Rutgers University Tuition Assistance Programs

Rutgers University–Camden, Rutgers University–Newark and Rutgers University–New Brunswick each offer a “last dollar” undergraduate financial aid program that builds upon New Jersey’s Garden State Guarantee (GSG), to make college degrees more accessible and affordable. Mirroring the GSG, qualified New Jersey residents attending Rutgers University, with an annual adjusted gross income (AGI) between $0 and $65,000, will pay a net price of $0 for tuition and eligible fees during their third and fourth years of study. Additionally, tuition and fee responsibilities are significantly reduced for families that have an AGI between $65,001 and $100,000.

The programs consist of three funding tiers based on your family’s AGI as reported on the FAFSA or NJAFAA:

AGI Annual Net Cost for Tuition and Eligible Fees*
$0-$65,000 $0
$65,001-$80,000 no more than $3,000
$80,001-$100,000 no more than $5,000

*eligible fees include school fee, student fee, and technology fee

You will automatically be considered for the GSG when you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid  (FAFSA) or, if you qualify as a NJ Dreamer, the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application (NJAFAA), by the posted state deadlines. Please use school code 002629 for Rutgers University.

Please note: At Rutgers University, the Garden State Guarantee (GSG), Bridging the Gap (Rutgers-Camden), RU-N to the TOP (Rutgers-Newark) and Scarlet Guarantee (Rutgers-New Brunswick) programs each evaluate student eligibility using the tiers above. In accordance with the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority’s (HESAA) policy, households with negative AGIs are not eligible for the GSG, Scarlet Guarantee, Bridging the Gap or RU-N to the TOP. Students who have earned 60 credits or greater are evaluated for GSG eligibility (across all campuses), and students who have earned less than 60 credits are evaluated for eligibility in the campus-specific programs noted below.

We invite you to explore more of what each program has to offer!

Rutgers University–Camden, Bridging the Gap

New Jersey undergraduate students can reduce their college costs by up to 100% at Rutgers University–Camden. Through Bridging the Gap, supplemented by the Garden State Guarantee, you can greatly decrease or completely avoid student loan debt while working toward a Rutgers degree. Rutgers University–Camden has provided over $32 million in support to working class families from New Jersey. Click here to learn more about Bridging the Gap.

Rutgers University–Newark, RU-N to the TOP

Rutgers University-Newark has established the Rutgers University–Newark Talent and Opportunity Pathways financial aid program (RU-N to the TOP) for newly enrolled undergraduate students. This program solidifies our strategic plan and commitments to boundary-crossing scholarship, diverse talent cultivation, and engagement as an anchor institution. Together with the Garden State Guarantee, the RU-N to the TOP program enables us to build upon these commitments and recruit the most outstanding students from across the state of New Jersey. Click here to learn more about RU-N to the Top.

Rutgers University–New Brunswick, Scarlet Guarantee

The Scarlet Guarantee is a signature Rutgers–New Brunswick program designed to make college more accessible and affordable, offering a “last dollar” financial aid award that covers the cost of in-state tuition and eligible fees for qualified students who have earned less than 60 credits. Together with the Garden State Guarantee, these programs provide a transformational opportunity for students that will bridge the gap of resources needed to start and finish their higher education. Click here to learn more about the Scarlet Guarantee.

For information about New Jersey’s Garden State Guarantee (GSG) program, click here.

For further assistance, please contact your regional One Stop Student Services Center.