The College of New Jersey

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International Admission – FAQ for Undergraduate Applicants

Why do international students attend TCNJ?

Our award-winning university is highly ranked for its superior academic quality and value.  TCNJ is one of the best public institutions in the United States.

https://tcnj.pages.tcnj.edu/about/national-acclaim/

When can I apply to TCNJ?

TCNJ admits international applicants on a rolling basis. This means we will consider your application as soon as it is complete and all supporting materials are received.

TCNJ is a selective university.  Each year TCNJ has a limited number of spaces in each academic department and a limited number of international merit scholarships available.  You may send us materials for your application at any time.  However, students who submit a complete application as early as possible have the best chance of being admitted and receiving scholarship.

When is the last date I can submit an application?

General Deadlines

  • February 1 for classes that begin in August.
  • November 1 for classes that begin in January.

Other Deadlines

  • November 1 – Visual Art applicants for January start term must submit their portfolio for departmental review by this date.  Portfolio submission is optional for Art Education applicants.
  • November 1 – Applications for the seven-year medical programs and the seven-year optometry program must be submitted by this date and are accepted only for September admission.
  • November 19 – Music auditions must be completed by this date.
  • February 16 – Visual Art applicants for August start term must submit their portfolio for departmental review by this date.  Portfolio submission is optional for Art Education applicants.

When will I hear from TCNJ about my admission decision?

After we receive your complete application and supporting documents, students will be notified about Fall Admission on April 1 and Spring Admission on December 1.

How will I be notified if I am admitted to TCNJ?

If you are admitted to TCNJ, you will receive an electronic acceptance package via your application portal. In addition, you will receive a courtesy congratulations call from the Office of Admission (we encourage you to verify that the phone number(s) you provide in your Common Application or Coalition Application are valid and functioning) and a priority acceptance package from our office.

Will TCNJ help me get my VISA to study in the U.S.?

Yes.  If you are admitted to TCNJ, Ann Liberona, the International Student Advisor, will guide you through the process of obtaining your I-20 and applying for the F-1 student visa. Please visit the Visa Requirements page for more information. If you have questions about the I-20 or student visa process after you are admitted to TCNJ, contact Ann Liberona at liberona@tcnj.edu. 

What is the average class size at TCNJ?

One key reason why TCNJ is highly ranked is our average class size of just 21 students.  We know that students who get to know their fellow students and teachers in small classes are the most successful. There are approximately 6,800 undergraduate students attending TCNJ.

What kind of Return on Investment does TCNJ provide?

International students and families find the ROI for a TCNJ education outstanding.

96% of TCNJ students find a job or pursue an advanced degree after graduating.  Of some 4,000 universities in the U.S., Money Magazine ranks TCNJ as one of the top 20 public universities nationwide ‘most likely to pay off financially’, based on ROI data from PayScale.com.

From what countries do students apply to TCNJ?

International students apply from all parts of the world, including but not limited to:

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Cote D’Ivoire, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Estonia, FMR Yugoslav Rep of Macedonia, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Guyana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lebanon, Liberia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malawi, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zimbabwe.

What is the cost for international students at TCNJ?

Our comprehensive cost for international students includes tuition, room, board, fees, travel, health insurance, books, supplies and personal items, and is about $49,950 USD annually.  However, The College of New Jersey has a long history of providing a world-class education at a reasonable cost. In continuation of our mission of excellence, equity and affordability, TCNJ will meet these extraordinary times with a new level of support for our International and Out-of-State families.  For the incoming Fall 2021 class, TCNJ will recalibrate our out-of-state tuition rate, scaling it back by nearly $7000.

I believe I am a New Jersey resident and therefore should pay the in-state tuition rate. How can I confirm if this is the case?

Most International and Global students at TCNJ pay the out-of-state tuition rate.  However, if you are admitted to TCNJ and want to challenge your NJ residency status (and eligibility for in-state tuition), you must complete and submit the Residency Analysis Form. The residency analysis form and process are managed by the Office of Records and Registration and the process can only be completed after a student has been admitted to TCNJ.  Therefore, prospective students or applicants must wait until after they receive an admissions decision to pursue the residency analysis process. In addition, NJ residency status may impact a student’s eligibility for international merit-scholarship aid. Finally, if you are admitted to TCNJ and have additional questions about the process, feel free to connect directly with the Office of Records and Registration. Click here to find their contact information.  Finally, you can review TCNJ’s policy on New Jersey residency and eligibility for in-state tuition.

Do you offer scholarships to international students?

Yes. First-year applicants applying for the fall semester are eligible for partial, merit-based scholarship awards.

How much scholarship can I receive from TCNJ?

TCNJ offers partial, merit scholarship awards to highly talented first-year applicants applying for the fall semester.  The maximum scholarship available is $24,000 USD for 4 years of attendance ($6,000 USD per academic year).  The minimum scholarship for qualified applicants is $6,000 USD for 4 years of attendance ($1,500 USD per academic year).

Do you offer full scholarships to international students?

TCNJ does not offer full scholarships. However, TCNJ offers partial, merit scholarship awards to highly talented first-year applicants applying for the fall semester.  The maximum scholarship available is $24,000 USD for 4 years of attendance ($6,000 USD per academic year).  The minimum scholarship for qualified applicants is $6,000 USD for 4 years of attendance ($1,500 USD per academic year).

Do you offer need-based scholarships to international students?

TCNJ does not offer need-based scholarships to International and Global students. However, TCNJ offers partial, merit-based scholarship awards to highly talented first-year applicants applying for the fall semester.  The maximum scholarship available is $24,000 USD for 4 years of attendance ($6,000 USD per academic year).  The minimum scholarship for qualified applicants is $6,000 USD for 4 years of attendance ($1,500 USD per academic year).

How do I apply for an international merit scholarship?

There is no application process – all first-year International students admitted for the fall semester are automatically reviewed holistically for scholarship eligibility.  Your scholarship eligibility is based on several factors including the rigor of your curriculum, your academic performance (high school grades/marks), your standardized test results (if submitted), your recommendation letters from academic teachers, your application essay, and your community service and activities.

If I receive a scholarship from TCNJ, am I guaranteed to receive it for my 4 years of study?

Scholarships are renewable for up to 4 years as long as the recipient remains in good academic standing, meets the minimum course credit requirement per year, and maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher while at TCNJ.

When will I be notified if I have been awarded a merit scholarship?

If you are admitted to TCNJ, information about your scholarship eligibility will be included with your acceptance package.

Beyond merit scholarships are there other resources that can help me afford a TCNJ education?

There are a variety of resources available to international students to help make TCNJ affordable.  Please visit the following TCNJ link for additional information:

https://financialaid.tcnj.edu/sources-of-financial-aid/financial-assistance-for-international-students/

Who should apply as an international *first-year students?

* First-year – First-year applicants have or will have completed high school and have not attended any other universities in the past. 

Who should apply as an international *transfer?

* Transfer – Transfer applicants are currently enrolled at another university.  To be eligible to apply as a transfer an applicant must have earned or be in the process of earning at least 12 university credits with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

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