Hudson County Community College students at the launch event of the New Jersey Pay It Forward Program in August 2022.

New Jersey Pay It Forward Program

Impact Investments, Education, Workforce & Economic Mobility

Highlights

$14.8MRevolving workforce fund to upskill residents and fill critical job openings

100+

Learners enrolled as of April 2023

Social Finance is partnering with Governor Phil Murphy, the State of New Jersey, and the NJ CEO Council on the nation’s first Pay It Forward program to prepare New Jersey residents for in-demand jobs in industries like health care, IT, and clean energy.

The New Jersey Pay It Forward Program provides zero-interest, no-fee loans for participants to enroll in high-quality job training, especially those who may not have the savings to pay for training or the credit history for a loan. Participants pay no upfront costs and receive living stipends and supportive services including access to emergency aid funds and mental health counseling to help them succeed.

After completing training, if participants earn above a minimum salary (e.g., $49,290 for those with a household of three), they pay back their loans through monthly repayments of 10% of their discretionary income for up to five years. If they don’t earn more than this minimum salary, they pay nothing. Participants also do not have to pay back their living stipends or cost of supportive services.

77%

Percent of participants without a four-year degree

There is no return to investors and all loan repayments are recycled back into the fund to support future learners. The program intends to collect and publish information on student outcomes and the effectiveness of the Pay It Forward model.

FAQ  |  Overview for Interested Learners  |  Student Bill of Rights
Programmer working with program code

Cybersecurity

The Cybersecurity Professional Bootcamp at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is a 10-month online course that can be financed through NJ Pay It Forward loans. To enroll, register here or call (973) 688-5050.

Three registered nursing graduates of Hudson County Community College, a training provider in the New Jersey Pay It Forward Program, pose in front of an "RN" sign at their pinning ceremony.

Nursing

The Nursing Program at Hudson County Community College is a two-year program that can be financed through NJ Pay It Forward loans. To enroll, register here or call (201) 360-4754.
Photo courtesy of Jersey Pictures.

Air Conditioning Repair

HVAC or Welding

The HVAC Program and Welding Technology Program at Camden County College are nine-month courses that can be financed through NJ Pay It Forward loans. To enroll, register here or call (856) 374-4955.

75%

Percent of participants who are people of color

We partner with proven, high-quality training programs that have a track record of strong employment outcomes, employer relationships, and experience serving learners from diverse backgrounds. If you have a job training program in health care, IT, or clean energy and are interested in offering the NJ Pay It Forward loan to your students, please contact our team.

For Current Students

Current NJ Pay It Forward students can use the links below to request supportive services, including a nonrepayable living stipend, mental health services, and emergency financial assistance.

Current NJ Pay It Forward students can access information about their Community Financial Resources/U.S. Bank Focus Prepaid Visa Debit Card below, in English or in Spanish.

How It Works

 
 
Pay It Forward, developed in collaboration with Social Finance, will make New Jersey stronger and fairer by providing access to job training for residents who need it most. Creating equitable opportunities is what we stand for.

Governor Phil Murphy

State of New Jersey

Phil Murphy Headshot
The NJ Pay It Forward Program allows individuals to pursue upward economic mobility for themselves and their families without the burden of high-interest private loans.

Brian Bridges

Secretary of Higher Education, State of New Jersey

Brian Bridges Headshot

Insights

News

Partners and Supporters

Header photo courtesy of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s Office, photographed at the launch event of the New Jersey Pay It Forward Program held at Hudson County Community College.

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