Alternatives for Funding Your Education at Rutgers
Does your term bill have a remaining balance, even after applying all financial aid? Sometimes, based on eligibility and funding limits, your award may not cover your entire cost of tuition and fees on your term bill. You have a few options to consider that may help.
Parent PLUS Loan
A Parent PLUS loan is a federal loan that the parents apply for in their name. If the parents are denied, the student may still receive an additional unsubsidized loan for a specific amount each semester.
Due to changes introduced by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), as of July 1, 2026 parents will be subject to new borrowing caps of $20,000 annually and $65,000 lifetime per dependent student. However, if a student or parent previously received a Federal Direct loan of any kind before July 1, 2026, the parent can continue to borrow under the preOBBBA limits, which allowed parents to borrow up to the student’s remaining term bill balance or up to the student’s full cost of attendance minus any other aid received. This continuation applies for up to three more academic years or until the student finishes their degree program, whichever comes first. The student must be in the same degree program at the same insitituion they were when the student or parent first borrowed.
Private Loans
Private loans are loans from private lenders such as Sallie Mae, Discover, Wells Fargo, and many others. The link above provides a variety of different private lenders. Private loans are taken out by the student. However, most students will likely need a cosigner such as parents or grandparents if they do not have established credit.
Outside Scholarships
Scholarships are a form of gift aid that does not need to be repaid. Although students are automatically considered for a wide range of scholarships if they completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), there are outside scholarship opportunities that they may also be eligible for. You may also visit collegeboard.org and fastweb.com to research outside scholarship opportunities.
Rutgers University Tuition Payment Plan (RUTPP)
The Rutgers University Tuition Payment Plan (RUTPP) allows you to pay your term bill charges in convenient monthly payments. To learn more, please visit the Student Accounting, Billing, and Cashier Services website.
Handshake
The Student Employment Office, Job Location Development Program partners with Handshake, a dynamic online recruiting platform. Rutgers Handshake features intuitive technology, including the Handshake mobile app, which makes the platform easy to access and navigate. Handshake is separate from the Federal Work Study Program.
Questions about paying your term bill, getting a refund, or the Rutgers University Tuition Payment Plan? Contact the Office of Student Accounting, Billing and Cashiering.