RUN Rising Program Overview

• Students with an outstanding balance from prior semesters before enrolling in the RUN Rising program will receive the distribution of the RUN Rising grant applied as follows
  • $500 at the end of each academic semester will be used to pay down the prior outstanding balance due to the university 

Students in the RUN Rising program may qualify for either RUN to TOP or Garden State Guarantee. 

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY AND INCOME REQUIREMENTS:

All qualified undergraduate students must be an admitted, enrolled, and matriculated student at Rutgers University–Newark seeking the completion of their first bachelor’s degree. Eligible students must legally qualify for in-state tuition. Only in-state tuition and mandatory fees will be calculated into the RU-N to the TOP and the Garden State Gurantee Programs.  Eligible students must qualify for in-state tuition and meet the following student, citizenship, and household income requirements:

Student Requirement

1. A resident of New Jersey legally qualifying for in-state tuition 
2. Admitted, enrolled and matriculated student for fall 2022 and beyond

Citizenship Requirements

1. Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National; or
2. Be a U.S. permanent resident who has an I-151, I-551, or I-551c (Alien Registration Receipt Card); or
3. Be a recipient of New Jersey S2479 (the Tuition Equality Act/NJ Dream Act)
4. Legally eligible for in-state tuition rate

Adjusted Gross Income Requirements

Students must have a household adjusted gross income (AGI) as laid out in the table below:

A student’s AGI for scholarship consideration is determined by the completion of the FAFSA or NJ Alternative Application. The income responses will be evaluated based on the AGI table above. 

Consideration for the RUN Rising scholarship requires the submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Rutgers University Federal school code is 002629.

APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID - U.S. CITIZEN OR U.S. PERMANENT RESIDENT  

• FAFSA: www.fafsa.ed.gov
• The Rutgers University Federal school code is 002629.
• Students must meet the state deadlines for completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Need help completing the FAFSA? 

• FAFSA Resources/Guides     
• Video on completing the FAFSA
• Information on how to fill out the FAFSA Form
• Accessing the FAFSA form

The New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application is ONLY for undocumented/DACA students. U.S. Citizens and U.S. permanent residents must complete the FAFSA.  Students can access and complete the New Jersey Alternative Application Financial Aid Application located on the HESAA website.

A student must meet ALL of these requirements for New Jersey state aid consideration:

1. Attended a New Jersey high school for at least three (3) years and
2. Graduated from a New Jersey high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in New Jersey and
3. Registered for Selective Service (male students only) and
4. Demonstrate financial need and
5. Be a resident of New Jersey for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to enrollment and
6. Be a full-time undergraduate student enrolled in an approved degree or certificate program
7. Complete The Rutgers University Tuition Equality Act Application and Affidavit (Rutgers requirement only)

How to apply:

• HESAA website and resources
• Resource Guide (PDF) 
• Log in to complete the NJ Alterative Financial Aid Application

Selective Service:

• Registering with OR without a Social Security Number (SSN)
• Students who have a Social Security Number can register online at the Selective Service System website.
• Students without a Social Security Number can register at any U.S. Post Office or download, complete and submit the printable registration form.

Contact HESAA:

• HESAA Customer Care: 1-609-584-4480 or 1-800-792-8670 (English and Español)
• Hours: Monday-Thursday 8am to 8pm and Friday 8am to 5pm

Please take notice – the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application is a confidential application that is used solely by the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) to qualify students for state financial aid. It is not used for federal financial aid purposes. Information that is shared with HESAA via this application is used only by HESAA and partner colleges, universities, and other state agencies in order to administer grants and scholarships. HESAA will do everything within its authority and jurisdiction to protect the ongoing confidentiality of this information.