Frequently Asked Questions
Registration FAQ
- When is Preregistration?
- When is the Add/Drop period and what does the process consist of?
- Late Registration and Final Add/Drop Period
- What is a Special Permission number and when is it necessary?
- What is a prerequisite override and when is it necessary?
- How do financial holds affect registration?
- How do I obtain student information?
When is Preregistration?
Preregistration takes place in late October and early November for the Spring semester and in late March and early April for the Fall semester. During this period, students may register using WEBREG, or thru in-person registration.
Continuing graduate students may register at any time, once the registration process begins.
Undergraduate students follow a descending degree credit schedule, resulting in seniors registering first, followed by juniors, etc. The registration system blocks undergraduate students from adding or dropping courses on days other than those assigned to their degree credit group.
When is the Add/Drop period and what does the process consist of?
The Add/Drop period generally occurs during the first two weeks of the semester. Students may add and drop courses to finalize their registrations. The actual add/drop dates are determined by the University Senate prior to the beginning of the semester, and it can vary each semester. Also, the Senate’s decision supersedes any previously advertised add/drop dates. Therefore, students must check their campus specific website at the beginning of each semester to determine the latest registration information available. Students may use WEBREG or in-person registration, but undergraduates must register following a descending degree credit schedule (similar to the preregistration schedule).
Instructors may assign special permission numbers to students during this period. Instructors should not advise students to go to the Registrar’s Office to add a course because there appears to be empty seats in a classroom. An empty seat is not necessarily an indication that there are spaces available in a class. Some students do not attend the first class meetings of a course but are registered for the course and will attend. Each department establishes the number of spaces/seats available in their respective courses.
Late Registration and Final Add/Drop Period
Students who have not pre-registered or have a financial obligation to the University may register “late” during the first five days of the semester. These students must first make contact with the Cashier’s Office to pay their term bills or the appropriate department for any other outstanding financial obligations.
What is a Special Permission number and when is it necessary?
Special permission numbers are course/section related. These numbers are needed by students in order to register for courses that have reached their stop points/closed to additional students. In addition, special permission numbers are required to override the class year, school, or major restrictions on a course. Please be aware that if you give a student a special permission number to override a class year, school, or major restriction, the special permission number will allow the student to register for the course even if the course has reached its stop point, resulting in too many students in the course (not enough seats for the total number registered for the course).
Instructors will receive a list of special permission numbers from their departments. These numbers are not generated by the Registrar’s Office. Requests for additional special permission numbers must be made through your department. Requiring special permission numbers after the add period is over allows an instructor to determine if a student may enter his/her class at the late date.
Instructors must keep a record of the student(s) to whom they have given a special permission number. Please check with your department regarding their policy for special permission numbers and how they are assigned.
Special permission numbers are course/section specific and can only be used once. They cannot be shared among students.
What is a prerequisite override and when is it necessary?
Departments determine what course(s) a student must take, prior to, or in conjunction with a specific course. If the instructor or the department waives the requirement of the prerequisite or co-requisite course, the student should be given a “prerequisite override”
How do financial holds affect registration?
If a student has an outstanding term bill balance or parking violations at the time of registration for the next term, they will be blocked from registering. In order to register for the next term’s classes, a student must satisfy their financial obligation from the current term.
How do I obtain student information?
To obtain a student’s schedule, log on to the Unofficial Transcript and Grades system via CAS and enter the students RUID.
To obtain a student’s email address, permanent address, or PO Box, go to: People Search and enter the student’s last name, first name.
Financial Aid FAQ
- I forgot my RUID number. How do I find it?
- How long will it take for Rutgers to receive my FAFSA?
- I was selected for verification and I submitted all of my paperwork. How long will it take to finalize my file?
- Do I need a separate application for a Federal Direct Loan?
- Do I need to complete a separate application for a Parent of Graduate PLUS Loan?
- What forms do I need to complete to apply for financial aid?
- How often do I apply for financial aid?
- What is the FAFSA Title IV Code for Rutgers?
- What is the deadline to apply for financial aid?
- Do I have to be admitted to Rutgers before applying for financial aid?
- What happens if I filed the FAFSA after the priority deadline?
- What is the maximum family income cutoff for financial aid?
- What factors are considered in determining financial aid?
- What happens if there’s a change in my family’s income from last year?
- Do I need to submit copies of my family’s federal tax returns to the Office of Financial Aid?
- What do I need to do after completing my application for Federal Direct/PLUS Loans?
- How do I apply for work study?
- Is there aid available for summer session? How do I apply?
- Can part-time students receive financial aid?
- Can I receive financial aid to attend a study abroad program?
- Where can I find information about scholarships?
- How will an outside scholarship affect my financial aid award from Rutgers?
- What will happen to my financial aid award if I drop a course or withdraw from the university?
- Does Rutgers offer a tuition payment plan?
- Will my term bill reflect changes in my registration, dining, or housing?
- What action do I take if charges are missing from my term bill?
- When will I receive my refund if my awards are more than my semester charges?
- What do I do if my financial aid is not on my term bill?
- Can work study funds be credited to the term bill?
- I have prior educational loans that need to be deferred. What processes my forms?
I forgot my RUID number. How do I find it?
You can look up your RUID number by logging in with your Net ID at my.rutgers.edu/profile.
How long will it take for Rutgers to receive my FAFSA?
The Office of Financial Aid usually receives your FAFSA seven (7) days from the time you completed the application. However, you will not receive an award notification until mid-March (for those that file before the January 15 priority deadline (NOTE: The date for the 2024-2025 FAFSA is March 15, 2024)) or two weeks after you submit the FAFSA (for those that file after the priority deadline).
