Uniform Awarding and Application of Payment

Effective Fall 2018, the process for awarding and applying funds to the student account will follow the below Uniform Awarding and Application of Payment procedure. When instituting this order, awards will not exceed the charges intended to fund factoring in other awards that are part of the package.

• Direct Charge and Award
• Lines Tuition-Aid-Grants
• Third Party Contracts/External Scholarships*
• NJIT Scholarships (Processed by Student Financial Aid Services)
  • Donors
    • Tuition Only
    • Tuition and Fees
    • Donor supported up to tuition, fees, housing and food
    • Donor supported up to cost of attendance
  • Institutional
    • Tuition Only
    • Tuition and Fees
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
• Federal Pell Grant
• Athletic Aid
• Mandated State Waivers (National Guard, Unemployment)
• NJIT Tuition Remission
• Student Loans
• Student Payments

*Click here for a glossary of terms

*External third party contracts/awards may supersede this order since third party contracts/awards may indicate a specific application of payment (e.g. Tuition, fees etc.). External (third party) scholarships without any indication from the external agency as to application of payment will be processed so that the combination of the external and other relevant grants and scholarships will not produce a credit but will be applied to pay tuition, fees, and on-campus housing and food, if applicable. Other external prestigious awards such as the Bauder, Goldwater, National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, Fulbright and Cambridge awards, will have an award cap up to tuition, fees, housing, food and an NJIT Bookstore credit up to $1,000. No cash award will be provided.

The award renewal and application of payment procedure for previous donor-sponsored scholarship recipients where the scholarship intent was unspecified, will follow the previous process as they will be “grandfathered” until graduation, provided the student meets the general scholarship eligibility requirements. The award terms and conditions are accessible on the student’s Highlander Pipeline portal Financial Aid Self-Service Awards section. Although prior recipients of donor-sponsored scholarship awards with unspecified intent will be grandfathered, all new Fall 2018 awards will follow the Uniform Awarding and Application of Payment procedure. Any scholarship with unspecified purpose will be applied towards tuition, tuition-related fees, and on-campus housing and food minus other awards that already cover these charges. However, If the student is a recipient of an NJIT institutional scholarship and was selected to receive a donor-sponsored scholarship, and both awards duplicate the benefit, the institutional award will be reduced first to correct the over award.

Combining Scholarship Awards/Scholarship Over awards

In general, the total amount a student is awarded cannot exceed the charges the award intended to pay. In some instances, when tuition-based grants (like TAG Grants) and NJIT tuition-based scholarships are part of the package, students are limited to receiving these awards up to the cost of tuition. While other NJIT merit scholarships (like Honors scholarship and Freshmen Highlander Scholarships) are restricted to tuition and fees, the combination of other tuition and fee based awards cannot exceed the value of tuition and fees. Federal Pell or SEOG Grants are never reduced in the context of scholarship awarding as the fund can pay up to the cost of attendance.

Outside Scholarships

External scholarships from private organizations may also be restricted to specific expenses by the organization awarding it, and the Office of Student Financial Aid working in conjunction with the Bursar’s Office will apply the scholarships accordingly. This could reduce previously awarded funds. Depending on the type of award and the purpose for the external scholarship, institutional and donor-sponsored scholarships may be reduced to correct the excess. For example, if an outside scholarship is received and it specifies the funds should be used for tuition and an NJIT merit scholarship is already covering tuition, the NJIT merit scholarship will be reduced to factor in the outside scholarship.

On-Campus Housing

For scholarship awarding purposes, on-campus housing constitutes on-campus dorms and the Greek Village as they are owned and/or operated by NJIT. University Centre is not considered on-campus for awarding purposes.

Renewal Process/ Award Selections

To provide adequate time for students and families to plan for their educational expenses, timely awards are necessary. To that end, all scholarship selections from academic departments must be completed no later than June 30 for the upcoming fiscal year. All donor-sponsored scholarships are expected to be renewed provided there is funding and prior recipients continue to meet the scholarship criteria as specified on the scholarship agreement. The University recognizes the value of scholarship renewals as it provides continuous student financial support.

Application of Payment Policy

Further details on the University’s policy for Application of Payment can be found at: http://www.njit.edu/bursar/application-payment/

Call them scholarships. Call them grants. Call them awards, assistance, or financial aid. No matter what words you use, it's free money you're talking about.

At NJIT, we believe in rewarding your hard work and dedication. Whether it’s for your academic excellence, athletic achievements, SAT scores, financial need, or residency status, we’ve got hundreds of scholarships, grants, and awards waiting for you. The best part? If you’ve filled out your FAFSA, you’re automatically considered for every award you're eligible for – no extra effort needed!

Renewing Your Scholarships – It's Easy!

• Merit-Based Scholarships: Most of our merit-based scholarships renew year after year. As long as you continue meeting the requirements outlined in your scholarship agreement and NJIT's Satisfactory Academic Progress standards, your award will be automatically renewed.

• Need-Based Awards: These will be adjusted each year based on your financial situation and where you are in your academic journey.

What Happens If Your Scholarship Isn't Renewed?

