The 2024-2025 FAFSA is available!

If you plan on
attending Rutgers
during the 2024-2025
academic year,
complete the FAFSA by March 15, 2024 to
apply for financial aid.

COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Funding

ARP Act Funding (Fall 2021)

During the fall 2021 term, Rutgers University will be distributing $74 million in aid from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF III), as authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), signed into law on March 11, 2021. This additional aid is provided to assist students who are experiencing financial hardships due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Office of Financial Aid will be evaluating student eligibility for this funding via the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Application. Funding is not guaranteed and will be granted in order of receipt of application.

Eligibility

Students who are eligible to apply for emergency assistance will receive an email with a link to the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Application.

The application gives students the option to choose to have their funds applied directly to their term bill. This option is the fastest and easiest way to receive funding.

Students must complete the application within 5 days of receiving the application email in order to be considered for funding. If you are not deemed eligible or require additional assistance, click here to view alternative options for funding your education at Rutgers University.

Application Processing

Once you have completed the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Application, please allow 14 business days for your appeal to be reviewed. If approved for funding, you will be contacted via email and your Rutgers Financial Aid will be updated accordingly.

If you do not opt-in to have your funds applied to your term bill, you will be required to complete an additional process to receive electronic payment through a third-party service service (please see Zelle Frequently Asked Questions below for more information), or you will receive your funding via paper check which may take up to an additional 30 days to process after your application is reviewed.

Change in Family Circumstances Appeal Process (2021-2022 academic year) 

If you and/or your family have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, you can complete the 2021-2022 Change in Family Circumstances (CIFC) form, which will allow us to review the current financial situation in your household and consider changes to your aid. Those changes could increase your federal and/or state grant eligibility or, at least, reallocate your federal student loan to include more subsidized funds (which do not accrue interest while you are enrolled). 
 
Please be aware, this appeal will not result in additional institutional scholarships or grants and will not result in additional money to students who are already eligible for maximum funding from federal and state grants. The Federal Pell Grant maximum is $6,495 for full-time students; NJ TAG maximum is $10,044 but may be more depending upon your program.  
 
Changes to your financial situation may have occurred as a result of:

  • loss of income due to unemployment 
  • furlough or less hours at work in 2020 or 2021 
  • your parents or you and your spouse suffering a divorce, separation, disability, etc. 

In addition, we can review excessive medical expenses paid by you/your parents in 2019 or 2020 that were not covered by your medical insurance plan. 
 
You must have a 2021-2022 FAFSA on file with Rutgers to be eligible to complete this process. If you have not yet filed your FAFSA, please do so at studentaid.gov. Please note: The review process for the 2022-2023 CIFC will begin after July 2022. 

Please visit our CIFC webpage to learn more about the process. If you have any questions, please contact your regional One Stop Student Services Center to speak with a financial aid representative. 

CRRSA Act Funding (Spring 2021)

Rutgers University was recently awarded funds from the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act and from the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund (NJPRF) to assist students who are experiencing financial hardships due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Office of Financial Aid will be evaluating student eligibility for this funding via the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Application. These emergency funds are limited and restricted to one appeal at this time. Funding is not guaranteed and will be granted in order of receipt of application and based on documented financial need.

Eligibility

Students who are eligible to apply for emergency assistance under the CRRSA Act or NJPRF will receive an email with a link to the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Application. If you are not deemed eligible or require additional assistance, click here to view alternative options for funding your education at Rutgers University.

Application Processing

Once you have completed the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Application, please allow 14 business days for your appeal to be reviewed. You will be contacted via email once your appeal status has been determined.

CRRSA Act Frequently Asked Questions

How are the funds being distributed at Rutgers?

The funds have been allocated to chancellors’ offices at Rutgers-New Brunswick, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Rutgers-Newark and Rutgers-Camden. Awards to students will be made by each chancellor-led unit on a first-come, first-serve basis. Funding amounts will vary based on a student’s demonstrated needs and required documentation.

When will the funds be distributed to students?

Once an application is submitted, it may take up to two weeks for the financial aid office to determine eligibility. Once funds are awarded, it will take 10 to 14 days for students to receive the funds.

How will the funds be sent to students?

Students who receive CRRSA Act funds can choose to opt-in to have the funds applied to any outstanding balance on their term bill. Students who do not opt-in can choose to have their funds distributed via Zelle – an electronic transfer process or they can choose to receive payment by check. If you would like to receive your funds fast, safe and easy, enroll with Zelle® using your Rutgers student email address(@rutgers.edu) at clearxchange.com/receive. Note: clearXchange® is the online version of Zelle used for receiving payments from companies. For more information, visit www.zellepay.com/faqs.

