All applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit it to the federal processor no later than March 15. The forms are available at Rutgers financial aid offices or from the above address. A separate application is required for assistantships. The FAFSA should be filed at the same time as the admission application is submitted but no later than March 15 to ensure full consideration for all available funds. Renewal forms are normally mailed to continuing students in January.

Letters announcing financial aid decisions are mailed to all students as soon as possible after admission. Funds are awarded to those who file by the priority filing date, March 15, and who demonstrate the greatest financial need. Therefore, there is a definite advantage to submitting an early, accurate, and complete application.

Counseling is available by appointment at the financial aid office to all students regardless of whether or not they qualify for financial aid. When comparing aid offers from Rutgers with other institutions, students should remember that charges often differ significantly from school to school. Therefore, the important factor to consider is not the dollar value of a financial aid offer, but the difference between the total value of the financial aid package awarded by the institution and the cost of attending that institution.

Individuals interested in merit-based fellowships and assistantships must submit their complete graduate applications on or before February 1, although awards are occasionally available at later dates. A prospective graduate student may apply for an assistantship or fellowship at the time of application or before admission is complete. Applicants completing the appropriate section of the admission application are considered for those financial awards granted by the university for which they may be eligible. To be considered for an assistantship or fellowship, the student must enroll full time. Please keep in mind that applications for assistantships and fellowships are competitive and the number of requests exceeds availability.