Q1: What are the eligibility requirements to participate in the ATCLRP?

A1: To qualify for the ATCLRP, an applicant must meet all of the following requirements:

• Be a New Jersey resident and maintain residency in the State throughout program participation;
• Have been hired by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on or after January 12th, 2026;
• Be employed as an eligible air traffic controller at an approved site; and
• Have an outstanding student loan(s) that is not in default.

Q2: How is my "hire date" determined for ATCLRP eligibility?

A2: Your hire date is the date you were initially hired by the FAA.

Q3: What qualifies as an eligible site?

A3: Eligible sites are airports located within New Jersey or operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey or a Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), Air Route Control Center (ARTCC), or any other similar FAA facility serving an airport located within New Jersey or operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Click here for a full list of eligible sites.

Q4: I do not live in New Jersey. Am I eligible to participate in the program?

A4: No, you are not eligible to participate in the program if you live outside of New Jersey. You must reside in New Jersey to participate in the program. Participants must be New Jersey residents both at the time of application and throughout the duration of program participation.

Q5: Does the eligible site I am employed at have to be located in New Jersey?

A5: No. If the location is not in New Jersey it must be an airport, or serve an airport, operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Q7: Am I required to have a specific degree or certification to be employed as an air traffic controller through the FAA?

A7: Applicants must meet all requirements established by the FAA to be hired as an air traffic controller. HESAA does not impose additional degree requirements beyond those required by the FAA.

Q8: How long is my service obligation, and what happens if I do not complete a full year of service?

A8: Participants selected for the ATCLRP must enter into a written contract with HESAA that outlines their approved employment service obligation. The minimum service requirement is one full year from the start of your contract start date to be eligible for student loan redemption. The maximum service commitment is four years, for a total of up to $100,000 in student loan redemption.

Although you may withdraw from the program at any time, payments are made at the end of each completed year of service. If you do not complete a full year, HESAA will not issue a payment to your student loan servicer(s), your participation in the ATCLRP will end, and you will not be eligible to reapply in the future.

Q9: What happens if I relocate to a different site while participating in the ATCLRP?

A9: If you relocate to another approved site you will remain eligible for the ATCLRP. However, if you relocate to a new site that is not an airport located within New Jersey or operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, or a Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), Air Route Control Center (ARTCC), or any other similar FAA facility serving an airport located within New Jersey or operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, then you will no longer be eligible for the ATCLRP.

Q10: I started working at an approved site prior to applying for the program. Can I receive service credit for the time I worked at the approved site prior to applying?

A10: No. Service credit begins once you finalize your contract with HESAA. You do not receive service credit for any prior years of work.

Q11: What types of loans are eligible for redemption?

A11: Federal, NJCLASS, and private student loans used for higher education are eligible for redemption under the ATCLRP. Loans borrowed by someone else on your behalf (e.g., Parent PLUS loans), loans you borrowed or co-signed on behalf of someone else, and non-student loans (e.g., home equity loans, even if used to pay for your degree) are not eligible for redemption under this program. Additionally, student loans that have already been paid off are not eligible for reimbursement under this program.

Q12: Can I participate in the program if my student loans are in default?

A12: Student loans in default are not eligible for the program. Student loans that are not in default are eligible for loan redemption even if some of the applicant's other loans are in default.

Q13: Do I have to pay New Jersey State income tax on loan redemption payments?

A13: HESAA does not offer legal or tax advice. Please consult an attorney, accountant, and/or tax advisor for specific guidance. As of July 2023, the New Jersey Division of Taxation's guidance for New Jersey Gross Income Tax (GIT) states as follows: "cancellation of debt (COD) or forgiveness of debt income is not subject to tax. For example, student loan debt forgiveness." For more details, you can review the New Jersey Division of Taxation's guidance here.

Please note, HESAA is not responsible for any changes or updates to this external tax guidance due to changes in law or interpretation after the date provided.

Q14: Do I have to pay federal income tax on loan redemption payments?

A14: HESAA does not provide legal advice on possible tax obligations resulting from receipt of ATCLRP benefits. Beneficiaries of ATCLRP remain personally responsible for, and should consult with their tax advisors for advice on, any tax obligations resulting from benefits paid on their behalf.

Q15: Can I participate in the ATCLRP if I am working toward federal student loan forgiveness under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)?

A15: Yes, you can participate in the ATCLRP while working toward federal student loan forgiveness under the PSLF Program.

Q16: Do I need to continue to pay my student loans while participating in the ATCLRP?

A16: Yes, you must continue to make your regular student loan payments while participating in the ATCLRP. HESAA will send the loan redemption payments directly to your student loan servicer(s) at the end of each year of service.

Q17: How and when do I apply to the ATCLRP?

