Grants and Scholarships

Funding You May Not Need to Repay

Grants and scholarships can help reduce your out-of-pocket cost for college. Unlike loans, these types of aid typically do not need to be repaid, unless eligibility requirements are not met.

Get Help Paying for College 

Grants are typically awarded based on financial need and may come from the federal government, the State of New Jersey or the University.

Scholarships are typically awarded based on academic achievement, leadership, talent or other criteria. Scholarships may come from the University or external organizations.

Federal Work Study is a federally supported employment program for students who are eligible based on the FAFSA

  • Based on funding levels and availability, work study aid may be cancelled in October for fall students or February for spring students. Students can continue to be placed on work-study while funds are available.
  • Departments should note that once a student has earned their allotted federal work-study amount for the semester and/or academic year, the student is no longer eligible for work-study and the student must be paid from the department’s budget (as a Student Assistant) or they can no longer work for the remainder of the semester or academic year

Learn More about Student Employment

The Red Hawk Advantage Award

The Red Hawk Advantage Award (RHAA) provides eligible New Jersey students with up to four semesters of free tuition and general fees, making it possible to earn a degree with little to no debt. 

Learn More!
red hawk statue surrounded by red, orange, and yellow flowers

Federal Grants

The Pell Grant is awarded to eligible undergraduate students based on financial need, cost of attendance and enrollment status. Your award may be adjusted based on the number of credits you take, and lifetime limits apply.

The FSEOG is awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Students must also be eligible for a Pell Grant.

The TEACH Grant provides up to $4,000 per year to eligible students who plan to teach in a high-need field in a low-income school. If service requirements are not completed, the grant becomes a loan that must be repaid.

State Grants

TAG is awarded to eligible New Jersey residents enrolled full-time who demonstrate financial need. Additional documentation may be required through NJFAMS.

The Garden State Guarantee may provide up to four semesters of free tuition and fees for eligible New Jersey juniors and seniors.

Learn More About Garden State Guarantee

EOF supports New Jersey students with exceptional financial need from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. Students must be enrolled full-time and admitted as EOF participants.

NJ STARS II supports eligible transfer students continuing from a New Jersey county college to a four-year public institution. GPA, FAFSA and admission requirements apply.

GUS provides up to $1,000 per year to academically qualified students who live in designated areas.

Important to Know

  • Many grants and scholarships require full-time enrollment
  • Some awards require New Jersey residency
  • Certain scholarships must be awarded before your first semester
  • Changes to your enrollment may affect your financial aid

University Scholarships

Montclair offers merit-based Presidential Scholarships for high-achieving incoming students. These are awarded through the admissions process and do not require a separate application. Eligible transfer students may also qualify for scholarship opportunities.

Some colleges and schools offer scholarships through their academic departments.

  • College of Science and Mathematics
  • College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Graduate students can explore scholarship opportunities through the Graduate School’s financing resources.

ScholarshipUniverse

ScholarshipUniverse is a centralized platform that helps you find and apply for both internal and external scholarships.

  • Complete your profile to receive matched opportunities
  • Apply directly through the platform
  • Upload required materials such as essays or recommendations
  • Track your application status

Students are encouraged to log in regularly to review new opportunities and deadlines.

Please note: Scholarships included in the ScholarshipUniverse database have variable eligibility and selection criteria, and award decisions for scholarships are determined solely by the sponsoring organization. The university has no control over and no knowledge of scholarships in the database. Scholarship opportunities for certain segments of the student population, such as international students, may be limited.

Outside Scholarships

Students are encouraged to apply for scholarships from outside organizations throughout the year. These awards can help reduce your overall cost of attendance.

If you receive an outside scholarship, it must be reported to the University.

Submit a copy of your scholarship notification letter to the Student Accounts Office.

You can submit:

Include:

  • Scholarship name
  • Your full name and CWID
  • Award amount
  • Disbursement method (check or electronic)
  • Disbursement timing
  • Who the check is made payable to

Checks should be made payable to:

Montclair State University
Student Accounts Office
Attn: Cashier’s Office
1 Normal Ave, Room 200
Montclair, NJ 07043

Include your name, CWID and applicable semester(s).

Important:

  • Checks made payable to both you and the University must be endorsed
  • Checks made payable only to the student cannot be accepted

Outside scholarships are considered part of your financial aid package.

  • Total aid cannot exceed your Cost of Attendance
  • Additional scholarships may reduce:
    • Need-based grants
    • Loans
    • Certain state programs

Adjustments are made to comply with federal and state regulations.

Some organizations require documentation before sending funds.

Common requests include:

  • Billing statements or invoices
  • Enrollment verification
  • Academic transcripts

Important:

Questions?