Financial Support Up to Full Tuition Now
New Jersey students seeking an affordable college education may be able to gain additional financial support to cover tuition and fees under the new GCU Promise program, announced this fall by Georgian Court University.
The GCU Promise is intended to provide extra help to first-year and transfer students in financial need to make a college education a reality.
“We are extremely proud to announce the GCU Promise initiative to future and current students of our university community,” stated Dr. Joseph R. Marbach, President of Georgian Court University.
“Opening the doors to a college education for students who may have a hardship has always been a university priority, with 99% of our students receiving scholarships or financial aid,” explained Dr Marbach. “The GCU Promise furthers this commitment and extends life-changing support to enable students to access a Mercy-driven, comprehensive, liberal arts education at Georgian Court for little to no cost.”
The GCU Promise program is available to full-time, undergraduate students who meet specific income requirements. Students must be New Jersey residents who receive a full Federal Pell Grant (PELL) and New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant (TAG). Current GCU students who meet these qualifications are also eligible for the GCU Promise program, which will be effective starting in the fall ’24 semester and available to all qualifying students.
GCU Promise covers the cost of all general fees and up to the full cost of tuition based on financial need, and students will continue receiving support for their education as long as they remain eligible for Pell and TAG grants. Room and board, books, and individual class or lab fees are not included. Funding for GCU Promise comes from private sources such as donors and institutional aid.
Students in community college under the Garden State Guarantee program who receive full Pell and TAG grants can transfer to Georgian Court University, a private Catholic university, and still receive the same financial benefits to cover fees and tuition they would have received at a New Jersey public university through GCU Promise.
“We hope the GCU Promise will help tear down the cost barriers to achieving the dream of earning a college degree,” said Dr. Marbach. “This is particularly important now as rising interest rates and inflation, anxiety over student loans, and shifting workforce requirements make it more difficult for many individuals to pursue higher education.”
There is no separate application process for the GCU Promise. Students must complete the FAFSA, and then select GCU to receive their financial aid information. If the student is eligible for full TAG and Pell grants, the GCU Promise will be included in their proposed financial aid package to attend Georgian Court. Upon committing to and enrolling in the university, they will receive this benefit.
Parents or students who have questions about the GCU Promise program can contact:
Admissions Office: Admissions@georgian.edu, 732-987-2700
Financial Aid Office: Financialaid@georgian.edu, 732-987-2258
