Scholarships

What Are Scholarships?

Scholarships are a form of gift aid and do not need to be repaid. Continuing and admitted students who submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are automatically considered for a wide range of scholarships awarded by the Office of Financial Aid. Even if you believe you will not qualify for need-based financial aid, it is still important to file the application, since some merit scholarships also have a need-based component.

All need-based university scholarship funds are awarded on the basis of financial need as determined by information provided on the FAFSA. We determine your individual scholarship eligibility by subtracting the amount we expect you and your parents to contribute toward your costs, and other federal and state grant funds from the total student budget. Renewal criteria for scholarships vary based on the specific scholarship and will be provided at the time of the initial award.

Learn more about additional scholarship opportunities offered by Rutgers.

Show Appreciation

Are you a scholarship recipient? Write a thank you note to the donors who made it possible. Writing a letter to the donor is a great way to show appreciation for the awards you received. You can use our guide to help you create a letter to the donor that provided your scholarship.