beyond me. Seems a bit redundant. </p>

<p>What is it? A short online form that continues on where the FAFSA leaves off. I didn’t finish it but if I’m not mistaken, I think there are only 4 questions on it…</p>

<p>Who completes it? The senior and their parents haha. Or a company if you have the money to hire.</p>

<p>What is it for? Money, scholarships, grants, loans, etc. from the state of NJ!</p>

<p>Completing the four extra questions is for State of NJ grants and scholarships eligibility determination. NJ has numerous state grants for NJ students attending in state colleges. NJ has one of the nation’s most generous state grant programs in the nation, TAG (Tuition Aid Grant). </p>

<p>You should complete the four questions at [Students</a> & Parents](<a href=“http://www.hesaa.org%5DStudents”>http://www.hesaa.org) to be considered for NJ State Aid. The answers come directly off your federal tax return as indicated in the instructions online. No payed assistance is needed to complete the NJ part, nor do you need at pay anyone for the FAFSA or the CSS profile. We can assist you for free, if necessary. </p>

<p>NJ State Grant & Scholarship programs:
Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) Award range: $100 to $10,318 per year
Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF): $200 to $2,500 per year
Governor’s Urban Scholarship (GUS): $1,000 per year depending on city location
NJSTARS: $ Up to Tuition Only at a Community College
NJSTARS II: $ up to 2,500 per year at a four year TAG college
NJCLASS Loan programs: $ Can cover up to total cost of attendance at any college in the USA and abroad.</p>

<p>Other programs, see [Students</a> & Parents](<a href=“http://www.hesaa.org%5DStudents”>http://www.hesaa.org) and all requirements for eligibility. I will be conducting a Financial Aid Night at the Brick High School this evening (2/19/13) starting at 6:30pm. The address is 2001 Lanes Mill Road, Brick, NJ 08724. </p>

<p>Andre’ Maglione
Acting Director of Client Services
NJ HESAA
609-584-4486 (direct line)
800-792-8670 option #2 (toll free)</p>

<p>Completing the four extra questions is for State of NJ grants and scholarships eligibility determination. NJ has numerous state grants for NJ students attending in state colleges. NJ has one of the nation’s most generous state grant programs in the nation, TAG (Tuition Aid Grant). </p>

<p>You should complete the four questions at Students & Parents to be considered for NJ State Aid. The answers come directly off your federal tax return as indicated in the instructions online. No payed assistance is needed to complete the NJ part, nor do you need at pay anyone for the FAFSA or the CSS profile. We can assist you for free, if necessary. </p>

<p>NJ State Grant & Scholarship programs:
Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) Award range: $100 to $10,318 per year
Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF): $200 to $2,500 per year
Governor’s Urban Scholarship (GUS): $1,000 per year depending on city location
NJSTARS: $ Up to Tuition Only at a Community College
NJSTARS II: $ up to 2,500 per year at a four year TAG college
NJCLASS Loan programs: $ Can cover up to total cost of attendance at any college in the USA and abroad.</p>

<p>Other programs, see Students & Parents and all requirements for eligibility. I will be conducting a Financial Aid Night at the Brick High School this evening (2/19/13) starting at 6:30pm. The address is 2001 Lanes Mill Road, Brick, NJ 08724. </p>

<p>Andre’ Maglione
Acting Director of Client Services
NJ HESAA
609-584-4486 (direct line)
800-792-8670 option #2 (toll free)</p>

<p>How nice that HESAA was monitoring CC and stepped in to respond! Seems like this is one state agency that is really on the ball. I’m impressed.</p>