“The Rutgers University policy is governed by New Jersey Administrative Code 9A:5 which requires that individuals be domiciled within the state of New Jersey for at least one year immediately prior to enrollment. Persons who have been domiciled within the state of NJ for less than 12 months prior to initial enrollment are presumed to NOT be domiciled in NJ for tuition purposes. Domicile is defined as the place where a person has his or her true, fixed, permanent home and principle establishment, and to which, whenever he or she is absent, he or she has the intention of returning. Residence established solely for the purpose of attending Rutgers University does not constitute domicile for tuition purposes.”
I am 95% sure that I do qualify for in-state tuition. I’ve been living in New Jersey since my arrival, and according to the definition, it is my domicile.
That makes a lot of sense. Although, there is a hook to it.
When I log in to see my award letter, on the right hand side it tells me a couple of statements, such as:
Enrollment Status: Full time
Housing Status: Commuting
Residency Status: NJ Resident
This is what confuses me, because the award letter somehow recognizes that I am a NJ resident yet I feel like I am being charged out-of-state tuition. I would understand if it didn’t recognize me as a NJ resident, but on the right hand side, it is stated how I described it above. Could it still be a mistake?
Not everything gets changed correctly and there might be a mistake that needs to be changed by a human.
Do you have your billing statement yet? Can you log into a portal and see the actual charge?
My daughter had two files for her school, and two student numbers. Everything was mixed up all the time. After we sent it THREE times and they still blocked her from registering for second semester, I called the number I had, which as in the financial aid office. I said “Is it possible there are two files?” and indeed there were, one with 3 copies of her high school record in it, the other with none. He combined the files and most problems were solved. This was after no one could ‘find’ her state merit award even after the state people confirmed it had been sent to the school, after her meal plan was mixed up, after her name had to be changed on her records.
"he/she has resided in the state of New Jersey for at least 12 consecutive months after receiving permanent U.S. residency "
You need the instate res reqs to be fulfilled AFTER getting the green card, when did you get the card? If you were waiting for it in April 18, you are not one year until April 19.
That actually happened to me too, when I couldn’t log into my award letter portal back in very early April. Is it possible they could have mixed it up again? I remember them merging the two profiles together.
Yes, it does mention that. However, it should be lower than what I currently have, nonetheless. Rutgers didn’t give me a mertit scholarship, at all. I received a very high SAT score, had the highest GPA, took part in plenty of activities (I ran out of room to write them all out on my application), yet I feel like all that work is for nothing.
The Net Price calculator for out-of-state says I should be getting roughly $16,000 to $20,000 a year, with the Merit Scholarship. If I received that, as I should, since nearly all attending Rutgers Students receive some sort of merit scholarship, it would be a much easier sum to pay for the first year.
As mentioned earlier, I applied for the NJHESAA an hour ago and I hopefully will receive some sort of aid from that source.
. You are international for admission, merit and aid for internationals won’t be the same as for in state students or OOS US citizens. Some schools don’t even allow GC holders access to local awards, for example.
Notice of Approval to Apply for Permanent Residence (I-171 or I-464) only, however I did have a EAD card as well as a SSN.
I have to fix that, then. I am not an international student, and I have received absolutely no awards or merits. I know some people with GC holders that did. Should I go and try arguing my case at the admission’s office?
How? How did you do this? You weren’t a citizen or permanent resident on November 26.
I do not think that is true…at all.
I am going to offer a different idea.
When you applied for admission…and submitted your FAFSA in November…you had not yet received a green card. When you submitted your FAFSA in November, you had not yet received a green card…so actually you were NOT even eligible to use the FAFSA as that is for U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
In November, when you were NOT yet a green card holder, you probably should have completed the ISFA form (International Student Financial Aid). I’m guessing you didn’t do that.
You really were not even eligible to submit a FAFSA form until your permanent resident status came through. Before that date, you WERE likely considered an international student.
The day you received your green card, you should have contacted the college and gotten your status updated. It doesn’t sound like you did that…but rather waited until the school asked YOU for info.
You can contact Rutgers NOW and see if there is still money available…maybe there is…and maybe there isn’t. But really…it sounds to me like your status as a permanent resident was NOT in place when you filed your admission application and FAFSA in November. And if that was the case, it was likely not processed by Rutgers…actually…I wonder how it got processed at all when you filed it in November.
verywhere on my enrollment pathway (the Rutgers website to-do checklist), it says "sign up for an International orientation" and such. The in-state tuition for Rutgers is $15,000 every single year, I am a permanent resident since March this year<<<<<<<<<<
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Again, Rutgers wants your instate residency to be 1 year post GC status. That won't be until March 19. So once you apply for an adjustment if international status you still don't fulfil instate criteria for admission in fall 18.
@sybbie719 totally agree that the GCs can and do inquire about students completing the FAFSA…and our schools do have evening assistance sessions to help families do so (with outside folks who do the help).
And the GCs also do monitor to see that the FAFSA is completed.
BUT…that is very different than knowing the specific financials that are ON the FAFSA forms for the students. Do the NYC guidance folks know this information?
