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Garden State Guarantee
Thomas Edison State University is pleased to announce our participation in the Garden State Guarantee starting in the Fall of 2022.
All full time New Jersey resident students or New Jersey Dreamers with the following criteria will have no tuition costs.
- Full time enrollment in the following terms:
- 12 week terms - September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April or May (June, July and August excluded)
- 16 week terms (July excluded)
- Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $0 and $65,000
- Must be in third or fourth year at start of term (definition of 3rd year is at least 60 credits towards their first Bachelor’s degree; and 4th year is at least 90 credits towards their degree)
- Must not have already received four Garden State Guarantee Scholarships
Garden Stage Guarantee
Download the Garden State Guarantee program flier for an overview of the program.
The maximum award amount that a student may receive per HESAA semester is equal to our Full Time Flat Rate of $3,419.
The Garden State Guarantee scholarship will be applied to student accounts after any federal or state grants, or other scholarships.
Students must complete the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the New Jersey Alternate Financial Aid Application by the following dates:
- Fall 2024: June 1, 2024 if TAG was received in the previous year or September 15th, 2024 if TAG was not received in the previous year
- Spring 2025: February 15, 2025
Students are required to meet satisfactory academic progress and course engagement standards in order for the Garden State Guarantee award to be applied.
The Garden State Guarantee (GSG) is New Jersey’s promise to make a college degree more accessible and affordable. By reducing out-of-pocket costs for students and families, New Jersey is limiting the amount of debt that residents must borrow to attend an in-state, public college or university. This program further builds on Governor Phil Murphy’s commitment to improving college affordability.
New Jersey residents who attend an in-state, public, four-year institution and have an annual adjusted gross income (AGI) between $0 and $65,000. GSG covers the cost of tuition and fees that are not already covered by federal and state financial aid or other scholarships. Students must be enrolled full time (at least 12 credits per semester) and must be working toward completing their first Bachelor’s degree.
You will automatically be considered for the GSG when you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or, if you qualify as a NJ Dreamer, the New Jersey Alternate Financial Aid Application.
Students must complete the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the New Jersey Alternate Financial Aid Application by the following dates:
- Fall 2024: June 1, 2024 if TAG was received in the previous year or September 15, 2024, if TAG was not received in the previous year
- Spring 2025: February 15, 2025
Please contact Lyrisa Copson, Associate Director of Financial Aid, at lcopson@tesu.edu with any questions.
Toni M. Terry, BA
"I am 67 years old, soon to be 68, and to be able to say I did this at this day in my life is just gratification for my own self."