<p>I heard that Rutgers's scholarships start coming out mid-December to late December (??), but I'm also getting that the scholarship depends on your FAFSA information, and you can't access FAFSA until January 1st.</p>
<p>Can someone explain/clarify?</p>
<p>Also, as an offshoot, what’s the purpose of a PIN? Will you need it for the FAFSA/scholarships?</p>
<p>These are Merit Scholarships.Nothing to do with need.</p>
<p>That’s what I thought… but my guidance counselor told us that FAFSA affected merit-based scholarships as well. I think the Scarlet Award also varies heavily on need-basis.</p>
<p>You know, what the heck. My counselor has proven her incompetence through and through, so I’m not sure what to believe.</p>
<p>It says on Rutgers site that the Scarlet is merit and need based. The odd thing is FAFSA forms aren’t even available till January.</p>
<p>The pin will help you access your FAFSA and submit corrections. You will fill out an estimated FAFSA based on last year or just a rough estimate. You will be asked to submit any corrections after you and your parents file your taxes. Keep the pin number in a safe place as you will use it each year. </p>
<p>After you fill our your FAFSA, Rutgers will post online your estimated awards.Not sure if they send something in the mail , someone can correct me on it.</p>
<p>The earlier you fill out your FAFSA, the better your chances of getting any financial aid (that is if you qualify).</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Do you know if the time you take to fill out FAFSA will affect your chances of getting merit-based scholarships? Like, would they send you a qualification notice and wait on your FAFSA report - or would they only consider you for merit-based <em>after</em> your FAFSA is submitted?</p>
<p>2013-2014 FAFSA form becomes available on January 1st.</p>
<p>I don’t think that FAFSA should affect merit based scholarships, but if you have a certain amount of need, and you accept a merit based scholarship, that amount will be deducted from your need based aid.</p>
<p>The December scholarships are 100% merit, as the FAFSA is filed until later. It is possible the scholarship could be adjusted upward based on need. I also know of someone who received an additional scholarship from his/her school in the spring and had not filed a FAFSA.</p>
<p>Okay then, thanks everyone. I’ll treat the two separately and see what happens.</p>
<p>Exactly when does the merit scholarship info come? Is it through mail or email? Does anybody know?</p>
<p>After we send in FAFSA to Rutgers, should we just wait, or is there something else we have to do?</p>
<p>As long as you complete FAFSA before the deadline they won’t penalize you with money. </p>
<p>The award status doesn’t come out till june/july depending on NJ HESSA. </p>
<p>If you feel like you need more money, try the federal parent plus loan. It has a way better interest rate than private loans.</p>