The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) announced the launch of the Highlander Gateway Scholarship, a major new financial aid program designed to enhance educational access and affordability for high-achieving first-time, full-time undergraduate students from New York and Pennsylvania.
Starting with the incoming Fall 2026 class, the scholarship guarantees that every eligible student from these two states who receives a merit-based scholarship will have the entire out-of-state tuition differential fully covered by the scholarship. This commitment effectively removes the financial burden of non-resident costs, ensuring students receive the full benefit of their merit award.
“This new initiative directly reflects NJIT’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to a high-quality, affordable education,” Susan Gross, senior vice provost for enrollment management said. “By removing the financial hurdle of the out-of-state tuition differential, we are making an NJIT degree more attainable and appealing to talented students across New York and Pennsylvania, thereby strengthening our role and reach in the metropolitan area.”
The Highlander Gateway Scholarship is a strategic effort to support talented students who might otherwise be deterred by the financial hurdles of attending an out-of-state institution. All New York and Pennsylvania applicants offered admission will be automatically considered for the award, requiring no separate application. The scholarship is renewable, provided students maintain academic progress and GPA standards.
The initiative is expected to significantly increase the enrollment of high-achieving students from the neighboring states, reinforcing NJIT’s strong connections to the region’s innovation and workforce ecosystem. By broadening the pool of academic excellence, NJIT aims to solidify its position as a regional leader in education, research, and economic development, and to support the long-term pipeline of future leaders.