I was selected for verification and I submitted all of my paperwork. How long will it take to finalize my file?
The Office of Financial Aid usually processes all documents within 10-14 days from the time received.
Do I need a separate application for a Federal Direction Loan?
You need to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for a Federal Direct Loan.
Do I need to complete a separate application for a Parent of Graduate PLUS Loan?
You need to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for any Federal Direct Loan, including Parent or Graduate PLUS Loans. You will also need to complete a PLUS application. Learn more about the PLUS loan process.
What forms do I need to complete to apply for financial aid?
You will only need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available online at fafsa.gov to apply for financial aid.
You will need to submit your 2021 tax returns on the FAFSA for the 2023-2024 academic year and your 2022 tax returns on the FAFSA for the 2024-2025 academic year. You can easily import your returns using the Direct Data Exchange.
How often do I apply for financial aid?
The FAFSA is valid for one year (July 1 through June 30), so it is necessary to reapply each year.
What is the FAFSA Title IV Code for Rutgers?
002629
What is the deadline to apply for financial aid?
Rutgers undergraduate and graduate continuing students should file the FAFSA before the priority deadline of January 15 (NOTE: The date for the 2024-2025 FAFSA is March 15, 2024). Incoming students (high school seniors) should file the FAFSA before the December 1 (NOTE: The date for the 2024-2025 FAFSA is March 15, 2024) priority deadline.
Do I have to be admitted to Rutgers before applying for financial aid?
Prospective students who apply for financial aid must also apply for admission and be accepted into a regular degree program at Rutgers University before any consideration or decision on financial aid can be made. However, you should not wait for formal acceptance to Rutgers to apply for financial aid; apply early for both financial aid and admission.
What happens if I filed the FAFSA after the priority deadline?
Filing the FAFSA by the priority deadline ensures that you will be considered for all available aid. If you file after the priority filing deadline of December 1 (NOTE: The date for the 2024-2025 FAFSA is March 15, 2024)(for incoming students) or January 15 (NOTE: The date for the 2024-2025 FAFSA is March 15, 2024)(for continuing students) and are eligible to receive financial aid, an aid package will still be constructed for you, but you may miss out on some campus-based funding.
What is the maximum family income cutoff for financial aid?
There is no specific cutoff. Each family’s financial situation is different.
What factors are considered in determining financial aid?
Variables, such as family size, income, number of family members in college, age of older parent, and asset information are included in the calculation of a student’s financial need.
What happens if there’s a change in my family’s income from last year?
If your income has changed from last year, please complete the Professional Judgement Request Form.
Do I need to submit copies of my family’s federal tax returns to the Office of Financial Aid?
You will only be required to submit documentation if you receive a request from our office.
What do I need to do after completing my application for Federal Direct/PLUS Loans?
You must complete the Master Promissory Note and entrance counseling in order for your aid to be credited to your term bill. For your loans to disburse, you must complete the loan acceptance process.
How do I apply for work study?
There is no separate application required to apply for work-study. You must complete the FAFSA by the priority filing deadline and demonstrate financial need. After being notified of the work-study award, eligible students must complete a job application.
Is there aid available for summer session? How do I apply?
Yes, limited funding may be available. Summer aid applications are available beginning in March.
Can part-time students receive financial aid?
Yes, however, a student must be enrolled on at least a half-time basis to be eligible to receive student loans. New Jersey grants and scholarships are generally awarded only to full-time students.
Can I receive financial aid to attend a study abroad program?
Please contact the Rutgers Center for Global Education to learn more about financial aid available to study abroad students.
Where can I find information about scholarships?
How will an outside scholarship affect my financial aid award from Rutgers?
Each recipient of federal student aid has a calculated financial need and cost of attendance, and the combination of all sources of aid cannot exceed this need and/or cost of attendance figure. It may be necessary to reduce your financial aid, especially loans, if an outside scholarship arrives after our aid offer.
What will happen to my financial aid award if I drop a course or withdraw from the university?
If your tuition is adjusted because you drop a course, it may be necessary to reduce your financial aid. If you completely withdraw from the university during the first 60 percent of the term, your financial aid eligibility must be recalculated. Dropping courses and withdrawing are academic actions that might have serious financial implications and may affect your future aid eligibility because of failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress. Contact your regional office to speak with a financial aid representative for more information.
Does Rutgers offer a tuition payment plan?
Yes. Visit the Student Accounting Services website for additional information.
Will my term bill reflect changes in my registration, dining, or housing?
Students will receive an email when term bills are available to view online. If you make subsequent changes to your registration, financial aid, dining, or housing, you will not receive an adjusted bill through the mail. All changes will be reflected on your online term bill.
What action do I take if charges are missing from my term bill?
You must contact the appropriate office using the numbers provided on your term bill, or the Office of Student Accounting, Billing, and Cashiering. Add the charge to your existing term bill and return it to the university with the applicable payment.
When will I receive my refund if my awards are more than my semester charges?
Once your awards credit to your student account and exceed the balance due, a refund will be processed for you. You are encouraged to sign up for Direct Deposit in order to receive your refunds faster and safer. If you do not sign up for direct deposit, your refund check will be mailed to your permanent home address on file. For more information about the refund policy, please click here.
What do I do if my financial aid is not on my term bill?
If you receive an award letter subsequent to the date of your term bill, you may adjust your amount due by the amount of aid offered. You can also view your Financial Aid online.
Can work study funds be credited to the term bill?
No. If you accept work-study funds, you work and earn those funds. You receive a check for every two-week pay period in which you work and you may earn up to the amount of listed under Federal Work Study Program on your award letter.
I have prior educational loans that need to be deferred. Who processes my forms?
Deferment forms are processed by the registrar of your respective school.