Undocumented Student Financial Aid and Scholarships

RU–N partners with The Dream.US, a scholarship fund for DREAMers across the nation. This fund provides scholarships for students who have met TheDream.US criteria and are enrolling full-time to a Partner College. The scholarship helps cover tuition, fees, books, supplies, and transportation expenses for those who would otherwise be unable to attend college. 

• The Dream.US affirmed continued support via a statement for our Rutgers University-Newark scholarship recipients 
• TheDream.US has adopted new immigration eligibility criteria! Click to find out more: https://www.thedream.us/scholarships/national-scholarship/

Complete the NJ Dreamers application if you are not a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen and meet all of the following criteria:

• Attended a New Jersey high school for at least three (3) years 
• Graduated from a New Jersey high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in New Jersey 
• Registered for Selective Service (male students only) 
• Are able to file an affidavit stating that you have filed an application to legalize your immigration status or will file an application as soon as you are eligible to do so 

If you need assistance filling out the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application because of the following: 

• Your parent/caregiver has never filed taxes before  
• Your parent/caregiver does not work  

Please contact the Office of Undocumented Student Services (Undocu.services@newark.rutgers.edu) to fill out the application   

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. 

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

1. A resident of New Jersey legally qualifying for in-state tuition per University guidelines
2. Newly admitted, enrolled and matriculated student for Fall 2022 and beyond
3. Complete the FAFSA application (or NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application for NJ Dreamers) and submit all requested financial aid documents by the established deadlines.

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)