RU-N to the TOP
In This Section

This overview is for students who have been admitted, enrolled and matriculated into Rutgers University-Newark as a new student from Fall 2022 and beyond.
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. The university expanded its reach of the RU-N to the TOP program for students who are newly admitted for fall 2022. The expanded program continues to solidify 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 students from across the state of New Jersey.
The RU-N to the TOP program provides a “last-dollar” financial aid scholarship that covers the cost of in-state tuition and mandatory fees based on your AGI Tier. The scholarship 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. There is no separate application that is required for this scholarship.
Newly admitted students for fall 2022 and beyond will automatically be considered with the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) or the NJ Alternative Application if you are a NJ Dreamer.
Updated FAFSA Priority Date Now March 15, 2024
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 Scholarship offer. Eligible students must qualify for in-state tuition and meet the following student, citizenship, and household income requirements:
Student Requirement
- A resident of New Jersey legally qualifying for in-state tuition per HESAA & University guidelines
- Newly admitted, enrolled and matriculated student for Fall 2022 and beyond
- 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 Requirements
- Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National; or
- Be a U.S. permanent resident who has an I-151, I-551, or I-551c (Alien Registration Receipt Card); or
- Be a recipient of New Jersey S2479 (the Tuition Equality Act/NJ Dream Act)
Adjusted Gross Income Requirements
Students must have a household adjusted gross income (AGI) as laid out in the table below:
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) | Annual Net Cost - Tuition & Mandatory Fees |
---|---|
0-$65,000 | $0 |
$65,001-$80,000 | $3,000 |
$80,001-$100,000 | $5,000 |
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.
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).
- 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?
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 program requires the submission of the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application.
Checklist for Renewing Award Eligibility
- File the FAFSA or the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application.
- Meet the established state deadlines and all of the financial aid requirements.
- Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). See glossary for additional details.
First and Second-Year Eligibility
RU-N to the TOP Scholarship will be awarded to first year and second-year students who have been admitted, enrolled, and matriculated into Rutgers University–Newark for fall 2022 and beyond. The definitions of a first-year and second-year student are:
- A first-year is defined as a student who has earned 0-30 credits
- A second-year is defined as a student who has earned 31-59 credits
*Students who earn 60-128 credits may be eligible for Garden State Guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If your questions are not answered in the FAQ’s, please see the contact section for additional guidance.
Key Contacts
The Office of Financial Aid can assist with any questions in reference to federal, state and institutional aid.