New Jersey: scholarships, apprenticeships and free training

Rolling / ongoingFree collegeNJ

New Jersey Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG)

New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA)

HESAA says CCOG represents New Jersey's commitment to tuition-free community college: based on income, eligible residents can pursue a first associate degree tuition-free at a New Jersey community college. It covers remaining tuition (up to 18 credits per term) and approved education fees after other grants and scholarships. As stated, you must be a New Jersey resident with adjusted gross income of $0-$65,000, complete the FAFSA or NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application each year by the state deadline, enroll in at least six credits per semester, not yet have a college degree, and make satisfactory academic progress. Out-of-county tuition and fee differences are not covered.

Who it is for (as stated)

NJ residents with AGI $0-$65,000 and no college degree (other conditions as stated).

Cost or award (as stated)

Covers remaining tuition and approved fees after other aid (as stated)

Deadline or timing

State aid deadlines stated by HESAA: April 15 (returning TAG recipients) and September 15 (new students and others).

Source: https://www.hesaa.org/pages/ccog.aspx
Last verified: Oct 17, 2026. Official HESAA page read directly on the retrieval date. Confirm with the provider before applying.

Rolling / ongoingFunding helpNJ

New Jersey One-Stop Career Centers (every county)

New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development

NJDOL lists One-Stop Career Centers by county, staffed by employment counselors, offering job search assistance, training and education assistance, specialized services and on-site resource rooms with computers. The centers' listed services include career navigation and counseling, Jersey Job Club workshops, ESL classes, job training services, HSE preparation, interviewing and resume help, and tuition waiver, with specialized help for people with disabilities, mature workers, displaced homemakers, veterans, people with past convictions and youth ages 16-24. Each county listing gives an address, phone number and hours; services differ by location.

Who it is for (as stated)

Open to job seekers; some services have eligibility rules.

Cost or award (as stated)

Services free (as described); training funds if eligible

Deadline or timing

Ongoing; centers list weekday hours and holiday closures.

Source: https://www.nj.gov/labor/career-services/contact-us/one-stops/
Last verified: Oct 17, 2026. Official NJDOL page read directly on the retrieval date. Confirm with the provider before applying.

Rolling / ongoingApprenticeshipNJ

New Jersey: become an apprentice (NJDOL Office of Apprenticeship)

New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development

NJDOL describes registered apprenticeship as full-time employment combining paid on-the-job learning with classroom instruction, with pay increases as skills grow and a nationally recognized credential at the end, in fields such as construction, healthcare, IT, telecom, energy, advanced manufacturing, finance, hospitality and transportation. It says apprentices are paid while learning and that, depending on the program, a sponsor may cover training costs. To get information, use NJDOL's online form or email the apprenticeship office address published on the page; you apply through an employer or program sponsor.

Who it is for (as stated)

Each program sponsor sets its own requirements.

Cost or award (as stated)

Registered apprenticeships are paid employment with training (as stated)

Deadline or timing

Each sponsor sets its own dates.

Note: New Jersey appears on Apprenticeship.gov's list of federal Office of Apprenticeship field-office states.

Source: https://www.nj.gov/labor/career-services/apprenticeship/findaprogram.shtml
Last verified: Oct 17, 2026. Official NJDOL page read directly on the retrieval date. Confirm with the provider before applying.