Applicants must complete the FAFSA annually and submit it to the federal processor. To ensure full consideration for funds, students should submit the FAFSA at the time they submit the admission application, but no later than March 15 if they are seeking aid for the following academic year.
Applicants are considered for all types of aid for which they are eligible. Letters announcing financial aid decisions are mailed to all students as soon as possible after admission. Awards are based on financial need and funds availability and are limited by the March 15 priority filing date. Thus, there is a definite advantage to submitting an early, accurate, and complete FAFSA.
Counseling is available at the Office of Financial Aid to all students regardless of whether they qualify for financial aid.
When comparing aid offers from Rutgers with those from other institutions, students should remember that costs often differ significantly from school to school. Therefore, the important consideration to weigh 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.
