New Jersey World Trade Center Scholarship

About this scholarship

The New Jersey World Trade Center Scholarship supports dependent children and surviving spouses of people who were New Jersey residents on September 11, 2001 and were killed in the attacks, died from attack-related injuries or exposure illness, or are missing and officially presumed dead because of the attacks. The state board set the 2026–27 maximum at $7,500 annually, or $3,750 per semester. The actual award cannot exceed tuition, fees, room, and board and may be adjusted for other aid and available program funding. Recipients may attend any Title IV-eligible college or university in New Jersey or another state. Applicants must be citizens, eligible noncitizens, or eligible to file the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application; enroll full time as undergraduates; maintain satisfactory academic progress; and have payments remaining. A dependent child must apply within eight years after high school graduation, while a spouse must apply within eight years after the qualifying death. Verification includes proof that the deceased was a New Jersey resident on September 11, an original or certified death certificate or acceptable copy, a physician statement when illness caused the death, and proof of registration with an appropriate state or federal registry when applicable. Students apply through NJFAMS and complete the specific WTC application. The deadline is October 1 for fall and March 1 for spring.

Eligibility

• Be a dependent child or surviving spouse of a qualifying September 11 victim
• Show that the deceased was a New Jersey resident on September 11, 2001
• Be a U.S. citizen, eligible noncitizen, or eligible New Jersey Dreamer
• Enroll full time in an undergraduate program at a Title IV-eligible college or university
• Apply within eight years of high school graduation as a child or within eight years of death as a spouse
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress and have program payments remaining
• Provide the required death, residency, relationship, physician, and registry documentation
• Complete the World Trade Center Scholarship application in NJFAMS
• Apply by October 1 for fall entry or March 1 for spring entry