Costs keeping you away from higher education? NJ university wants to help

🏫Begins fall 2025

🏫Must be a NJ resident, among other requirements

🏫Filling the gap in financial aid

LAWRENCE (Mercer) — Roughly 78% percent of families last year removed a school from their list of choices based on its cost, according to a 2023 Sallie Mae/Ipsos national study.

But at Rider University, a new program aims to keep more cash in undergraduates’ pockets: Rider Tuition Guarantee. The fall 2025 semester will launch the savings effort.

Rider is one of several institutions of higher education offering this type of program for students receiving full Federal Pell and New Jersey Tuition Aid grants. Last year, Georgian Court University in Ocean County announced a "GCU Promise" to cover tuition and fees other than room and board starting this fall semester.

The Rider program is inactive during the winter and spring terms.

The enrollee doesn’t have to do extra steps — automatic consideration will happen when someone fills out the FAFSA by the school’s priority deadline.

Program duration, frequently asked questions and more can be found here.

Program requirements

• Be from New Jersey
• 3.5 or higher GPA
• Household adjusted gross income being $50,000 or less
• Receive both full Tuition Aid Grants (TAG) and Pell Grants

What’s not covered

• books
• school fee
• technology fee
• student fee
• room and board

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