Click here to thank your congressperson for your federal financial aid.

Do you receive financial aid to help finance your education at Rutgers? Ever wonder where that money comes from? You might be surprised to learn that the federal government provides 73 percent of all financial aid. Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, Work Study, and Perkins Loans are all federal financial aid programs. Congress, in large part, decides how much money these programs will get each year.

At Rutgers, over 42,000 federal financial aid awards are given annually. The vast majority of awarded students participate in the Direct Stafford Loan program, through which student loan dollars are lent directly to you by the U.S. government. In the case of Subsidized Stafford Loans, the U.S. government also covers the interest on the loan while you are in school. Over 10,000 Rutgers students receive Pell Grants, need-based grants of up to $4,050 per year that, unlike loans, don't need to be repaid. Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), Perkins Loans, and Federal Work Study are three additional need-based financial assistance programs brought to you by Uncle Sam. For more detailed information about any of these programs, contact the Rutgers Financial Aid Office.

In 1998, Congress reaffirmed its commitment to existing financial aid programs through the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. Congress is currently working on the next reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, with many important issues hanging in the balance.

Congress is currently reauthorizing the Higher Education Act to determine the authorized funding levels for all of the federal student aid programs as well as federal support for graduate, international, teacher education, and college preparedness programs.

Pell Grants are the cornerstone of the federal investment in higher education. Currently the maximum award per student is $4,050. The higher education community is advocating for a maximum award of $4,500.

Click here to tell your congressperson how important Pell Grants are to you and your classmates.

For more information on the federal student aid programs, please visit the Student Aid Alliance.

Talk of tax cuts in the national news may seem worlds away from life in the lecture hall, but a number of tax provisions like the Hope Tax Credit have been passed into law in recent years that help families finance higher education. Several more higher education-related provisions are being considered by Congress right now. Could you and your family benefit?

Click here for more information about tax cuts for education.

Are you a graduate student? While graduate and professional students are not eligible for Pell Grants or SEOG, you could qualify for Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans, or Federal Work Study. You may also benefit from some of the tax provisions Congress is considering. In addition, many federal agencies, such as the National Science Foundation and the Department of Education, sponsor graduate fellowships that are worth looking into. Contact the Rutgers Office of Research & Sponsored Programs for more information.


Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Office of Federal Relations
444 North Capitol St. Suite 351
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202/ 220-1336
Fax: 202/ 220-1337