In an effort to improve educational accessibility and affordability, Student Financial Aid Services began the process of providing relevant, trusted external scholarship opportunities to you using new software, Scholarship Universe. This is an initiative that will allow you to maximize your scholarship award opportunities while allowing you to continue your goal of achieving an NJIT degree. 

About Scholarship Universe

• Scholarship Universe is an online portal intended to reduce “scholarship search fatigue” by bridging students to vetted scholarship opportunities through an adaptive matching engine, which identifies relevant scholarships based on individual student's personal information, needs, and eligibility.
• Based on information submitted to build the student's personalized Scholarship Universe profile, students will be able to review a customized list of scholarship opportunities that they qualify for, learn the dollar value of matched opportunities, and directly connect and submit online applications with organizations offering those scholarships.

Steps to apply for External Scholarships:

1. Log in to the platform from this link: https://njit.scholarshipuniverse.com (Use UCID and Password to log in to the system. If you have not already claimed your UCID, we urge you to create your University Computing Identification (UCID) as soon as possible so that you will be able to access NJIT's Scholarship Universe portal. For details on how to set up your UCID, please go to: http://ist.njit.edu/ucid)
2. Upon answering some profile questions at the dashboard, the system will match your profile with the criteria from the external scholarship opportunities.
3. Review the vetted list of external scholarship opportunities and total dollar value for each scholarship opportunity.
4. Go to the Scholarship Tile from the options on the left of the screen
5. View Eligible Scholarships to apply in the Matches section
6. Click on Apply to begin the Scholarship application process
7. You will be directed to the specific external scholarship page to apply for the scholarship
8. External scholarship agency will contact you directly if selected

Students should take care of the following:

• Be sure to update your profile frequently (such as GPA, Major, etc.) to get matched to all the eligible scholarships in a better way.
• Be sure to answer ALL the questions in order to build your profile which would match you to the most relevant scholarships.
• Make sure to complete the outstanding tasks to be considered without any delays. 

If you still have any questions, please go through our FAQs or contact Student Financial Aid Services at finaid@njit.edu or 973-596-3479.

The office of Student Financial Aid Services is available to help you get all your questions answered and find the information you need to continue funding your education year after year.

Prospective Students

• Call the mainline: 973-596-3479
• Email us at finaid@njit.edu

Admitted Freshmen and Transfer NJIT Students 

Schedule an appointment for admitted Freshmen and Transfer Students here

Current NJIT Students

Schedule a virtual appointment through Navigate here

Policies
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A: 64-13.1 et seq. or 18A: 64A-23.1, the State of New Jersey created a program to allow certain unemployed individuals to attend a public institution of higher education in the state of New Jersey tuition-free on a space available basis. Additionally, individuals who qualify for this program may have certain fees waived or reduced.

Criteria

1. Student must apply and be accepted for admissions in a degree or certificate program.
2. Enrollment limited up to 19 credits for each fall and spring semester and 9 credits for summer.
3. Unemployment Tuition Waiver will be credited towards completed credits.  Classes that are withdrawn from after the 100 percent refund period will have the waiver rescinded and the student will be responsible for any remaining balance.
4. Students with a prior waiver must have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better before the commencement of the term which funds are being requested for. Should the student fail to meet the 2.5 gpa requirements, the waiver will not be renewed.
5. Student must meet the minimum requirements set forth in the NJIT Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Financial Aid
6. Student may only register for courses during the first week of the semester (during the “add course period) on a space available basis.  Students who register before the first day of class forfeit their right to participate in the NJ Tuition Benefit for Unemployed for that term.
7. Classes by permit and corporate off campus courses offered by Continuing Professional Education are not allowed under the NJ Tuition Benefit Waiver Program. Only programs located on the Newark campus will be considered for eligibility.
8. Students enrolling under this program are not eligible to enroll in the Executive Management Program. They may pursue study under the regularly scheduled MSM or MBA programs.
9. Students charged out of state tuition due to NJIT’s residency requirement will have their waivers calculated based on in state tuition charges not out of state, and will be responsible for the balance.
10. Course overload permits are not allowable. If a course needs permission of the instructor, or has pre-requisite restrictions, authorizations must be obtained prior to registering for the class.               