Students who receive NJPRF funds will receive payment via check. 

If I have an outstanding balance on my university account will these funds be applied to that balance?

Only students receiving CRRSA Act funds will have the option to have their funds applied to any outstanding balance on their university account. Students must opt-in via the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Application.

If I qualify for COVID-19 Emergency Assistance funds, will other financial aid be adjusted or reduced?

No, CRRSA Act grants do not impact previously awarded financial aid.

Where can I direct additional questions?

Please contact your campus Office of Financial Aid with any additional questions.

Zelle Frequently Asked Questions

What is Zelle?

Zelle is a fast, safe and easy way for students to receive money directly to their bank account, and it’s offered by banks and credit unions across the U.S.

Rutgers students who choose to receive their money with Zelle must pre-enroll/enroll with Zelle associating their student email address(@rutgers.edu) with their U.S.-based account and we can send their money electronically, regardless of where the student banks within the United States. With Zelle, money is sent directly to the student’s bank account so they don’t have to wait for a check in the mail.

How do I enroll with Zelle?
  • Step 1: Provide Zelle with your info
    Rutgers will send your disbursement to you using your student email address(@rutgers.edu).
    • Note: If you’re already enrolled with Zelle using another email address or U.S. mobile number, you can still associate your student email address to your bank account. You’ll receive an email letting you know your payment will be sent to your bank account. To ensure you receive your money from Rutgers, make sure you enroll with Zelle using your student email address.
    • Please note – If your financial institution doesn’t offer Zelle and you are already enrolled in the Zelle app, ask your financial institution about your daily transaction limit for your debit card. If the payment you anticipate receiving from us exceeds your daily limit, contact us to discuss other payment options.
  • Step 2: Enroll with Zelle
    If you’re not yet enrolled with Zelle using your Rutgers student email address(@rutgers.edu), you will receive an email from Rutgers and Bank of America with instructions on how to complete your enrollment with Zelle.
    • The link included in the email will take you to clearxchange.com/receive to check if your financial institution offers Zelle (clearXchange® is the online version of Zelle used for receiving payments from companies – clearXchange.com).
    • Select your bank or credit union from the list and follow the steps to enroll with Zelle directly through your financial institution.
    • If your bank isn’t listed, no problem! You can enroll to receive your payment through clearXchange.com. Select “My bank isn’t listed” and follow the steps to enroll to receive your funds with clearXchange.
    • You’ll be prompted to verify your Rutgers student email address(@rutgers.edu) to confirm that you have access to it.
    • Please note – To ensure you receive your money from Rutgers, make sure you enroll with Zelle using your student email address(@rutgers.edu).
  • Step 3: Receive Your Money
    Once you’ve completed your Zelle enrollment, your disbursement will be sent to your bank account. Your funds should arrive within 1–3 business days.
What if my financial institution doesn't offer Zelle?

You can still receive your payment electronically by visiting clearxchange.com/receive and clicking “My bank isn’t listed.” (clearXchange® is the online version of Zelle used for receiving payments from companies – clearXchange.).

  • Follow the steps to enroll your student email address(@rutgers.edu), provide the requested personal information and complete your enrollment.
Are there any fees to receive money with Zelle?

Rutgers does not charge any fees to receive money with Zelle.

What is clearXchange.com? Can I send money with Zelle if I enroll at at clearxchange.com?

clearXchange is the online version of Zelle used for receiving payments from companies. You can only use clearXchange.com to receive money. If you would like to send money using Zelle, you can either enroll with Zelle through a participating financial institution or download and enroll in the Zelle app if your financial institution does not participate in Zelle.

What if I accidentally deleted this email telling me to enroll with Zelle?

Don’t worry! Just visit clearxchange.com/receive and follow the simple steps to enroll with Zelle. Also, recipients will receive an email reminder 4 and 10 calendar days after the initial email notification using your Rutgers student email address(@rutgers.edu). If a recipient does not enroll for 14 days, the payment will expire.

How do I find out if I’m already enrolled with Zelle?
  • If your financial institution offers Zelle (visit zellepay.com/get-started for a list of participating banks), log into your financial institution’s mobile banking app and find Zelle. Follow the simple steps to enroll your student email address(@rutgers.edu). If your email address is already enrolled, you’ll receive a notification in your financial institution’s app. Alternatively, you can call your financial institution’s customer support and ask them to help you.
  • If your financial institution does not offer Zelle, call Zelle customer support at 844-428-8542 and they can determine whether you’re already enrolled with Zelle.