Belltower on campus at night.

Tuition-Free Programs

A Bright Future, Without the Debt

At Montclair State University, we believe in breaking down barriers to higher education. Our mission is clear: empower you to graduate with little to no student debt. Our cost to value ratio is part of why we were named the top school in NJ for social mobility – and are ranked Top 10 nationwide – according to US News.

We’re committed to making college affordable, and we’re proud to offer two incredible programs that can help you graduate debt-free or with minimal debt:

Red Hawk Advantage Award (RHAA)

The RHAA is available to eligible incoming freshman and transfer students only. The Red Hawk Advantage Award provides up to four semesters of free tuition and fees to eligible New Jersey students at Montclair State University or Bloomfield College of Montclair State University. If your family’s federal Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) falls between $0 and $65,000, and your high school GPA is 3.0+, you may qualify for free tuition and general fees. Combined with the Garden State Guarantee Program, this means you could graduate with little to no debt!

This is more than an opportunity; it is an invitation to embrace your educational journey unburdened. Your aspirations, our commitment – let the Red Hawk Advantage Award pave the way to your academic success.

Funding is based on annual allocations from the University. RHAA does not apply to Housing and Meal costs.

Learn More about RHAA

Garden State Guarantee

The Garden State Guarantee is a financial aid program that may provide up to four semesters of free tuition and fees for New Jersey junior or senior students enrolled at Montclair State University and Bloomfield College of Montclair State University (or other 4-yr public NJ universities) based on the family’s federal Adjusted Gross Income (AGI):

  • A student with a family AGI between $0 and $65,000 will be eligible for free tuition and general fees.
  • If a student’s/parent(s)’ adjusted gross income is between $65,001 to $80,000, students will be able to receive assistance so their net cost for tuition and fees (out of pocket cost) is no more than $7,500 total for the fall and spring semesters combined ($3,750 per term).
  • If a student’s/parent(s)’ adjusted gross income is between $80,001 to $100,000, students will be able to receive assistance so their net cost for tuition and fees (out of pocket cost) is no more than $10,000 total for the fall and spring semesters combined ($5,000 per term).
Learn More

For other financial aid questions at Montclair, contact redhawkcentral@an-orange.com. For questions at Bloomfield, contact financial_services@bloomfield.edu.

For other undergraduate admissions questions, contact msuadm@an-orange.com (Montclair students) or bcadmissions@an-orange.com (Bloomfield students).