Rutgers University–New Brunswick is committed to helping New Jersey students access the outstanding education and opportunities offered at Rutgers. To support this priority, Rutgers–New Brunswick has designated Scarlet Guarantee as a signature financial aid program.
Scarlet Guarantee is a Rutgers–New Brunswick Tuition Assistance Program that helps make attendance affordable. In combination with other Federal and State aid programs, like Garden State Guarantee, Rutgers provides eligible students with funding to cover all, or a portion of, costs associated with in-state tuition and eligible fees over four years. Scarlet Guarantee is considered a “last dollar” award. If awarded, Scarlet Guarantee will be applied after other grants and scholarships to cover all, or a portion of, the remaining costs of in-state tuition and eligible fees.
Note: Tuition Assistance Programs do not cover costs for housing, dining, books, or non-eligible fees.
Financial eligibility is determined annually by the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or NJAFAA (New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application). Scarlet Guarantee and Garden State Guarantee provide funding based on three financial eligibility tiers:
In addition to financial eligibility, Scarlet Guarantee and Garden State Guarantee require students to be registered full-time and to complete the specified number of credits during years one (1) through four (4):
To achieve the established credit eligibility requirements for Scarlet Guarantee/Garden State Guarantee, students are encouraged to successfully complete an average of 15 credits/semester or 30 credits/year. Once full-time (12 credits), students do not pay more for additional credits.
Note: students in some schools may be required to take more than 15 credits/semester to fulfill degree requirements.
Students who are eligible for funding from Scarlet Guarantee will receive a financial aid package detailing the amount designated to cover all, or a portion of, the costs of tuition and eligible fees. Since Scarlet Guarantee is a "last dollar" award, funding may be reduced after all other grant and scholarship aid has been applied to the term bill. Students should monitor their financial aid package for any revisions to the Scarlet Guarantee awarded amount.
To be eligible for the Scarlet Guarantee, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Still have questions about the Scarlet Guarantee?
Q: For how long am I eligible for the Scarlet Guarantee? A: If you satisfy all eligibility criteria, you may receive the Scarlet Guarantee up to the overall cap of four semesters. To maximize continued eligibility for funding with the Garden State Guarantee you should successfully complete 60 credits by start of year three. Q: Where can I find my family’s adjusted gross income (AGI)? A: Your family’s adjusted gross income (AGI) is available on the tax documentation required to complete your FAFSA or NJAFAA application. Q: I am enrolling as a first-year student, but I am not eligible for the Scarlet Guarantee at this time. Will I automatically qualify for year two if there is a change in my financial status that places my family’s AGI within the required range? A: Yes. If you enroll out of high school but later qualify for year two based on a change in your family’s AGI, you will be eligible for year two and this change will be reflected in your financial aid package. Remember qualifying doesn’t mean that you will receive. Since Scarlet Guarantee is a “last dollar” award, you will only receive if the cost of in-state tuition and eligible fees are not covered, according to the three tiers, by another source of funding. Q: Are transfer students eligible for the Scarlet Guarantee? A: Transfer students are eligible for the Scarlet Guarantee, provided they transfer to Rutgers–New Brunswick as full-time students for their first and second years. Q: Are graduate students eligible? A: No. The Scarlet Guarantee program provides financial support for years one and two of a student’s first undergraduate degree only. Q: Are Rutgers University–Newark and Rutgers University–Camden students eligible for the Scarlet Guarantee? A: Rutgers–Newark and Rutgers–Camden have similar programs to the Scarlet Guarantee. More information can be found via the links provided.
Note: Tuition Assistance Programs do not cover costs for housing, dining, books, or non-eligible fees (See Tuition and Fees).
Q: I am an admitted student to the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, which is a 6-year program. If I receive the Scarlet Guarantee now and later receive the Garden State Guarantee for years three and four, will I receive anything for years five and six?
A: Not from the Scarlet Guarantee or Garden State Guarantee programs. These two programs combined only provide financial support for years one through four.
Q: How is the Scarlet Guarantee different from the Garden State Guarantee?
A: The Garden State Guarantee is a New Jersey award and is designed to benefit third- and fourth-year students, and the Scarlet Guarantee is a Rutgers-New Brunswick award and serves as a pipeline for first- and second-year students.
Q: Do I need to apply for the Scarlet Guarantee award? A: You will automatically be considered for the Scarlet Guarantee when you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application (NJAFAA), or if you qualify as a NJ Dreamer, by the posted state deadlines. Q: How do I let Rutgers know I’m interested in receiving the Scarlet Guarantee award? A: Simply accept your offer of admission to a school of Rutgers–New Brunswick by the enrollment deadline through your Application Portal. Q. Am I able to receive the Scarlet Guarantee during the Winter and Summer terms? A. The Scarlet Guarantee is available for the fall and spring semesters only. Q: I had Scarlet Guarantee funding last year, but now I don’t, why? A: There can be many reasons why you may not receive Scarlet Guarantee funding in your second year. The primary reason may be that the cost of in-state tuition and eligible fees may be covered by another funding source such as a Federal Pell Grant, NJ Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG), or a scholarship. Other reasons might include, change in family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), missed application deadline, or change in residency. It is best to check with the One Stop Student Services Center. Q. What does it mean that Scarlet Guarantee is a “last dollar” award? A. The “last dollar” designation means that Scarlet Guarantee funding may be applied when the cost of in-state tuition and eligible fees are not covered by other sources of funding (e.g. Federal Pell Grant, NJ Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG), or a scholarships) according to the three tiers of funding. Because of this, the amount of any Scarlet Guarantee funding, if awarded, may differ during years one and two. The One Stop Student Services Center can answer questions about your aid package.
Q: Am I required to hold a certain GPA while enrolled at Rutgers in order to maintain the Scarlet Guarantee award? A: Yes. For University grant programs such as the Scarlet Guarantee, as well as other state and federal programs, you must meet the Rutgers Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards each semester. Academic support resources are available on campus to help you successfully complete course requirements and make academic progress. Q: How many credits should I take each semester while enrolled at Rutgers through the Scarlet Guarantee program? A: You should take an average of 15 credits per semester to ensure you complete 30 credits each academic year. Remember, some schools and academic programs may require more. You should also meet regularly with an academic advisor and track your progress towards your degree requirements using Degree Navigator. Q. What funding is available for summer session to help me get to 60 credits by my third year? A. Your eligibility for summer financial aid will depend on your financial aid package for the academic year. It is best to speak with someone at the One Stop Student Services Center to determine options for financial aid for summer courses. Q. I was advised/required to only take 12 credits. Am I still eligible for Scarlet Guarantee? A. Yes. Eligible students must be registered full-time (at least 12 credits) to receive Scarlet Guarantee funding. Advisors may encourage (or require) students to only take 12 credits as a way to help them successfully fulfill course requirements, meet school policy guidelines, or attend to health/ personal circumstances. However, because many financial aid programs have credits requirements and/or designated timeframes for funding, students are encouraged to successfully complete an average of 15 credits/semester or 30 credits/year. The average of 30 credits/year includes options for winter and summer session courses. If you take fewer than 15 credits in a semester, it is important to work with an academic advisor to determine when it may be best to take additional credits to maximize future aid eligibility.
Q: I have additional questions. Where should I go? A: For additional information about the Scarlet Guarantee program, please contact the One Stop Student Services Center.
