RU Financial Aid Handbook

The Aid Package

A combination of financial aid awards (i.e., loans, grants, scholarships, and student employment) is referred to as an aid package. Most awards are based on financial need, but in some cases awards are based on academic merit, special talent, or other criteria.

Determining Eligibility

The information that you and your parents provide on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Renewal Free Application for Federal Student Aid is used to determine you Expected Family Contribution. This analysis is regulated by the federal government. Your family's ability to contribute to the cost of your college education is assessed. Your financial need is determined by subtracting the Expected Family Contribution from the cost of attending Rutgers University for the academic year.

Qualifying for Financial Aid Programs at Rutgers University

First, you must file a financial aid application (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1 of each year. However, you should complete your application using accurate financial information from the previous year (your actual income, your parents' actual income). If tax returns are not available, you should complete the application using estimated income. The use of estimated income will require that you submit Federal tax forms to the Office of Financial Aid.

Second, you must also be admitted to a regular degree program at Rutgers University before your financial aid application can be processed.

Third, if additional information is requested from the Office of Financial Aid, you must provide it by the due date specified.

Once your record has been thoroughly reviewed, a financial aid package will be provided for you. Financial aid packages are based on the levels of demonstrated need.

The Federal Pell Grant is the first program included in your aid package, if you are eligible. Next, your state aid is added, beginning with the New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant (TAG), followed by any other state scholarships or grants for which you may be eligible. After PELL, TAG, and state scholarship/grants, you are then awarded additional federal and/or university grants if you demonstrate sufficient need. Rutgers University grants and scholarships are limited, but are awarded to eligible undergraduate students until funds are exhausted. Only after you have been considered for all available grants and scholarships are you considered for work-study and loans. Work-study is offered to incoming students who demonstrate need and to continuing students who have worked under the program in the previous year. Finally, loans are offered to complete your package and to address, to as great an extent as possible, remaining financial need.

Disbursement Methods

Financial aid is disbursed to eligible students at the beginning of each term and is credited directly to the student’s account. The amount of Direct Loan funds applied to a student’s account is reduced by an origination fee of up to 3 percent.

Federal Work-Study earnings are paid directly to the student employee for the actual hours worked during the most recent two-week pay period.

Additional Services

Due to the limitation of funds, many students do not receive enough financial aid to completely cover their demonstrated financial need. Additional sources of funding include part-time jobs, tuition plans, and alternative loans, such as PLUS and NJCLASS.

Changes to the Financial Aid Package

If you receive outside assistance (typically a scholarship) that exceeds the amount of unmet eligibility on your award offer, the university is required to reduce one or more of your aid sources. We make adjustments by reducing loans and work-study first, then other need-based aid. Note, that if you enroll less than full time, attend only one semester, or change your residency status (commuter, on campus, off campus), or move from undergraduate to graduate student status, your aid package will be adjusted accordingly.

In addition, if your need is exceeded because of eligibility changes, your package will be adjusted. This may include, but is not limited to, changes in income, the number of people in your family in college, and residency status. In some cases, aid is increased based on appeals due to special circumstances.

Appeals refer to the process of asking the Office of Financial Aid to review your application due to changes in income or expenses for you or your parents (if you are dependent).

When you apply for financial aid, the income and asset information from the previous tax year is used to determine how much you and your parents can contribute toward your educational expenses. An appeal is appropriate when you or your parents experience special circumstances such as the loss of income or a change in expenses not reported on your original financial aid application.

Financial aid counselors who specialize in reviewing these types of requests are available to assist you in meeting your educational expenses. In some cases, the counselors can amend your eligibility for aid by using current data that takes your special circumstances into consideration.

Please note that special circumstances require documentation.

Circumstances That May Be Considered

Circumstances that may be considered include, but are not limited to, the loss of nontaxable income (i.e., child support, social security benefits, aid to dependent children), or taxable income such as wages. Changes in income or assets due to separation, divorce, disability, retirement, alimony, or business failure also warrant reconsideration.

In all cases, these circumstances must be fully documented by providing tax returns, death certificates, court documentation, or letters from appropriate agencies, individuals, or employers.

Appeals Due to Unusual Expenses

Each year the Office of Financial Aid produces student expense budgets that reflect anticipated expenses for the full academic year. If you have non-discretionary expenses above and beyond the amount included in our student expense budget, you may ask for an increase in your budget. As in any special consideration, all requests for additional expenses must be documented.

For example, if you request a budget increase due to large expenses for books and supplies, you must provide receipts or an itemized list with prices of the needed items. We may allow a budget increase if your actual expenses exceed the student expense budget.

Expenses Outside the Student Expense Budget

In general, the eligibility formula used to analyze the information on your financial aid application considers most expenses incurred by your family. Some expenses that are outside your family's control may also be included. Expenses that may be considered are funeral, divorce, bankruptcy payments, back taxes, excessive medical costs, and certain legal fees. It is your responsibility to demonstrate that the expense is outside your family's control, or vital to your family's survival.

Other types of expenses that may be considered due to unusual circumstances are maintenance of two separate households (a vacation home will not be considered a separate household), support of an additional dependent, a parent living in a nursing home, moving expenses, employment relocation, special-needs tuition, certain automobile expenses, and insurance premiums.

Adjustments to your student expense budget may be made for these reasons if the expenses are reasonable, and can be documented. It is your responsibility to prove that such expenses are not discretionary.

The Appeal Process

An appeal may be made by submitting a letter to the Office of Financial Aid stating the details of the special circumstances and signed by you and/or your parent(s). All letters must include your full name and social security number.

Your request will be reviewed by a financial aid officer, and you will receive a response either approving your appeal, requesting additional documentation, or informing you that your request cannot be approved.

An appeal is reviewed only after all documentation has been received by the Office of Financial Aid. You will be notified of the results two to three weeks after all documentation is received and verified.

Additional Funding

If reconsideration results in increased eligibility for aid, you may receive additional awards, funds permitting.

Additional Information

For more information, Contact or visit the financial aid offices in New Brunswick, Newark, or Camden.

1. Refer to fact sheet titled Applying for Financial Aid.
2. Refer to fact sheet titled Student Employment and Federal Work-Study.