It’s also very different than contacting a college and seeing if a FAFSA is filed correctly. Our schools staff would absolutely help a student and family know what to say…and do in this situation, but the GCs here would not be in the position to discuss the specifics of the financial aid forms…at all.
But I don’t think that is the issue here at all. I honestly think that in November when this kiddo filed his FAFSA, he was actually NOT eligible to do so. His permanent resident status wasn’t complete until March. I’m guessing THAT is the issue.
And then in March…this student didn’t update his residency status…he just waited for the college to do something…which they eventually did. They asked for more some documentation…which he frankly should have and could have provided in March…when he received that green card.
The schools are not mind readers. They would have had NO way to know this kiddo was a permanent resident…because he didn’t tell the school in March when that became the case.
And for the record…a five week verification turnaround is actually pretty good.
Simply, I was allowed to file the FAFSA without any effect up until I received my required things. Then, the FAFSA took into effect after the acquirement and I was granted this so-called “award” letter.
Right now, I’m simply trying to figure out how to minimize this cost since the given amount is kind of unacceptable. I’m probably going to talk to the registrar and get more of a deduction. If anything, I’ll pay it for the first year, and then hopefully next year I get offered around $4,000 to $8,000 a year. Not deferring anything, though.
What I’m sure of is that I am suppose to get some kind of merit scholarship for my academic accolades that I for some reason haven’t received. Then, perhaps, the cost will be much different than what it is now.
@thumper1, in Op’s case the GC could have told Op that he cannot file the FAFSA or receive Federal or state aid until he actually has an A-number in hand.
The GC could have also explained the in-state out of state tuition situation and what constitutes residency to OP even if s/he had to call financial aid for clarification while Op was in the room. Yes, financial aid offices will speak to GCs as long as the student is also available for the conversation and gives permission for the college to speak with the GC.
>>To be considered:Apply to Rutgers by December 1 and submit all required credentials within two weeks of the application due date.
U.S. citizens and permanent residents are considered for merit-based awards…
A limited number of merit-based awards are offered to International students who are studying on valid non-immigrant visas…
…All admitted international students (on valid non-immigrant visas) are automatically considered for Rutgers international scholarships. No separate application is required. International students who wish to be considered for scholarships are encouraged to apply by either the early action or regular action application due dates. Given the limited availability, early applicants are more likely to be awarded scholarships. Scholarships range from $2,000–$10,000 per year.
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As OP has no scholarships, the deferral doesn't work. Deferral just keeps the same level of scholarship offered, as that was none, there is nothing to defer.
OP, why are you so sure you would get a scholarship? Criteria for internationals is not the same. What are your stats?
I want to know how this student who was an international student with out permenant residency status was able to complete AND submit a FAFSA in November…when he or she did NOT have permanent resident status until March.
At the very least, this FAFSA would have been flagged because citizenship was not able to be verified. If this student is a male student, the registry for secret service would have been flag number 2.
@DrPhil7268 do you understand…when you completed the FAFSA in November, you were NOT even eligible for the Pell Grant and Direct Loan? At that time, you were an international student with green card PENDING.
International students seeking merit aid need to complete the ISFA form for Rutgers. That is very clearly stated on their website. You didn’t do this…or if you have, you have stated so. THAT is the form required for international students, not the FAFSA.
Maybe…maybe you would’ve gotten merit aid. But as I read it…you didn’t complete the right forms for YOUR residency status as of November.
One more thing you need to remember…and understand. Rutgers offers merit aid, but it is NOT guaranteed for anyone…and that includes kids with perfect stats. In addition, you didn’t get your residency status straightened out until APRIL when it’s very very possible that all merit aid had been awarded.
****IMPORTANT do NOT assume you will get merit aid innsubsequent years from Rutgers. That is an assumption that also isn’t necessarily true. Many…MANY colleges have precious little new merit aid for returning students.
Also, make sure that if you start at Rutgers as an OOS student that you can change your out of state status to instate in subsequent years. At some schools…you would not be able to do that either.
If you can’t pay the price of Rutgers this year, I see one choice.
Take a gap year. You now have a green card. Get a job. Apply for admission for fall 2019, and apply to schools with guaranteed merit aid, or schools that are affordable. You can even apply to Rutgers again if you want to. I would also suggest Rowen and TCNJ as an instate resident.
This will also get your instate residency for tuition issue cleared up…because it will be more than a year after you got your green card.
Don’t expect Rutgers to give you merit aid for the 2018-2019 academic year. That is likely not to happen.
Don’t expect Rutgers to grant you instate status for tuition purposes when you were an international student until MARCH 2018.
But DO have a nice conversation with Rutgers about this…if you want to. The school itself will be the best place to get the best answers.
But your notion that everyone at Rutgers gets some kind of merit aid is…wrong. It’s just wrong. And it’s not true.
I agree, if you want to be considered to be an instate student for merit, tuition and NJ grant at Rutgers, you’ll most likely have to reapply this fall.
Get a nonfilers letter for you and tax return transcript for your parents for the tax year 2017, file the 2019/20 FAFSA asap in October, and provide all supporting documents to Rutgers asap.
You would save so much money over the four years if you do this, and you might even be able to retake the SAT this summer, to increase merit chances.