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The basics:

• Brookdale Community College joins NJ Pay It Forward Program for fall 2025
• Zero-interest, no-fee loans for nursing and radiologic tech students
• Participants also receive stipends, mental health support

Brookdale Community College is joining the New Jersey Pay It Forward Program to help nursing and radiologic technology students fund their education. 

Launched in August 2022, the first-in-the-nation initiative provides students with zero-interest, no-fee loans at no upfront cost. The program covers the health care, information technology and clean energy fields. 

Beginning in fall 2025, BCC students enrolled in nursing and radiologic tech will be able to apply for the Pay it Forward loans. 

The college also noted participants will receive a monthly living stipend grant, one-time financial assistance and access to mental health services. 

“This partnership reflects Brookdale’s commitment to making high-quality education more accessible, especially in critical fields like health care,” BCC President David Stout said in a May 21 statement. “Through New Jersey Pay It Forward, we are helping our students enter the workforce with less financial burden, allowing them to focus on their education and career goals.” 

How it works 

The Pay It Forward program is a partnership between registered investment advisor nonprofit Social Finance, Gov. Phil Murphy, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, the New Jersey Higher Education Assistance Authority and the NJ CEO Council. 

Participating graduates who earn above a minimum salary (Social Finance gave an example of $50,730 for a household of three) pay back their loans through monthly repayments of 10% of their discretionary income for up to five years. Any graduate who does not earn the minimum salary after completing their training can apply for income-based deferment on their loan. 

Additionally, loan repayments go back into the fund to support future students.  

When the program launched, Murphy said, “New Jersey is the first state in the nation to model this innovative approach that will help residents obtain family-sustaining jobs and then pay their success forward by supporting future cohorts of students.”

The state provided an initial $7.5 million to launch NJ Pay It Forward.

At BCC, enrolled students must first be accepted into the qualifying programs. After, they will then need to complete a short counseling session with the school’s financial aid team and apply for the Pay It Forward program online.   

“The New Jersey Pay It Forward Program has been successful in supporting the healthcare workforce in New Jersey, and we are excited to add Brookdale Community College to the list of high-quality healthcare training providers,” added Hydie Kim Hudson, vice president of impact investments at Social Finance.

According to Social Finance, other higher education institutions participating in the program include:

• Camden County College
• Hudson County Community College
• New Jersey Institute of Technology
• Rowan College at Burlington County