Federal
Federal Pell Grant
Up to $7,395 a year (2026–27)
Who qualifies: undergraduates with financial need, based on the FAFSA. It never has to be repaid.
How: file the FAFSA.
Official rules →Paying for college · New Brunswick, NJ
How students pay for Rutgers University
Sticker price $36,096 a year. After grants, the average student pays $24,897, and what you pay depends on your family's income: anywhere from $15,090 to $34,232.
- 58%admitted
- 37,751undergraduates
- 84%graduate
- 47%get a grant from the school
Free tuition program
Scarlet Guarantee
Who: New Jersey students with household AGI of $0 to $65,000 (for students starting fall 2026 or later) who have earned fewer than 60 credits What: A last-dollar award that brings in-state tuition and eligible fees to $0, for up to 4 program payments with continuous enrollment; considered automatically when you file the FAFSA or NJAFAA
Official details →What it costs, by family income
Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, paying in-state tuition. Tap your bracket.
Out-of-state tuition is $39,649 a year versus $18,824 for New Jersey residents, so non-residents usually pay far more than these figures.
Where the money comes from
Share of first-year students receiving each type of aid, and the average amount.
47%grant from Rutgers Universityavg $10,408
26%Federal Pell Grantavg $5,663
22%state grantavg $8,906
40%federal student loanavg $8,990
Scholarships from Rutgers University
Awards the school itself offers, as published on its own website (checked 2026-10-28). Amounts and deadlines change: confirm on the linked page.
- Rutgers merit awards (Presidential, Chancellor's, Henry Rutgers, Scarlet and others)
Admitted first-year students, matched by academic record and interest; Mason Gross applicants are also assessed on talent.
- Need-based scholarships from the Office of Financial AidVaries
Admitted and continuing students whose FAFSA shows financial need; some merit awards also have a need component.
- International Student Scholarships$5,000 to $16,000 a year
Admitted international students on valid non-immigrant visas.
- National Merit / College-Sponsored Merit Award$1,000 a year, renewable for four years
Students selected by the National Merit Scholarship Committee; 3.0 minimum GPA.
- Francis B. and Paige D. L'Hommedieu Scholarship$1,750 to $3,500 a year, based on available funds
Eligible community college transfer students; renewable for two years.
- NJ STARS IIUp to $1,250 a semester
NJ STARS students from New Jersey community colleges transferring to a New Jersey four-year university.
- Class Endowed Scholarships$500 to $5,000 a year, based on available funds
Descendants of specific Rutgers class years who meet academic criteria.
Priority FAFSA deadline: Not published by Rutgers; it points students to the New Jersey state (HESAA) aid deadlines.
Grants and scholarships you can apply for
State grant · New Jersey
Tuition Aid Grant (TAG)
For 2026-27, up to $3,098 a year at a county college, $9,496 at a state college, $10,964 at a public research university and $14,404 at an independent college for the highest-need students; smaller awards as need falls
Who qualifies: New Jersey residents (12 months before enrolling, or 3+ years at and graduation from a New Jersey high school) with financial need, enrolled at an approved New Jersey college and making satisfactory academic progress.
How: File the FAFSA or the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application, then complete your state record in NJFAMS. For 2026-27 first-time applicants: application by 15 September 2026 and NJFAMS by 1 October 2026 (fall and spring), or 15 February 2027 for spring only; renewals: 15 April.
Official rules →State grant · New Jersey
Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG)
Covers remaining tuition (up to 18 credits a term) and approved fees after other grants are applied
Who qualifies: New Jersey residents with an adjusted gross income of $0 to $65,000 and no prior college degree, taking at least six credits a semester at a New Jersey community college.
How: No separate application: file the FAFSA (or the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application) each year by the state deadline, 15 September for new students and 15 April for returning TAG recipients.
Official rules →State grants follow your home state, not the school's: check your own state's programs if you are coming from elsewhere.
Living in New Brunswick
| Studio | $1,900/mo |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom | $2,040/mo |
| Two-bedroom, shared | $1,275/mo each |
HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents, campus ZIP 08901. Campus housing is often cheaper in the first year.
Working while you study
$15.92/hour minimum wage in New Jersey
15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year ≈ $7,164 before tax. That covers about 6 months of a shared room.
Minimum wage: rises to $16.48 on 1 January 2027 (most employers; seasonal and small employers have a lower rate). Ask the financial aid office whether you qualify for Federal Work-Study.
After graduation
$18,974median federal debt≈ $216/month over 10 years
$80,490median earnings10 years after enrolling
84%graduate within 6 yearsfirst-time students
Close the gap without another loan
Since July 2026 Parent PLUS loans are capped, so more families are left with a gap after aid. Students use My Study Fund to collect monthly support from family, friends and mentors: 20 people giving $25 a month is $6,000 a year, and you receive every dollar.
Questions students ask about paying for Rutgers University
Does Rutgers University offer free tuition?
Yes: Scarlet Guarantee. New Jersey students with household AGI of $0 to $65,000 (for students starting fall 2026 or later) who have earned fewer than 60 credits A last-dollar award that brings in-state tuition and eligible fees to $0, for up to 4 program payments with continuous enrollment; considered automatically when you file the FAFSA or NJAFAA.
What scholarships does Rutgers University offer?
Rutgers merit awards (Presidential, Chancellor's, Henry Rutgers, Scarlet and others) (Not published); Need-based scholarships from the Office of Financial Aid (Varies); International Student Scholarships ($5,000 to $16,000 a year); National Merit / College-Sponsored Merit Award ($1,000 a year, renewable for four years); Francis B. and Paige D. L'Hommedieu Scholarship ($1,750 to $3,500 a year, based on available funds). Details and deadlines are on the school's financial aid pages.
How much does Rutgers University really cost after financial aid?
The average student who received aid paid $24,897 a year after grants and scholarships. By family income it ranges from $15,090 to $34,232. The full cost of attendance before aid is $36,096.
Does Rutgers University give scholarships and grants?
Yes. 47% of first-year students received a grant from Rutgers University itself, averaging $10,408. 26% received a Federal Pell Grant (average $5,663).
How much is rent near Rutgers University?
HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for the campus ZIP code (08901) is $2,040 a month for a one-bedroom and $2,550 for a two-bedroom, about $1,275 each when shared.
Can I work part-time while studying at Rutgers University?
Yes. The minimum wage in New Jersey is $15.92 an hour; 15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year earns about $7,164 before tax.
How much debt do Rutgers University graduates have?
The median federal debt at graduation is $18,974, about $216 a month on a 10-year plan. Median earnings ten years after enrolling are $80,490.
Sources
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 10152026) and IPEDS (SFA2223 student financial aid, first-time full-time students); HUD FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents; state and federal program pages linked above, checked 2026-10-28. My Study Fund is not affiliated with Rutgers University-New Brunswick. How these pages work.
More in New Jersey: All colleges in New Jersey →