As a student on scholarship probation, the terms and conditions at the conclusion of the fall semester are as follows:

• Earn at least a 3.0 term GPA at the conclusion of the fall semester

At the conclusion of the fall semester, a review of your fall grade(s) and term gpa will be reviewed and you will be informed whether you met the scholarship requirements for the next semester. 

Note: Honors students on probation have a higher gpa requirement for probation (please speak to your Honors advisor for details).

If one or more of your scholarships doesn't get renewed, you'll be notified by e-mail. You can appeal the decision by submitting this online application to the scholarship appeals committee, care of the director of NJIT Student Financial Aid Services. In your letter, you must describe, in detail, the circumstances that prevented you from meeting the eligibility criteria. Reinstatement of the scholarship will depend on the circumstances detailed in your appeal letter and the availability of funding at the time of your request. To view the appeal deadline go to Deadlines to Watch.

There are two types of Federal Direct PLUS loans. These loans are available to parents of dependent students and graduate students. 

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan

The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan for undergraduate students is a credit-based loan available to biological or adoptive parent of dependent undergraduate students who are enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) in a degree seeking program. The student must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). The interest rate is variable and adjusted each year on July 1. 

There is also an origination fee which is a percentage of the total loan amount which is deducted before the loan is credited to student's billing statement. Parents should consider the origination fee when determining the amount of the loan request. 

Learn more about the Federal Direct Parent PLUS loans. 

Who can borrow: U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens can apply.

Maximum amount: The loans cover the cost of attendance minus other aid.

Repayment: Payment begins 60 days after the last disbursement of the year is made. Parent may request deferment of repayment while the student is in school and for up to 6 months after the student graduates, drops below half-time or withdraws from school. 

How to apply: Complete the credit-based Parent PLUS Application. 

Other requirements:

• Student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Parent must sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) for funds to be disbursed.

Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan

Federal Direct Grad PLUS loan is a credit-based loan available to students attending graduate school who are enrolled at least half-time in a degree seeking program. The student must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen and making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). The interest rate is variable and adjusted each year on July 1. 

There is also an origination fee which is a percentage of the total loan amount which is deducted before the loan is credited to student's billing statement. Students should consider the origination fee when determining the amount of the loan request. 

Learn more about the Federal Direct Grad PLUS loans. 

Who can borrow: U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens can apply.

Maximum amount: The loans cover the cost of attendance minus other aid.

Repayment: Student may request deferment of repayment while the student is in school and for up to 6 months after the student graduates, drops below half-time or withdraws from school. 

How to apply: Complete the credit-based Grad PLUS Application. 

Other requirements:

• Student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Must sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) for funds to be disbursed.

Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized/Unsubsidized)

Federal student loans are available to eligible students (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible non-citizens) who submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These loans are available to qualifying full-time or part-time (6 credits) undergraduate and graduate students (Unsubsidized only) who are making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and are accepted into a degree-granting program (some graduate certificates are eligible too). Federal Direct Loans offer better options than private loans from banks. We encourage students to use federal loans before other private loans, which can carry costly fees and higher interest rates. See the loan Repayment Plans.

Learn more about the Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans. 

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan 

These are need-based low-interest loans from the U.S. Department of Education, administered by NJIT. Borrowers must demonstrate financial need after all other awards (grants, scholarships, and federal work-study) are considered. Because these are need-based loans (based on FAFSA), the government pays the interest while the student is enrolled at least half-time (6 credits). You must pay the principal and interest during the repayment period which occurs six months following graduation, or if you are enrolled less than half-time (<6 credits) or withdraw from the university. The federal government withholds an origination fee to defray the costs of administering the loan programs.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan 

These are non-need-based, low-interest loans from the U.S. Department of Education, administered by NJIT. Both undergraduate and graduate students may be eligible but must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits). Payment is deferred as long as the student is enrolled at least half-time; after deferment, there is a six-month grace period. The borrower is responsible for the interest on these loans from the time the loan is disbursed. Students may choose to make loan payments while in school (recommended) or allow the interest to accumulate. The federal government withholds an origination fee to defray the costs of administering the loan programs.

Required Loan Documents

First-time borrowers must complete the following documents:

• Master Promissory Note (MPN)
• Entrance Counseling 

As a Federal Direct Loan borrower, before you graduate, or if you drop below less than half-time enrollment, you must complete:

• Exit Counseling discusses topics such as repayment options, grace periods, deferment, and more.

How Loan Amounts are Determined

The amount of federal loans offered is based on the following factors (see the chart below for details):

• Undergraduate or graduate student
• Grade level (freshman, sophomore, junior/senior)
• Dependency status
• Previous federal loan balances

Annual and Aggregate Federal Direct Loan Limits (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

A new program established by the College Cost Reduction & Access Act offering loan forgiveness after 10-years of public service employment.

To qualify for loan forgiveness, a borrower must make qualifying monthly loan payments (120 payments) while working full-time in qualifying public service employment. For further information, view the Public Service Loan Forgiveness document.

Next Steps for Graduating Students

For important information and resources for graduating students, please visit here.

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 First-Year and Transfer NJIT Students 

Schedule an appointment for admitted First-Year 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