Get Help with Educational Assistance for Children

Last Updated: 03/12/2024

Get help with educational assistance for your children such as Head Start, tutoring, afterschool and summer programs, and assistance with college prep.

For many of these programs, you will likely need to verify your household income.

Examples of income verification documents are pay stubs, bank statements, tax returns, W2 forms, 1099 forms, employer letters, unemployment documentation, or disability insurance. (FYI: This is similar to the information you provide when you apply for other programs, like SNAP or NJ Family Care Medicaid.)

Be sure to ask the organization that has a program you're interested in about their specific requirements. You may also need certain types of identification.

Statewide

Head Start Program Locator. Head Start and Early Head Start programs promote learning, health, and family well-being for children from low-income families. These services are available to pregnant women and children ages birth to five and their families. Local program staff help figure out whether you qualify, and let you know what types of documents and information you will need, and you find them by typing in your zip code and searching. You can also call 1-866-763-6481 to get information about local programs.

  • May be eligible for Head Start or Early Head Start services if your family's income is determined to be at or below the federal poverty level
  • Programs may enroll some children from families whose incomes are higher than the federal poverty level if they meet other eligibility requirements.
  • Families with circumstances such as homelessness, children in foster care, or receiving TANF or SSI may also qualify for services.)

Kinship Navigator Program is a program to support individuals caring for relatives' children, such as siblings, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren. Provides assistance with accessing various benefits and services, such as medical coverage, housing, legal fees, tutoring, and summer camp fees. Call 211 to be connected with Kinship Care resources as well your local Kinship Care Agency. Here is a list of agencies, the counties they serve, and their phone number:

  • CarePlus, NJ - (201) 398-9110 ext. 5645 (Serving Bergen, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren Counties);
  • The Salvation Army - (973)-623-5959 (Serving Essex County);
  • Children's Home Society - 1-800-396-4518 (Serving Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Union Counties);
  • Center for Family Services, 1-877-569-0350 (Serving Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties).

Children's Home Society of New Jersey offers a variety of programs for parents, caregivers, and children and their families, including family success centers, clinical and behavioral health services, mentorship afterschool programs, and pregnancy counseling. Call 609-695-6274 to learn about the programs and enrollment.
Camden County

Katz JCC Sari Isdaner Early Childhood Center - Financial Assistance Program.

  • Must register your child for the 2022-2023 school year before applying for financial assistance and pay the required deposit. The deposit is fully refundable, should you decide not to enroll if assistance is not rewarded.
  • Applications are on a rolling basis and are confidential. We recommend that you apply as soon as possible.
  • Assistance ranges from 5% to 50%, based on financial need.
  • 2022-2023 School Year Deadline: All financial assistance applications must be submitted by June 30, 2022 to receive assistance for the upcoming school year. For questions about the financial assistance process, please contact Doreen Greer at dgreer@jfedsnj.org. Apply here.

Essex County
East Orange Family Success Center. The center provides a variety of support programs for children and families, including drop-in activities on days when schools are closed, bonding activities, early childhood literacy workshops, and afterschool and summer enrichment and tutoring programs (Sankofa Academy). They also offer free tickets for families to attend cultural performances and activities. To learn more about how to access one or more of the programs, call 973-395-1442 or email eastorangeFSC@centerffs.org.

Succeed2Gether. This organization has multiple programs. Itsafter-school tutoring is via Zoom or in person. Email info@succeed2gether.org or call 973-746-0552 for more information. Its Pathways Forward program is for kids grade 8 and up, and offers services from study and time management skills to subject tutoring to SAT and test prep workshops to help with the college application and financial aid process; its application is here and requires income verification.

Union County

Bernice's Place, a program of The Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless. This organization provides after school and summer programming, including a healthy meal & snack, for homeless and economically disadvantaged children. (Children are bussed to and from the program site.) FYI: Parents are also able to access other programs and resources, such as rental assistance, transitional housing, and job-seeking support. Hours of operation are Monday 1-4; Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9-4. Located at 118 Division Street, Elizabeth New Jersey 07201. To learn more, call 908-355-2060 ext. 203 or email cgrajales@theelizabethcoalition.org.