Terms and Conditions of Financial Aid

Undergraduate Terms and Conditions

  1. Rochester Institute of Technology participates in Federal, State and Institutional financial aid programs. Our financial aid professionals comply with the Code of Conduct policy to ensure high ethical standards and to prohibit conflicts of interest in situations involving student financial aid.
     
  2. As a financial aid recipient, you have certain rights and responsibilities. Some pertain to our pledge to you such as your right to privacy, others are your responsibility.
     
  3. To be considered for federal aid programs, students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form each academic year. You can file as early as October 1st of the preceding year that you intend to enroll in classes. The priority deadline for filing the FAFSA each year is April 1. You do NOT need to file a FAFSA for merit-based aid to be renewed from year to year.
     
  4. Residents of New York State who wish to apply for NYS financial aid must complete a FAFSA, a NYS TAP Grant application, and any aid specific supplemental documents that are required by the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). 
     
  5. Summer term begins the financial aid year (unlike the academic year which ends with summer). Financial aid may be available for students enrolled during the summer term, just like fall and spring terms. To determine if you are eligible for federal financial aid for the summer term, students must complete the FAFSA for the upcoming school year. 
     

  6. Financial aid recipients must be admitted and pursuing courses leading to a degree. Students not enrolled full-time may not be eligible for all forms of financial aid. The following details credit hour requirements for each aid type:

    • Federal Direct Loans - students must be enrolled in at least six credit hours (half time) of required coursework and/or in a part-time or full-time Co-op experience that is required for the completion of their degree.
    • Alternative Loans - credit hour requirement may vary between lenders
    • Certain federal, state, and institutional funds - some require full-time status or 12 credit hours
    • Students may be eligible for some federal grants while on coop or registered in less than six credits.

      NOTE: Students enrolled less than half time will begin using the 6-month grace period for their Federal Direct Loans, after which loans will enter repayment.
       
  7. Financial aid recipients must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards. SAP measures your semester GPA, cumulative GPA, and progress toward your degree. If you don’t meet all the requirements, you may become ineligible to receive federal aid programs like Pell Grant, SEOG, Direct Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and Work Study. If you lose eligibility for Federal Work Study, you can still work under the RIT Campus Employment Program.

    If you have no interest in federal financial aid programs, then these requirements don’t apply to you.
     

  8. Financial aid offers are processed based on full-time attendance (12 or more credits per semester) unless you have previously informed our office of your enrollment plans. Certain enrollment changes can affect your financial aid offer and potentially create a balance due on your student account. These changes include, but are not limited to changes in enrollment status, such as:

    • Adding/dropping classes after the add/drop period of a term
    • Adding/dropping a co-op
    • Graduation or completion of degree requirements
    • Leave of absence
    • Withdrawing from a class or all classes

      Please complete the Change of Enrollment online form in eServices. After you login to eServices, click on Financial Aid & Scholarships on the left. In the drop-down select Useful Links, and then click on the Change Enrollment option. These changes may result in reevaluation of financial aid and the student may then become responsible for the balance of his/her bill.
       
  9. Merit based aid (if offered through the admissions process) is renewed for up to 8 semesters as long as the student is enrolled as a full-time student making academic progress toward their degree and meets all other eligibility requirements. Merit aid is not available to students while enrolled in co-op.
     
  10. If a student withdraws or stops attending all of their courses in a semester and received federal financial aid as part of their aid offer, the student may not be eligible for the full amount of federal aid that the student was originally offered. If the student receives more assistance than the student earned based on the student’s last date of academic-related activity, the excess funds must be returned to the appropriate federal program. Go to Leave of Absence and Withdrawals for the complete Financial Aid Refund Policy.
     

  11. Students are responsible to notify the Office of the Registrar for any change to the following:

    • Address
    • Expected Graduation Term
    • Leave of Absence (LOA) request
    • Withdrawal
       
  12. If the student is receiving outside sources of financial assistance, including grants or scholarships from external organizations, employer-based tuition support, and/or vocational rehabilitation, log on to eServices and select the Financial Aid and Scholarships tab and then Report Other Aid. Complete the online form. If changes to your financial aid are necessary due to the receipt of the funding, we will send you a revised aid offer.
     
