College & Education in New Jersey

17 verified resources.

About College & Education for Fathers

Education resources for fathers include financial aid, adult education, workforce training, and college programs with on-site childcare. FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the gateway to Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and state aid. Pell Grants provide up to approximately $7,000 per year to low-income students and don't require repayment. GED and HiSET programs operate in every state through adult education providers, often free. Community colleges offer lower-cost two-year degrees and certificate programs in high-demand trades. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds training for eligible adults and dislocated workers. For fathers returning to school, on-campus childcare (often subsidized through the CCAMPIS grant), emergency aid funds, and single-parent scholarships make enrollment feasible. This directory covers state FAFSA offices, community colleges, adult education programs, and single-dad scholarships.

College & Education in New Jersey

New Jersey Superior Court Family Part handles family law in each of its 15 vicinages. The Office of Child Support Services operates under DHS. Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, and Trenton are the largest cities. Legal Services of New Jersey coordinates six regional LSC-funded programs covering all 21 counties.

17 Resources

1. NJ Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) — Free

State agency administering NJ financial aid programs including Tuition Aid Grants (TAG), Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF), and NJ STARS community college program. Located in Trenton. Call 1-800-792-8670 Monday through Friday 8am to 8pm. Complete the FAFSA to apply for state grants. Programs support NJ residents attending in-state colleges and universities. No repayment required for grants. Also administers the NJ Alternative Benefit Program and various scholarship opportunities for high-achieving and disadvantaged students.

1-800-792-8670 · P.O. Box 540, Trenton, NJ 08625 · Mon-Fri 8am-8pm · Visit Website

2. NJ Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) — Free

New Jersey's largest state grant program providing need-based financial aid to eligible NJ students attending in-state colleges and universities. No repayment required. Call 1-800-792-8670 Monday through Friday 8am to 8pm. Apply by completing the FAFSA. Awards vary based on family income, college cost, and enrollment status. Full-time and part-time students may qualify. Renews annually based on continued eligibility. One of the most generous state grant programs in the country for low and moderate-income NJ college students.

1-800-792-8670 · Apply through FAFSA · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

3. Federal Student Aid / FAFSA — Free

Completing the free FAFSA at studentaid.gov unlocks Pell Grants, federal student loans, work-study, and NJ state aid for NJ students. Call 1-800-433-3243 Monday through Friday 8am to 11pm ET. Filing is free and required for all federal and most NJ state financial aid programs. Submit as early as possible after October 1st each year for maximum award. Student and parent tax information is needed. NJ community college students, adult learners, and first-generation students especially encouraged to file.

1-800-433-3243 · Online resource · Phone Mon-Fri 8am-11pm ET; online 24/7 · Visit Website

4. Federal Pell Grant Program — Free

The Federal Pell Grant is the largest federal grant program for undergraduate students with financial need, with maximum awards up to $7,395 per year. No repayment required. Apply by filing the FAFSA at studentaid.gov; call 1-800-433-3243 for assistance. Available to eligible NJ students attending accredited institutions. Award amounts depend on family income, cost of attendance, and enrollment status. Pell Grants can be combined with NJ state grants for significant total financial aid packages.

1-800-433-3243 · Apply via FAFSA online · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

5. NJ Community College Opportunity Grant — Free

Free community college program covering tuition and fees for eligible NJ residents with adjusted gross income up to $65,000 at any of NJ's 18 community colleges. Call HESAA at 1-800-792-8670 Monday through Friday 8am to 8pm. Students must complete the FAFSA and enroll at a NJ community college. Award covers remaining tuition and fees after other aid. Part-time and full-time enrollment both eligible. Visit hesaa.org for complete income eligibility requirements and to find your nearest participating community college.

1-800-792-8670 · Apply at your local NJ community college · Contact your college's financial aid office · Visit Website

6. Essex County College (Newark) — Paid

Essex County College in Newark offers affordable associate degrees, certificates, and workforce training with flexible day, evening, and weekend scheduling for working parents and adults. Located at 303 University Ave in Newark. Call 973-877-3000 Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. Accepts NJ FamilyCare, TAG, Pell Grants, and the Community College Opportunity Grant for free tuition. Offers developmental education, ESL, and career programs. Convenient urban campus serving Essex County students.

973-877-3000 · 303 University Ave, Newark, NJ 07102 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Hudson County Community College (Jersey City) — Paid

Hudson County Community College in Jersey City offers affordable associate degrees, certificates, and workforce programs with strong support for adult learners and parents returning to school. Located at 70 Sip Ave. Call 201-714-7100 Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. Accepts Pell Grants, NJ TAG, and the Community College Opportunity Grant for eligible students. Flexible scheduling including evenings and weekends. Financial aid counselors available to help students identify all available funding sources.

201-714-7100 · 70 Sip Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. NJ Adult Education / GED Programs — Free

Free adult education programs across New Jersey helping adults earn their GED diploma, improve reading and math literacy, and prepare for college or career advancement. Programs located at community schools, libraries, and colleges statewide. Visit nj.gov/education/adulted to find a program near you. Most programs are free for eligible adults. Evening and daytime classes available to accommodate work schedules. ESL courses also offered for non-English speakers. Credential can open doors to better employment and higher education.

