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 form`s envelope. Students should submit their aid applications by March 15 if they are seeking aid for the following academic year. The forms are available at all Rutgers financial aid offices. To ensure full consideration for funds, students should file their FAFSA at the time they submit their admission application, but no later than March 15.

Letters announcing financial aid decisions are mailed to all students as soon as possible after admission. Awards are based on financial need and are limited by the March 15 priority filing date. Thus, there is a definite advantage to submitting an early, accurate, and complete application.

Counseling is available at the financial aid office 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 thing 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.