Unemployment Tuition Waiver
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A: 64-13.1 et seq. or 18A: 64A-23.1, the State of New Jersey created a program to allow certain unemployed individuals to attend a public institution of higher education in this state tuition-free on a space-available basis. Additionally, individuals who qualify for this program may have certain fees waived or reduced. To apply for this benefit, individuals must obtain certification from the NJ Department of Labor, Division of Workforce that they qualify for this benefit. Additionally, individuals must verify their past presence in the labor market for at least two years and their unemployed status or receipt of a layoff notice as proof of eligibility or an employability development plan from the Division of Employment Services.
Students are only eligible to register for classes on the LAST day of add/drop on a space-available basis. (No overloads will be accepted).
Students who register for classes prior to that date will forfeit their right to participate in the NJ Tuition Benefit for Unemployed Individuals for that semester. Matriculated students are required to use Federal and State grant funds to cover program costs. Matriculated students are subject to Kean University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Financial Aid and cannot be in default on a student loan to participate in the program.
Students who qualify for the NJ Tuition Benefit for Unemployed Program will receive a waiver administered by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Services that will cover tuition and certain fees, minus any Federal or and State grants that the student may be eligible to receive. The maximum amount of tuition and fees that Kean University will waive is based on the flat rate charge for undergraduate students. The maximum number of credits enrolled for the semester is 19 for undergraduate students and 15 for graduate students. Students that are eligible for Federal and State grants that exceed their cost for tuition and applicable fees do not qualify for the NJ Tuition Benefit for Unemployed Program.
Individuals who gain employment during the semester the tuition waiver is in effect shall be eligible to continue for that semester as a participant of the program. This does not apply to students who become employed prior to the certification of a waiver.
PROGRAM EXEMPTIONS
- Customized courses that are underwritten by specific employers are exempt from eligibility under the tuition waiver program. Cougar Dollars and all other Kean University promotions are excluded from eligibility under the tuition waiver program.
- Students are only eligible to register for classes on the last day of Add/Drop on a space-available basis. Students cannot drop classes and re-register for the same course on the last day of Add/Drop.
- Matriculated students are required to use grant aid to cover program costs.
- Matriculating and non-matriculating students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to seeking participation in the program.
- The student must be making satisfactory academic progress towards a degree and cannot be in default on a student loan to participate in the program.
- Students must submit their tuition waiver within five (5) days of their registration.
- Additional information can be accessed at https://www.kean.edu/offices/financial-aid/unemployment-tuition-waiver