How To Apply

1. Student must obtain a certification from the Department of Labor, Division of Workforce New    Jersey that they qualify for this benefit. Additionally, individuals must verify their past presence in the labor market for at least two years and their unemployed status of receipt of layoff notice as proof of eligibility or an employability development plan from the Division of Employment Services.
2. Student must submit the Unemployed Person Job Training Form (UPJTF) with the original signatures to the Office of Student Financial Aid Services for each semester/term the student is applying for tuition waiver on or before the last day to register for the term the student is applying for the waiver. See the Registrar’s homepage for the academic calendar. The UPJTF must be signed and dated by the Department of Labor, Division of Workforce, New Jersey no sooner than 30 days prior to the start of the semester/term.
3. Student is required to file a Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA) and provide any supporting documentation as requested including copies of prior year tax returns by the first day of the semester/term in which the student is applying for the benefit. The student is required to file the FAFSA only once an academic year, but is required to file the FAFSA every academic year the student is applying for this benefit. Students who qualify for the NJ Tuition Benefit for Unemployed Program will receive a grant administered by the Office of Student Financial Aid Services that will cover tuition and certain fees, minus any federal or state grants the student may be eligible to receive.  Late fees, course fees, program fees, Distance Learning fees, parking fees, insurance fees and housing and food charges will not be covered.
4. When the student is eligible for federal and state grants which exceed the student’s cost for tuition and applicable fees, the student does not qualify for the NJ Tuition Benefit for Unemployed.  Students electing to participate in NJIT’s work study program are not eligible to receive the NJ Tuition Benefit for Unemployed persons.

Procedures

1. Unemployed Person Job Training Forms should be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Aid Services at which time students will be informed of missing information. Registrar will be notified to place hold on student’s registration.
2. Students who are approved by the Office of Student Financial Aid Services to participate in this program are permitted to register for courses no earlier than the first day of the semester and no later the last day to add a class for the semester or term of enrollment. Registration is done in person at the Registrar’s Office (except for Executive Management students).
3. Students who qualify for this tuition benefit will be sent a Financial Aid Notification Letter detailing the award and amount.
4. Students that are denied this benefit may appeal the decision by submitting an appeal letter to the Director of Student Financial Aid Services within 14 days of notification.
5. Students who do not wish to participate in the program after submitting an Unemployed Person Job Training Form, mush complete a NJ Tuition Benefits Non Participating Form available here.
6. Matriculated students are required to complete an Income Reduction Appeal to determine if eligible for state and federal aid.

Useful Websites

Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID)

FAFSA

NJIT Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Financial Aid

Appeal for Income Reduction

Master Promissory Note

The Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a legal document that students and parents (for Parent PLUS loan) must complete before the loan can be disbursed. The MPN explains the terms and conditions of the loan and borrower’s obligation to repay the loan and any accrued interest. Please select the link below to complete the MPN.

Master Promissory Note (Undergraduate Students)
Master Promissory Note (Graduate Students)
Master Promissory Note (Parent of an Undergraduate Student)

Entrance Counseling

Funding your education through federal student loans is a major investment in your future. To ensure that you understand the responsibilities of borrowing a Federal Direct Loan the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) requires all first-time borrowers to participate in loan Entrance Counseling. As a part of Entrance Counseling, you will receive information about the federal loans, budgeting your expenses, repayment options, and your rights and responsibilities as a borrower. An Entrance Counseling session takes about 20-30 minutes to complete. Click on Entrance Counseling to complete counseling. You must have a U.S. Department of Education FSA ID to complete the session. If you completed Direct Loan Entrance Counseling at another school, they may have that Entrance Counseling record sent to NJIT by following the steps below: 

• Log on to Entrance Counseling site using your FSA ID. 
• Click on your name at top right corner and select Documents from drop down. 
• Under My Documents, filter by Loan Counseling. 
• Click the down arrow Sub/Unsub/PLUS Entrance Counseling. 
• Click the Notify Additional School link to send notification about completed Entrance Counseling to NJIT. 
• Select New Jersey. Under “search school by name,” select New Jersey Institute of Technology. 
• Click Submit.

