HESAA University Course Descriptions
Intro to NJ STARS
This course takes an in-depth look at the NJ STARS program and its administration. Topics include program history, eligibility requirements, application process, deadlines, recruitment file and working with applicant rosters and certification forms. Each disbursement, reconciliation and payment roster is discussed in detail. Real life examples will be presented throughout the training to determine NJ STARS eligibility. The session also covers commonly overlooked topics and procedures that may keep your institution out of compliance with regulations and policies for NJSTARS.
NJSTARS II
This course offers in-depth look at the NJ STARS II program and its administration. Topics include program history, eligibility requirements, application process, deadline dates, recruitment file and using the applicant rosters and certification forms. Each disbursement, reconciliation and payment roster is discussed in detail. Real life examples will be presented throughout the training to determine NJ STARS II eligibility. The session also covers commonly overlooked topics and procedures that may keep your institution out of compliance with regulations and policies for NJ STARS II.
NJFAMS: Certification and Payment Training
This course will provide an overview of the NJFAMS certification and payment request processes. HESAA staff will lead the discussion and training.
NJFAMS Verification Screen and Making Updates for 24-25
This course focuses on the details of the NJFAMS verification screen, FTIM data vs. manually entered data, and what to update when making income changes in NJFAMS.
Best Practices for Acceptable Documentation
This course will provide an overview of typical documents HESAA asks for in the verification process and an in-depth review of acceptable documentation for verification, dependence status, and residency reviews. HESAA staff will lead the discussion and training, including a panel of HESAA staff for a Q&A session.
Best Practices for NJFAMS Reports
This course will provide an overview of all the school reports that are available in NJFAMS to assist you in the awarding, disbursing, and reconciliation of state aid. A more in-depth, hands on review of the selected reports will be included. HESAA staff will lead the discussion and training.
Public Benefits Training
The New Jersey Department of Human Services will provide training on the programs that it administers that could be of assistance to college students. These programs include Medicaid (health insurance), SNAP (food assistance), TANF (cash assistance), Child Care and Child Support. HESAA Grants & Scholarships will close to talk about the planned integration of information from DHS, update on Foster Care certification/verification and treasury data verification systems.
All Things HESAA & NJFAMS Student and School Portals
This course is perfect for new staff and is a great refresher for experienced financial aid or EOF officers. This course offers an in depth overview of all of HESAA’s websites, State programs and NJFAMS student and school portals. Topics will include information on where to find specific information on program eligibility, program requirements, online resources, and deadlines. Staff will learn where to go to register for a Real Money 101 sessions, Institutional HESAA training, and FAFSA/New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application sessions. This session will also provide a look into what the student sees when logging into NJFAMS and tips on how financial aid staff can assist students in completing their NJFAMS requirements by checking the school side of the students NJFAMS account.
NJCLASS Originations
This course provides an overview of NJCLASS products and policies. Topics include the NJCLASS Family Loan, NJCLASS ReFi+ Loan, NJCLASS Consolidation Loan, Certification process, Loan limits, Disbursement methods, and the Return of funds procedures.
Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG)
The CCOG program provides an affordable pathway to earning a postsecondary education and is the first half of New Jersey’s College Promise. This course offers an in-depth look into the institutions’ responsibilities in administering CCOG. Topics will include eligibility based on other aid, approved fees, adjusted gross income levels, and enrollment status. The session will also cover certification requirements and provide examples throughout the training to determine CCOG eligibility. Participants will leave the session with an understanding of how to administer the CCOG program and how CCOG works in tandem with the Garden State Guarantee to make up the New Jersey College Promise.
Dependent/Independent for State Aid…that is the Question
This course will review the dependency status questions on the FAFSA and acceptable documentation to support an affirmative response to each question to be considered for State aid. This course will also review State policies and procedures and acceptable documentation relating to dependency overrides. Examples of common dependency status cases will be discussed.
Institutional Responsibilities for Special Circumstances
The purpose of this training is to give examples of the acceptable circumstances that you can assist your students with when it comes to State programs. We will discuss some recommended best practices when processing projected year changes.
Garden State Guarantee
This course offers a deeper dive into the GSG program and campus responsibilities in administering this program. Topics will include eligibility requirements, acceptable fees, other aid, and income level scenarios. We will cover certification requirements and provide examples to determine GSG eligibility.
