All applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually and submit it to the federal processor at the address listed on the envelope provided with the form. Applications should be received by the federal processor by March 15 of the academic year preceding the academic year for which aid is sought. The forms are available at all Rutgers financial aid offices. The FAFSA should be filed at the same time the admission application is submitted but no later than March 15 to ensure full consideration for all available funds.

Letters announcing financial aid decisions are mailed to all students as soon as possible after admission. Funds are limited and awards are made based on financial need and limited by the March 15 priority filing date. 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 thing 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.

Applications for fellowships and assistantships are due on or before March 15, 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 be a full-time student. Please keep in mind that applications for assistantships and fellowships are competitive and the number of requests exceeds availability.