Below video provides step by step instructions to complete the Federal Loan Entrance Counseling.

Deficiency Definitions

Program Code: A code used to identify the college, level and program you were admitted into. 
Program Description: Your current major used to assess your Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Program Credits: Is the published length or the total number of credits required to complete your program/ major. 
Maximum Credits Allowed (150% of Published Length): Per federal regulation, you must complete your program of study in a time frame not to exceed 150 percent of the published length of the program. In addition, aid cannot be awarded when you are “near” the maximum timeframe.This is measured by credit hours attempted; not by semesters attempted.
Maximum Program Credits Allowed By Next Pay Period: A threshold is used to determine if you will reach or exceed the maximum timeframe by the next payment period. 
Cumulative Attempted Credits: Your total attempted credits taken at NJIT including transfer credits.
Cumulative Earned Credits: Your total earned credits taken at NJIT including transfer credits.
Minimum Earned Credits Required: The minimum credits you must have at the time of assessment to be considered passing the SAP pace ratio assessment. The minimum must be at least .665 of all attempted credits.
Your Pace Completion Ratio (%): This ratio represents all your earned credits divided by all your attempted credits, if it is below .665, it is considered a deficiency.
Pace Ratio Required (%): The required pace ratio to be considered passing the quantitative aspect of the SAP assessment. It must be at least .665.
Cumulative GPA: Your cumulative GPA is measured at the time of SAP assessment.
Required GPA: The required cumulative GPA to be considered passing the qualitative aspect of SAP. It must be at least 2.0 for undergraduate students and 3.0 for graduate students.
Ph.D. Max Years Allowed: 7 years if admitted prior to Fall 2015 and 6 years if admitted after Fall 2015.
 

• Detailed explanation for the failure to meet SAP standards for each payment period the student failed to perform satisfactorily
• Documentation to support the reason for failure.
• A detailed explanation of what has changed that will now allow the student to make Satisfactory Academic Progress at the next evaluation.

Steps to apply for SAP Appeal: 

1. Log in to your portal at njit.studentforms.com to view and complete your required tasks.
2. Complete the SAP Appeal Form for the semester in which you plan to enroll.
3. Complete the Academic Curriculum Worksheet from your portal. This worksheet must:
   1. List all planned courses for the current and future semesters.
   2. Demonstrate program completion within the 6-year maximum time frame.
   3. Be updated and resubmitted if your schedule changes after submission.
4. Upload all supporting documentation related to your extenuating circumstances using your portal.

After you submit the online SAP Appeal, you will be required to upload the supporting documentation in the portal. Once your appeal is received, a decision will be rendered within 15 business days of the committee meeting and during peak times it may take more time. Email notification of the outcome will be sent via NJIT email. If your appeal is approved you will be reinstated and placed on "probation" and aid will be reinstated for that term, if eligible. As part of your probation term, you are required to complete the financial literacy module, "College and Money."  Your probation is conditional; failure to meet your academic plan and/or re-establish proficiency with the SAP standards will result in Financial Aid denial.

SAP Appeal Deadline

SAP Appeals Committee and Decision:

The SAP Appeals Committee is comprised of members of the staff of the Office of Student Financial Aid Services. The OSFAS will notify the student of the decision via NJIT email. The appeals decision will be rendered within 15 business days of the committee meeting and during peak times up to 30 days. The appeals decision is final. The committee reserves the right to request additional documentation. If additional documentation is not submitted in a timely manner, the appeal will be considered incomplete and will be denied. If the student is granted probation for a semester in which he or she does not enroll, the appeal will automatically be granted for the subsequent semester.

The SAP Academic Plan:

1. Achieve a minimum term GPA of 2.0 for undergraduates and 3.0 for graduates.
2. Successfully complete and pass all attempted coursework during the probation period. (Withdrawals or failed grades are not allowed).
3. Complete two Financial Literacy online sessions and submit the certificate of completion in the student portal.
4. For students failing due to timeframe, the courses you entered on the SAP Curriculum Worksheet must be followed.

SAP Academic Denial After Probation:

Denied Appeals: