William Paterson offers free tuition to some students

William Paterson University created a four-year funding path that will give some New Jersey students with significant financial need free or reduced-cost tuition, according to a June 2 announcement.

The university’s existing Pledge 4 Success program, augmented by the state’s new Garden State Guarantee launching this fall, will cover tuition and fees not already paid by scholarships or federal and state financial aid for in-state students with a family adjusted gross income of $65,000 or less.

New Jersey students whose families have an annual adjusted gross income between $65,001 and $80,000 will pay a discounted net price of no more than $7,500 for tuition and fees per year for up to four years.

“At William Paterson University, we are committed to helping our students with significant financial need achieve their dream of a college education,” said President Richard Helldobler. “By combining our Pledge 4 Success program and New Jersey’s Garden State Guarantee Program, we can provide more students with the financial support they need to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in four years and reduced student loan debt.”

All New Jersey residents are eligible for the Pledge 4 Success/Garden State Guarantee Program. Students must be enrolled full time, taking no fewer than 12 credits per semester, and working toward their first bachelor’s degree. Continuing students and incoming transfer students are eligible but must have earned no more than 126 credits.

Students will be automatically considered and subsequently enrolled if eligible in these programs upon completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application.