NJ State Department of Labor (DOL) Waiver Program

Eligible unemployed or laid-off New Jersey residents can access select tuition-free courses designed to build in-demand skills, support workforce training and help prepare for new career opportunities.

About the NJ State DOL Training Program

Montclair State University participates in this state-mandated program where eligible unemployed individuals can enroll in a course that will provide them with job skills to assist them in gaining reemployment pursuant to NJSA  18A:64-13.2 and NJAC 12:23-1, et. seq.

  • Summer 2026 Term Application Cycle
    Opens: First Monday of April
    Closes: First Monday of May 
  • Fall 2026 Term Application Cycle
    Opens: last Monday of July
    Closes: last Monday of August
  • Winter 2027 Term Application Cycle
    Opens: last Monday of October
    Closes: last Monday of December
  • Spring 2027 Term Application Cycle
    Opens: First Monday of December
    Closes: First Monday of January

Program Eligibility Requirements

Contact the NJ Department of Labor (DOL) to determine eligibility for the tuition waiver program. Interested individuals must: 

 If approved by the NJ DOL, students interested in participating in the Unemployment Tuition Waiver Program at Montclair State University:

  • May not apply for, or be currently enrolled in, degree-granting or certificate-granting programs at the University. Registration in a course, or enrollment in a degree or certificate program, will result in denial of the waiver.
  • Upon NJ DOL approval to participate, participants must submit a signed and completed NJ DOL “Unemployed Person Job Training Form” to unpwaivprog@montclair.edu for review
  • Cannot register before the first day of the term
  • Can register only if seats remain available on the first day of classes. No exceptions and departmental restrictions may apply
  • Accept responsibility to pay the mandatory registration fee and all applicable student fees before the end of the add/drop period
  • Remain in good academic standing in accordance with University academic policies.

More information regarding Montclair State University and the NJ State DOL Training Program can be found in Frequently Asked Questions.

If you have further questions regarding your participation in this program at Montclair, please contact unpwaivprog@montclair.edu.

How to Apply

  1. Step 1 – Verify Eligibility

    Verify eligibility with the New Jersey Department of Labor (NJ DOL) directly. Only those students who are authorized by the NJ DOL and their Workforce Development counselor, will be eligible to apply to take applicable courses at Montclair. Eligibility does not guarantee admission to the University or the tuition waiver.

  2. Step 2 – Apply

    If you are eligible for the program through the NJ DOL, apply to the University through the appropriate Admissions office.

  3. Step 3 – Complete the Questionnaire

    Email unpwaivprog@montclair.edu to obtain and complete the mandatory questionnaire. 

    Please Note: This questionnaire is only sent to students once they have been admitted to the University.

  4. Step 4 – Complete the FAFSA

    Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you have not already submitted a FAFSA form for the current academic year, please visit the FAFSA website to begin the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

The state established the program to assist qualified unemployed persons in gaining instruction that will provide them with identifiable job skills to gain reemployment.

Montclair State University assumes, and is responsible for, all costs covered under the tuition waiver.

Approval via the Department of Labor/Workforce Development Agency is only one component of the overall tuition waiver application process at the University. Each NJ College or University conducts their own tuition waiver application and review process to ensure that all tuition waiver approvals are in keeping with the state regulation.

The Unemployed Persons Tuition Waiver covers the cost of tuition for a course(s) and the following fees (minus any PELL/TAG grant assistance): General Service Fee, Facilities Fee and Computer/ Technology Fee. Participating students are responsible for paying (or having financial aid cover) the cost of equipment, materials, textbooks and laboratory or equipment usage fees required for a specific course or program, as well as fees which are dedicated to self-sustaining funds, such as parking charges, room and board and other optional user fees plus the mandatory $20.00 administrative fee.

No. Participants must formally apply for the tuition waiver each semester if there is a course applicable to retraining. Entire degree or certificate programs are not covered by the waiver.

Participants will be permitted to register for courses on or after the first day of classes for the term in which they are receiving the waiver. For summer sessions, students will be permitted to enroll on the first day of the session they which to take only. Student will not be permitted to register for summer courses prior to the start of the session they wish to take.

Yes, participants will only be authorized to enroll in an approved course(s) through the final day of the Add/Drop period. Following the final day of Add/Drop, participants will be ineligible to enroll in courses for the remainder of the semester.

No. The tuition waiver program is a space availability program. Therefore, participants can only register for those course sections with available seats. Participants are not eligible for permits in to closed course sections.

No. Participants are not eligible to receive a permit for restricted courses. If they apply for a course for which they have not met the prerequisite their application will be denied.

Participants must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress by earning no less than a C- in any authorized course.

Participants in good academic standing maintain at least a minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.00 and a semester GPA of a 2.00 for all semesters enrolled.

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