RU-N to the TOP Program

In This Section

Overview: Fall 2016 - Spring 2022

This overview is for students entering Rutgers University-Newark as a new student from Fall 2016-Spring 2022.

In 2016, the university 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. The RU-N to the TOP program enables us to build upon these commitments and recruit the most outstanding first-year students from the City of Newark and or transfer students from New Jersey’s County Colleges (NJCC).

The RU-N to the TOP program provides a “last-dollar” financial aid award that covers the cost of in-state tuition and mandatory fees. The award is offered after all federal, state, institutional, internal/external scholarships and grants have been applied. Students must meet the program’s eligibility and income requirements.

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 qualify for in-state tuition and meet the following student, citizenship, and household income requirements:

Student Requirement

  1. Be a resident of the City of Newark, NJ; or
  2. Be a graduate with an associate degree from a New Jersey Community College (NJCC)
  3. A resident of New Jersey legally qualifying for in-state tuition 
  4. Complete financial aid file (federal and/or state), which includes the submission of all requested final aid forms and documentation by the established deadlines.

Citizenship Requirement 

  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)

Household Income Requirements

  1. Students must have an household adjusted gross income (AGI) of $60,000 or less
  • Household income is determined by the student’s responses reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or on the HESAA NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application (for NJ Dreamers).
  • Students selected for federal and/or state verification will need to submit additional documentation to validate their reported income.
  • The online FAFSA at fafsa.ed.gov or the HESAA NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application will guide you through the application process.

Download Fall 2016 - Spring 2022 PDF

Applying for Financial Aid - U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident 

Consideration for the RU-N to the TOP financial aid program requires the submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Required Deadlines for RU-N to the TOP

All students must adhere to the following deadlines: 

Fall Enrollment

June 1  – Complete and submit the Admissions Application and the FAFSA or NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application

August 1  – Complete all financial aid requirements/requests for documentation

Spring Enrollment

December 1 – Complete and submit the Admissions Application and the FAFSA or NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application

February 1  – Complete all financial aid requirements/requests for documentation

Applying for Financial Aid - New Jersey Dreamers

The New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application allows NJ Dreamers enrolled in eligible New Jersey colleges and universities to apply for state financial aid. Consideration for the RU-N to the TOP award requires the submission of the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application. 

Who should complete this application?
New Jersey Alternative Application

Male Students - How to Register for Selective Service

Registering with OR without a Social Security Number (SSN)

Contact - NJ 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.

Checklist for Renewing Award Eligibility 

  • File the FAFSA or the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application.
  • Meet all established deadlines and financial aid requirements. See deadline for details.   
  • Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). See glossary for additional details.
  • NJCC - final and official transcript must be received by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions prior to the first day of the first semester in which the scholarship is being offered.
  • Be registered at least halftime (6 credits or more).

Currently Enrolled Appeal Process

Students who have been notified that their scholarship will not be renewed may submit an appeal for reconsideration. All appeals are reviewed by the RU-N to the TOP committee for final determination. All decisions are sent to a student’s email via the RU-N4Success (R4S) platform. Appeal submissions must be received by 11:59 pm on January 31, 2022 for consideration.

RU-N to the TOP Spring 2022 Appeal

If you have any appeal questions, please contact the Director, Office of Financial Aid, Natalia Morisseau at natalia.morisseau@ofa.rutgers.edu

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If your questions are not answered in the FAQs, please see the contact section for additional guidance.

How long can I receive the RU-N to the TOP financial aid award?
Can I use the award to earn a second bachelor’s degree?
What constitutes a good reason for extending the duration of my RU-N to the TOP financial aid award?
If I am a City of Newark resident, who has some credits from a NJCC, but have not earned an associate degree, how long will I receive RU-N to the TOP award benefits?
If I transfer schools within Rutgers, do I remain eligible to receive my RU-N to the TOP?
Can I use the RU-N to the TOP award for summer or winter session courses?
What happens to my RU-N to the TOP award if I withdraw from school?
If I have to take a semester off. How will this impact my RU-N to the TOP award?
Is there a separate RU-N to the TOP application?
I was enrolled at RU-N prior to the fall of 2016 semester. Can I receive the RU-N to the TOP award if I meet all of the other conditions of eligibility?
How is my residency in the City of Newark determined?
What if I move to the City of Newark after applying to the university?
I am a graduate of a NJCC. What documentation is required to determine my eligibility for the RU-N to the TOP award?
Do I have to be eligible for the full benefits of the NJ Presidents’ Council Statewide Transfer Agreement (aka “Lampitt Law) in order to qualify for the RU-N to the TOP award as a NJCC graduate?
If I earn a degree from a NJCC after matriculating at Rutgers-Newark (e.g., through “reverse transfer” or after academic dismissal from Rutgers-Newark), am I still eligible for RU-N to the TOP?
If I attended another college before applying to Rutgers-Newark, am I still eligible for RU-N to the TOP?
I am required to apply for financial aid every year?
What school charges are covered by the RU-N to the TOP award?
What charges are not covered by RU-N to the TOP award?
If I am in default on a Federal Student Aid Loan, can I receive RU-N to the TOP?
When renewing my RU-N to the TOP award, does my household income need to be at $60,000 or below?
Do I have to be enrolled full-time to receive the RU-N to the TOP award?
How does part-time enrollment affect my RU-N to the TOP award?
If I am a NJCC graduate, and I enroll at one of Rutgers Higher Education Centers (the Western Monmouth HEC in Freehold [Brookdale], the North Branch HEC [Raritan], or the Morris HEC) can I receive RU-N to the TOP?
Can I receive RU-N to the TOP as a non-matriculated student?
If I have taken classes at RU-N as a non-matriculated student, can I receive the scholarship if I am admitted and enroll as a matriculated student in an undergraduate program?
If I attended another university (other than Rutgers-Newark) after earning a degree from a NJCC, am I still eligible for RU-N to the TOP?

RU-N to the TOP Glossary

Associate Degree
Defaulted (Loan)
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Full-Time Student
Lampitt Law
Last-dollar Scholarship
Reversed Transfer
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Tuition and mandatory Fees

Financing Your Education 

How Do I Apply for Financial Aid?
Need More information on financing your education?

Key Contacts

Office of Financial Aid

(973) 353-1766 ext. 1
One Stop Student Services CenterConklin Hall
175 University Avenue, First FloorNewarkNJ07102

The Office of Financial Aid can assist with any questions in reference to federal, state and institutional aid.

Click here to contact us