Best Higher Education Grants in New Jersey

Armstrong County Community Foundation

The Armstrong County Community Foundation, a public nonprofit corporation,

• Gives grants, scholarships, and organizational support to address the needs of our community.
• Builds a permanent endowment to help our donors create a legacy through this endowment.
• Promotes informed philanthropy to increase and sustain charitable resources for the region.
• Provides leadership and builds partnerships to identify and solve community issues.

Geophysical Society of Pittsburgh Scholarship

The Geophysical Society of Pittsburgh Scholarship Fund was established in 2013 by the Geophysical Society of Pittsburgh.

Scholarship Details

• Available to Adult Students
• Nonrenewable

All ACCF Scholarships are merit based.

What is a Community Foundation?

For more than 50 years, NCCF has been taking on tough problems to improve the quality-of-life in Northwest CT by supporting nonprofits that speak to the charitable passions of our generous donors. Through the generosity of fundholders and donors, NCCF has awarded more than half a million dollars in scholarships to assist students in Northwest Connecticut with the cost of higher education. This year, NCCF will administer more than 65 scholarship funds. 

About Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation

NCCF is a Community Foundation, a tax-exempt public charity that enables donors to establish funds that support the work of local nonprofits through grants and provide scholarships to local students.

NCCF's Board and Staff champion the causes you care about with smart grant-making designed specifically to adapt over time and provide highly attentive, knowledgeable, and compassionate service that brings donors and organizations together to address community issues.

Kenneth K. Mills Scholarship

Multi-year award averaging $500 per year for graduates of Shepaug Valley High School who will be/are attending Rutgers University.

Dependent children and surviving spouses of New Jersey residents affected by the September 11, 2001 attacks can receive higher education scholarships covering full-time college costs. Grants from New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority help New Jersey students attend any Title IV-eligible institution in-state or out-of-state, provided they meet citizenship, academic progress, and time-limit requirements.

High-achieving high school students in designated New Jersey urban communities can receive merit-based scholarships for in-state higher education costs. New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority supports higher education in New Jersey by awarding the Governor’s Urban Scholarship to juniors ranking in the top 5% of their class with a 3.0+ GPA who meet residency and other eligibility requirements.

The Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Scholarship in New Jersey offers financial support to dependent children of law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. This renewable scholarship covers the cost of attendance for up to four years at approved New Jersey institutions. Eligible applicants must maintain full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress, ensuring they receive the necessary assistance to continue their education while honoring their parent's legacy.

The Survivor Tuition Benefits (STB) Program in New Jersey provides scholarships for children and surviving spouses of firefighters, emergency service workers, and law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. This program covers tuition at eligible institutions, ensuring access to higher education. Awards are renewable and contingent on available funding, with a maximum of eight payments allowed for students. Surviving spouses have no time limit to apply, promoting educational opportunities for those affected by tragedy.

Legally blind college students residing in New Jersey can receive scholarship support for undergraduate or graduate study at select Tri-State area colleges and universities. Lavelle Fund for the Blind provides higher education funding plus career preparation assistance, emphasizing academic progress, technology and mobility skills, and active participation in training, networking, and internship opportunities.

The Provident Bank Foundation's Empowerment Grant focuses on uplifting marginalized communities by providing flexible funding for initiatives that promote economic self-sufficiency. With grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 over two years, the program supports organizations in education, human services, and workforce development. Eligible applicants must demonstrate meaningful community impact and align with the Foundation's funding priorities, which include promoting quality education, social safety nets, and career development opportunities.

The Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) program in New Jersey provides essential financial support for students enrolled in approved higher education institutions. It covers a portion of tuition for nearly one-third of full-time undergraduates, ensuring access to education for those with financial need. Since 1978, TAG has been instrumental in promoting economic mobility and affordability in higher education. Additionally, Summer TAG awards allow eligible students to take summer courses, further assisting them in completing their degree programs efficiently.

The NJ STARS Scholarship, managed by HESAA, offers financial support to New Jersey high school graduates who rank in the top 15% of their class. This merit-based scholarship covers tuition for up to 18 credit hours per semester at local community colleges for eligible students. To qualify, students must enroll full-time and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Funding is subject to state appropriations, ensuring that education remains accessible for deserving students.

The HRG Charitable Foundation Scholarship, administered by Scholarship America, aims to eliminate financial barriers for current high school seniors in the mid-Atlantic region pursuing STEM degrees. With a focus on expanding access for underrepresented students, the scholarship supports full-time undergraduate education at accredited institutions. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. This initiative reflects Scholarship America's commitment to educational equity and student success, ensuring every student can achieve their academic goals.

The Robert Sydney Needham Foundation Grant, established in memory of Robert Sydney Needham, supports New Jersey colleges and universities in providing scholarships to deserving students. Eligible candidates must be full-time sophomores, juniors, or seniors with a GPA of 3.3 or higher, demonstrating community involvement and financial need. The grant aims to honor Mr. Needham's legacy by fostering educational opportunities for promising students in the state.

