Frequently Asked Questions

• What forms do I need to complete to apply for financial aid?
• How often do I apply for financial aid?
• What is the FAFSA Title IV Code for Rutgers?
• What is the deadline to apply for financial aid?
• Do I have to be admitted to Rutgers before applying for financial aid?
• Can I still apply if I missed the deadline?
• What is the maximum family income cutoff for financial aid?
• What factors are considered in determining financial aid?
• Do I need to submit copies of my family's federal tax returns to the Office of Financial Aid?
• Do I need a separate application for a Student Loan? For a Parent Loan?
• How do I apply for Work-Study?
• What if my family circumstances change after I apply?
• Is there aid available for summer session and how do I apply?
• Can part-time students receive financial aid?
• Can I receive financial aid from RU to attend a study-abroad program?
• Where can I find information about scholarships?
• How will an outside scholarship affect my financial aid award from Rutgers?
• What will happen to my financial aid award if I drop a course or withdraw from the University?
• Does RU offer a tuition payment plan?
• Will I get a new bill if there are changes in my registration financial aid, dining or housing?
• What do I do if charges are missing from my term bill?
• Will I receive a refund if my financial aid award is more than my semester charges? and if so, when will it be ready?
• What do I do if my financial aid isn't on my term bill?

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Paper copies are available at your high school guidance office, one of the regional financial aid offices at Rutgers, or by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center toll-free at 1-800-4FEDAID. The FAFSA cannot be completed before January 1 of the year during which you plan to attend Rutgers.

The FAFSA is valid for one year (July 1 through June 30), so it is necessary to reapply each year.

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To be considered for all financial aid funds, your FAFSA must be received by the Federal Processor on or before March 15 of each year.

The deadline for applying for a Tuition Aid Grant from the State of New Jersey, which also requires submission of the FAFSA, is October 1 for incoming freshmen; June 1 for returning students.

Prospective students who apply for financial aid must also apply for admission and be accepted into a regular degree program at Rutgers University before any consideration or decision on financial can be made. However, you should not wait for formal acceptance to Rutgers University to apply for financial aid; apply early for both financial aid and admission.

Yes. Although applications can be submitted at any time during the academic year, FAFSA's received after our priority filing date of March 15 will be considered for funding only after all on-time filers have been awarded and then only if funds are available.

There is no specific cutoff. Each family's financial situation is different.

Variables, such as family size, number of family members in college, age of older parent, and asset information are included in the calculation of a student's financial need.

We will request copies of all required documents after your FAFSA is initially reviewed. Do not submit any documents to our office unless we have specifically requested you do so.

No. You only need to submit a FAFSA to be considered for a Direct Student Loan. If eligible, you will be notified to complete an electronic master promissory note.

If your parent would like to apply for a Direct Parent Loan, contact our office and request a Direct PLUS application packet, which includes an amount request/refund release form and an application/promissory note.

There is no separate application required to apply for work-study. You must complete the FAFSA by the priority filing deadline and demonstrate financial need. After being notified of the work-study award, eligible students must complete and return a Job Preference Form.

If your situation changes after filing the FAFSA because of unusual circumstances, contact the Office of Financial Aid. You may submit an appeal with appropriate supporting documentation.

Yes. Limited funding is available. Summer aid applications are available online at http://studentaid.rutgers.edu beginning on April 1.

Yes, however, a student must be enrolled on at least a half-time basis to be eligible to receive student loans. NJ grants and scholarships are generally awarded only to full-time students.

Yes. Our office will assist eligible students in making the necessary arrangements. Please keep in mind that procedures for study abroad take additional time and planning.

Visit our homepage and click on "Online Services", then on "Helpful Links", finally on "External Scholarship," to access the free FastWeb Scholarship Search web site.

Each recipient of federal student aid has a calculated financial need; and the combination of all sources of aid cannot exceed this need figure. It may be necessary to reduce your financial aid, especially loans, if an outside scholarship arrives after our aid offer.

If your tuition is adjusted because you drop a course, it may be necessary to reduce your financial aid. If you totally withdraw from the University during the first 60 percent of the term, your financial aid eligibility must be recalculated.

Dropping courses and withdrawing are academic actions which might have serious financial implications and may affect your future aid eligibility because of failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress. It is your responsibility to understand the effects these actions will have on your financial aid award.

Yes. Visit the Student Accounting Services website at studentabc.rutgers.edu for additional information.

Students will only receive one term bill a semester. If you make subsequent changes to your registration, financial aid, dining or housing, you will not receive an adjusted bill through the mail.

You must contact the appropriate office using the numbers provided on your term bill. Add the charge to your existing term bill and return it to the university with the applicable payment.

• Yes, once your award is credited to your student account and exceeds the balance due, a refund check will be produced.
• Checks will be available for pick up with a valid student ID at your local cashier's office at the beginning of the semester.
• To determine if you have a refund check, you can view your account online at studentabc.rutgers.edu.

If you receive an award letter subsequent to the date of your term bill, you may adjust your amount due by the amount of aid offered. You can also view your award online at studentaid.rutgers.edu.