Programs statewide at schools and community colleges · Varies by location; many offer evening classes · Visit Website

9. NJ Career Connections - Education Planning — Free

NJ Career Connections is a free state workforce portal offering career assessments, education planning tools, training program directories, and scholarship searches for NJ residents. Available online 24/7 at mycareer.nj.gov. Call 609-292-6800 Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. Residents can explore career pathways, identify training programs, and link directly to One-Stop career center services. Useful for anyone considering a career change, returning to school, or seeking workforce credentials.

609-292-6800 · Online resource · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

10. Passaic County Community College (Paterson) — Paid

Passaic County Community College serves the Paterson area with affordable associate degrees, workforce certificates, and ESL programs for adults. Located at 1 College Blvd in Paterson. Call 973-684-6868 Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. Accepts Pell Grants, NJ Tuition Aid Grants, and the Community College Opportunity Grant. Strong ESL and bilingual education programs serving Passaic County's diverse communities. Flexible day and evening schedules accommodate working students and parents.

973-684-6868 · 1 College Blvd, Paterson, NJ 07505 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

11. Camden County College — Paid

Camden County College serves South Jersey residents with affordable associate degrees, workforce training programs, and transfer pathways to four-year universities. Located at 200 College Dr in Blackwood. Call 856-227-7200 Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. Accepts Pell Grants, NJ Tuition Aid Grants, and the Community College Opportunity Grant for eligible students. Programs include healthcare, business, technology, and liberal arts. Flexible scheduling available for working adults and parents.

856-227-7200 · 200 College Dr, Blackwood, NJ 08012 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

12. Middlesex College (Edison) — Paid

Middlesex College in Edison serves Central NJ residents with affordable associate degrees, workforce certificates, and continuing education programs. Located at 2600 Woodbridge Ave in Edison. Call 732-548-6000 Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. Accepts Pell Grants and NJ Tuition Aid Grants. Strong transfer programs to Rutgers and other NJ universities. Programs in healthcare, technology, business, and skilled trades. Flexible scheduling including day, evening, and online classes for working adults.

732-548-6000 · 2600 Woodbridge Ave, Edison, NJ 08818 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

13. GI Bill – VA Education Benefits in NJ — Free

Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits cover full tuition at NJ public colleges and universities, plus a monthly housing allowance and book stipend for eligible veterans. Call 888-442-4551 or apply at va.gov/education. Benefits available to veterans with 90 or more days of qualifying active-duty service after September 10, 2001. NJ also waives tuition at state colleges for certain disabled veterans. Benefits transferable to dependents in some cases. Contact your NJ school's certifying official after applying.

888-442-4551 · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

14. Khan Academy – Free Online Learning — Free

Khan Academy provides completely free online courses in math, science, computing, test prep, and more at khanacademy.org. Available 24 hours a day with no registration fees. Ideal for NJ adults preparing for the GED, SAT, or college courses. Covers subjects from basic arithmetic through calculus, biology, chemistry, and computer programming. Progress is tracked automatically. Used by students, parents, and adults looking to build or refresh skills at their own pace from any device.

Online 24/7 · Visit Website

15. NJ Apprenticeship Programs (DOL) — Free

NJ Department of Labor registered apprenticeship programs allow participants to earn a paycheck while learning on the job in construction, healthcare, IT, and skilled trades. Call 609-292-2323 Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm or visit nj.gov/labor for available openings. Apprentices earn competitive wages that increase as skills develop. Programs combine hands-on training with classroom instruction leading to a nationally recognized credential. Ideal for NJ adults seeking career advancement without traditional college debt.

609-292-2323 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

16. Bergen Community College (Paramus) — Paid

Bergen Community College is the largest community college in NJ serving Bergen County with affordable associate degrees, workforce training, and transfer programs to four-year universities. Located at 400 Paramus Rd in Paramus. Call 201-447-7100 Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. Accepts Pell Grants, NJ Tuition Aid Grants, and the Community College Opportunity Grant. Offers over 100 programs of study including healthcare, business, technology, and liberal arts with flexible day and evening scheduling.

201-447-7100 · 400 Paramus Rd, Paramus, NJ 07652 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

17. NJ EOF (Educational Opportunity Fund) — Free

NJ Educational Opportunity Fund is a state-funded program providing financial assistance and academic support services to educationally disadvantaged NJ students at colleges statewide. Call HESAA at 609-376-9054 Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. Grants available to eligible students at participating NJ colleges. Also provides tutoring, counseling, and academic support alongside financial aid. First-generation college students and those from low-income backgrounds especially encouraged to apply through their college's EOF office.

609-376-9054 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

College & Education — Common Questions

What do I do first if I want to go back to school?
Fill out the FAFSA at studentaid.gov. It's free and takes about 30 minutes. Results determine eligibility for Pell Grants (up to ~$7,000/year), Direct Loans, and state grants. Apply even if you think you won't qualify — results often surprise.
Is there childcare on college campuses?
Many community colleges and some universities operate on-campus childcare, often subsidized through the CCAMPIS federal grant for low-income student parents. Financial aid can sometimes cover childcare as a cost of attendance.
Can I get a GED online?
Yes. The official GED test is offered online (with in-home proctoring) and at testing centers. HiSET (used in some states instead of GED) is similar. Free prep through state adult education providers and through Khan Academy's free GED prep.
What is WIOA training?
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds short-term training for eligible adults, often up to
0,000 or more for in-demand occupations. Apply through your local American Job Center. Programs cover CDL, welding, nursing, IT, HVAC, and many others.