New Jersey teachers in high-need subjects can apply for up to $20K in student loan relief
TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey teachers working in certain high-need subject areas can now apply for up to $20,000 in student loan relief in exchange for continuing to serve in eligible schools across the state.
The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority is accepting applications for a new round of the New Jersey Teacher Loan Redemption Program. Teachers hired on or after Jan. 18, 2022, can participate for up to four years beginning in the 2026-27 academic year if they meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
“Good teachers in every classroom are the backbone of a strong education. If we want to provide New Jersey students with the best possible education, we need to recruit and keep high-quality teachers,” said Governor Mikie Sherrill. “Maintaining a comprehensive workforce of talented educators through initiatives such as the New Jersey Teacher Loan Redemption Program is crucial to ensuring New Jersey can deliver an exceptional K-12 education to children throughout our state.”
The program is designed to recruit and retain teachers in high-need subjects at schools designated as eligible under state law.
Qualifying subject areas include mathematics, science, special education, English as a Second Language, world languages and Career and Technical Education.
“By alleviating the student loan debt of teachers educating students in high-need subject areas within eligible schools, participants are incentivized to serve in classrooms with the greatest need,” said HESAA Acting Executive Director Jerry Traino. “The New Jersey Teacher Loan Redemption Program is one of several programs HESAA administers throughout the year to help address the workforce demands of our state.”
Eligible teachers must be New Jersey residents, hold a current teaching certification from the New Jersey Department of Education and have been employed to teach in a high-need field at the time they were hired by their current employer. Applicants must also meet the program’s other eligibility requirements.
Annual student loan payments through the program are equal to 25% of a participant’s eligible principal and interest expenses, up to $5,000 per year. With participation available for up to four years, an eligible teacher could receive as much as $20,000 in student loan relief.
Approved applicants enter into a written contract with HESAA to participate.
“Being able to not only teach students something new and exciting every day but to also be there for them as a mentor is one of the things I love the most about being a teacher,” said Emily Loeb, an environmental and marine science teacher at Atlantic City High School who has participated in the program for the past two years. “As a participant in the Teacher Loan Redemption Program, I get to make a difference in my students’ lives while receiving support from the State in paying down my student loan debt. It’s a wonderful opportunity that I would encourage other New Jersey teachers to look into.”
Applications opened Aug. 14 and will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. Sept. 30, 2026. Teachers can find additional information and apply through HESAA’s website.