A17: You may apply to the program once applications are open by visiting the ATCLRP page on the HESAA website. Participants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to available funds.

You will need to create an account in HESAA's online portal, while returning users — those with any existing HESAA NJCLASS loans, NJBEST Matching Grant accounts, or a previous HESAA loan redemption program application — can log in to start their application. Please note, this is not your NJFAMS login.

Q18: What documentation do I need to submit with my application?

A18: To submit a completed application, you must provide the following required documents:

• Transcript(s) from each school for which the student loans to be redeemed were borrowed;
• Standard Form 50 (SF-50) Personnel Form;
• Completed Employer Certification Form(s);
• Billing statement dated within 30 days of the application submission date;
• New Jersey State-Issued ID; and
• Student Loan Summary: Detailed documentation of eligible student loans, including the lender's name, current balance, account number(s), and loan disbursement dates.*

*Please Note: If your eligible student loans have been consolidated, you must also provide the loan details for all of the original underlying loans included in your consolidation loans, including the account number(s) and the loan disbursement dates for each underlying loan.

Q19: Can I submit the application now and send the supporting required documentation later?

A19: No. You must upload all required documents before submitting your application. Your application is not considered complete unless all required documentation is uploaded. Your application will not be added to the first-come, first-served queue to be considered for eligibility unless it is complete.

Q20: What happens if my employer refuses to complete my employment certification form?

A20: Participation in the ATCLRP requires a signed employment certification form from your Human Resources Representative. If your employer refuses to complete the certification, HESAA cannot redeem your loans and your participation in the program will be denied (for new applicants) or terminated (for current participants).

Q21: What happens if the program runs out of money?

A21: The ATCLRP is funded by an appropriation in the annual State budget. As a result, funding for new participants in the program is subject to availability each year. However, once you are accepted into the program (with a signed service agreement), funds are reserved for your entire service term.

Q22: Can I reapply to the program if my prior application was denied due to insufficient funding or is my application automatically reconsidered when new funding becomes available?

A22: If you were previously denied due to insufficient funding, you will need to reapply when/if new funding becomes available.

Q23: Do I have to reapply each year if I am a current participant in the ATCLRP?

A23: You do not need to reapply each year if you are a current participant in the ATCLRP. Once you are accepted into the ATCLRP and have signed your service agreement, program funds are reserved for your entire service commitment. However, your employer must certify your employment annually in order to remain in the ATCLRP and to initiate payment by HESAA to your student loan servicer(s).

Q24: When will I be notified if I am accepted into the program?

A24: You will be notified of your acceptance status via mail once the review and selection process is complete. Be sure to monitor your mailbox and check your application status online for updates.

Q25: How is the student loan redemption amount applied to my student loans?

A25: HESAA will send the loan redemption payments directly to your student loan servicer(s). The payments will be applied toward your outstanding student loan balance, and you will receive confirmation once the payments are processed and sent to your lender. You should check your student loan account to verify that the payment was received, but please allow some time for the lender to post the payment to your account. You must continue to make your regular student loan payments while participating in the ATCLRP.

Q26: I returned the signed service agreement. When will my student loans be redeemed?

A26: Each year you will receive an "Employment Certification" form to be completed by your employer. Once HESAA receives your completed form and updated billing statement(s) for all of your eligible student loans, HESAA will issue a payment directly to your servicer(s).

Q27: What happens if I take a leave of absence during my service obligation?

A27: If you take a leave of absence during your service obligation, you must submit written notification to HESAA detailing your last day of work, the type of leave time used (e.g., family or medical leave), and the date you plan to return to work. You are required to follow the leave of absence policy of your employer. HESAA will adjust contract years to account for approved leave.

Q28: What can I do if my application is denied?

A28: If your application is denied, HESAA will provide written notification explaining the reasons for the denial. The letter will include instructions on where to send a written appeal, along with any supporting documentation, which must be submitted within 30 days of the date of the denial notice. HESAA will review your appeal and respond within 30 days. If your appeal is denied, you may make a further appeal to the New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division.

Q29: What supporting documentation should I include with my appeal?

A29: When submitting your appeal, include any supporting documents that you believe could clarify your eligibility as related to the reasons provided in the denial letter or confirm that you submitted all required documents at the time of application. Please note, if you did not provide any required documents at the time of application, you cannot complete your application by submitting the required documents upon appeal.

Q30: How long does the appeals process take?

A30: Once an appeal is submitted, HESAA will review your appeal and provide a written response within 30 days of receiving it.

Q31: How will I be notified of the outcome of my appeal?

A31: HESAA will notify you in writing of the outcome of your appeal.

Q32: Can I reapply if my appeal is denied?

A32: If your appeal is denied, you can reapply in the future if you meet the eligibility criteria at that time.