<p>I have two kids in college in NJ, overlapping 4 years, and so far we have been able to cash-flow their tuition with the help of merit scholarships and grants. It IS possible to graduate without massive student loans!</p>
<p>One son’s 1st choice (private) school would have cost about $225,000 (after applying the scholarships they offered) to complete his degree. His 2nd choice school (one of NJ’s public universities) offered full scholarship. It was not a tough decision for him to attend his 2nd choice school!</p>
<p>If your daughter is in the top 15% of her graduating class, she will likely qualify for free tuition at NJ’s community colleges. Check out [NJSTARS.NET[/url</a>]. The NJStars II program is for students who transfer from a community college to one of NJ’s state schools. </p>
<p>If she doesn’t qualify for NJStars, the tuition at community colleges is amazingly low. For example, Monmouth County residents attending Brookdale per semester: “For in-county students, tuition is currently $115 per credit (to a maximum of $1,725, based on a 15-credit maximum).” </p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.njtransfer.org/]NJ”>http://www.njtransfer.org/]NJ</a> TRANSFER: Linking New Jersey’s Colleges and Universities](<a href=“http://www.njstars.net/]NJSTARS.NET[/url”>http://www.njstars.net/) gives the information you will need about how to determine which community college credits will automatically be accepted by NJ’s colleges and universities. </p>
<p>The guidance office at your daughter’s high school should have a lot of information to offer. Check to see if there will be a college fair, seminars for parents about financial aid, etc.</p>