Tuition at Rutgers covers only a small portion of the cost of educating each student. In order to enable students of limited means to attend college, the university makes every effort to help these students find ways to finance their educations. A majority of full-time graduate students at the university receive some financial aid. The amount of support each student receives depends, in part, upon the availability of funds. The level of support often is dependent upon the specific graduate program and the student's degree status. Aid ranges from loans to grants covering tuition charges to awards sufficient to pay all educational and most living expenses. The sources of support include university funds, federal and state government funds, corporate and individual bequests to the university, and grants from educational and scientific foundations.

Limited funds are available to students at the school from scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, grants, low-interest loans, and part-time employment. To apply for grants, loans, and employment, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Students Aid (FAFSA), which is available from most college and university financial aid offices or http://www.fafsa.org. At Rutgers, contact the Office of Financial Aid, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 249 University Avenue, Newark, NJ 07102. Applicants who file by March 15 can expect a reply by June 1.

Information about fellowships and assistantships can be found under the heading Sources of Financial Aid. Fellowships and assistantships are awarded by the school and by individual academic departments. As a result, students do not have to file a FAFSA to apply for them. In all cases, applicants are considered for all forms of aid for which they are eligible.