Independent colleges and universities in New Jersey with 1,000+ full-time traditional undergraduates and total enrollment under 5,000 can seek capital funding to enhance undergraduate academic facilities and equipment. George I Alden Trust supports projects like classrooms, labs, libraries, and learning centers that strengthen educational quality and student preparation for careers and lifelong learning.

Graduate students pursuing higher education in New Jersey with a focus on substance use or addiction counseling can apply for the Frank Mongelli Jr. Scholarship. Focused on higher education, Community Foundation of New Jersey invites New Jersey students planning careers in addiction counseling to seek support for their accredited graduate programs.

Scranton Area Community Foundation

For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.

Scholarships

We are honored to be the stewards of over 90 scholarship funds established by philanthropically-minded individuals in our community. Generous donors entrust us to connect them to dynamic students to provide financial resources for their education through scholarships. Our donors establish scholarship funds with criteria they wish to be met by applicants. Our scholarship committee considers the criteria, evaluates the submitted applications, and chooses the best candidates for each scholarship.

Willard M. Henkelman, Esq. Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a graduate of a high school located in Lackawanna County who is enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at Princeton University.

The ASHRAE Region I Setty Family Foundation Scholarship offers a one-year award for undergraduate mechanical or architectural engineering students attending institutions in ASHRAE Region I or those who graduated from high schools in the area. Eligible candidates must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and meet specific program criteria, promoting excellence in HVAC&R education. This scholarship supports future leaders in the field, ensuring a sustainable built environment.

New Jersey students pursuing conservation-related higher education can receive funding for tuition and academic expenses through the William T. Schauer Conservation Scholarship, awarding US $2,500 to one recipient. Offered via Freehold Soil Conservation District, this opportunity supports fields like environmental conservation, soil science, water resource management, forestry, and related disciplines at post-secondary institutions.

The Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Special Education, offered by the UNICO Foundation, provides two scholarships of $2,500 each for U.S. students pursuing degrees in Special Education. Eligible candidates must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and plan to continue their studies into the 2026-2027 academic year. This scholarship supports students with various disabilities, ensuring that education is accessible and equitable for all.

The Robert J. Tarte Scholarship for Italian Studies, offered by the UNICO Foundation, supports students of Italian descent pursuing a major or minor in Italian Studies or Language. Valued at $1,000, this scholarship is awarded to full-time undergraduate students attending accredited institutions in the U.S. Eligible applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.0 and continue their studies through the 2026-2027 academic year, with preference given to those demonstrating financial need.

High school seniors from eligible central Minnesota schools planning to attend a four-year college outside Minnesota and nearby states can receive scholarship support for higher education. CommunityGiving provides New Jersey higher education students with the Ernest Morgan Memorial Scholarship, offering US $5,000 to student leaders or student athletes pursuing full-time study at a U.S.-based institution.

The ASHRAE New Jersey Chapter Scholarship supports undergraduate students in mechanical or architectural engineering at post-secondary institutions within New Jersey. To qualify, applicants must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 or rank in the top 30% of their class. Eligible programs include those with a recognized ASHRAE student branch or accredited by ABET or Engineers Canada. This scholarship aims to foster future leaders in HVAC&R by promoting education in sustainable building technologies.

New Jersey school districts and other local education agencies expanding AP/IB opportunities for disadvantaged students can access funding through the New Jersey Department of Education; awards range from US $50,000 - US $75,000 for educator training and program growth. Eligible LEAs must have at least one school meeting the federal schoolwide Title I definition.

New Jersey institutions of higher education with approved educator preparation programs can apply for New Jersey Department of Education grants to recruit and support teacher candidates for high-poverty school districts. Awards up to US $250,000 fund clinical placements and final-year financial support, with emphasis on preparing minority teachers for these districts.

Institutions of higher education in New Jersey with approved educator preparation programs can apply for New Jersey Department of Education’s Paraprofessional Grant, with awards up to US $235,000 to recruit and support paraprofessionals pursuing alternate-route teacher certification. Partnerships must include at least one high-poverty school district and focus on reducing financial and program barriers.

New Jersey nurses pursuing advanced pediatric-focused graduate nursing degrees can access funding through the Meland Foundation, with scholarships of US $2,000 - US $5,000. Eligible applicants hold a BSN and are in the NJ-NY-CT-PA area, seeking Nurse Practitioner, MSN, or DNP degrees in pediatrics.

New Jersey students pursuing higher education can apply for the Mary Elliott Wislar Memorial Scholarship, which supports two years of study at a four-year college, two-year college, or vocational school. Focused on higher education, Princeton Area Community Foundation invites Mercer County residents with demonstrated leadership and community involvement to seek this academic scholarship opportunity.

The Sergeant John Basilone Memorial Graduate Scholarship, offered by the UNICO Foundation, provides two awards of $3,000 each for graduate students of Italian descent. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens, enrolled full-time in accredited programs, and reside in specified states. The scholarship supports students pursuing graduate studies in the academic year 2026-2027. UNICO promotes Italian American heritage and community service, making this scholarship a valuable opportunity for deserving students.