  13. The institution is required by federal regulations to review selected financial aid applications through a process called verification. If selected for verification, all required documents must be received by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships within 30 days of notification or your last date of attendance, whichever is earlier. Failure to do so may forfeit your eligibility to receive financial aid.
     
  14. The Office of Financial Aid reserves the right to request verification of any data submitted by students/spouses or parents. If the data is found to be incorrect, the data may require a correction to your FAFSA and your financial aid offer may be revised. If the student is determined ineligible for financial aid, the student’s aid offer can be withdrawn. The applicant will then be responsible for payment of all expenses incurred at RIT.
     
  15. Financial aid offers are based on information provided by the applicant and are subject to revisions and/or cancellation at any time if: federal or state regulations change; federal, state or institutional fund allocations change; student aid index (SAI) changes; the student receives a scholarship or outside aid; the student receives VA educational benefits; or an error is made in the calculation of a student's eligibility or aid offer, whether by the Servicer or the institution.
     
  16. Financial aid offers are for an academic year with equal disbursements for each semester. If after the financial aid is disbursed, the student account is paid in full and a credit balance exists, Student Financial Services (SFS) will issue the credit balance to the student or parent for PLUS loans. If financial aid does not cover your bill, you will be responsible for the difference by the payment due date. Contact SFS to make payment arrangements or to enroll in a payment plan.
     
  17. First-time Federal Direct Loan borrowers must accept their loan(s) on eServices, complete Entrance Counseling and Federal Direct Master Promissory Note (MPN). Loans will not be disbursed until the student has met these conditions. For more detailed information on the federal loan programs go to https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans.
     
  18. Students who are offered Federal Work Study (FWS) as part of their financial aid offer have the opportunity to work on campus in a variety of jobs. Contact the Student Employment Office for next steps. RIT does not assign or place students into positions, regardless of their FWS status. Students are expected to find, apply, and interview for job openings on their own. Gain valuable job search and work experience before applying to co- op and career opportunities. Jobs openings are posted on Career Connect.
     
  19. A Federal Direct PLUS and/or Alternative (non-federal or private) loan cannot be credited to the student’s account until the borrower’s credit is approved and the loan is certified by the school. Visit our Scholarships and Other Aid page on our website for information and contact our office should you need any assistance before applying.
     
  20. Parent PLUS Loan funds listed in an undergraduate student’s aid offer are not automatically applicable to Co-op terms of enrollment.  However, if PLUS Loan funding is needed during a required Co-op experience, the parent PLUS Loan borrower would need to actively request in writing the loan amount needed while their student is on Co-op.   This request can be emailed to the RIT Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at ritaid@rit.edu.  The parent borrower’s request should come from the email address they used when completing their PLUS Loan Application and it should indicate the amount of PLUS Loan funds they would like their student to receive in the Co-op term.  Borrowers must always keep origination fees in mind when determining PLUS Loan totals and can use the PLUS Loan calculator to assist with this process.  The RIT Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships must ensure that the combination of PLUS Loan funds and all other aid the student is receiving does not exceed the student’s cost of attendance.  In situations where it does, the PLUS loan would be reduced by the overage.
     
  21. Alternative Educational Loans listed in an undergraduate student’s aid offer are not applicable to Co-op terms of enrollment and are cancelled for the Co-op term. However, if Alternative Educational Loan funding is needed to assist with a student's living costs during a required Co-op experience, an exception may be possible. The borrower would request in writing the amount of loan funding needed while the student is on Co-op. This request should be made before the start of the Co-op term and emailed to the RIT Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships: ritaid@rit.edu
     
  22. The institution, state, and federal government are absolved of any and all responsibility for funding in the event that a grant and/or a loan or any other financial assistance is based upon fraudulent, inaccurate or misleading information.

Graduate Terms and Conditions

  1. Rochester Institute of Technology participates in Federal, State and Institutional financial aid programs. Our financial aid professionals comply with the Code of Conduct policy to ensure high ethical standards and to prohibit conflicts of interest in situations involving student financial aid.
     
  2. As a financial aid recipient, you have certain rights and responsibilities. Some pertain to our pledge to you such as your right to privacy, others are your responsibility.
     
  3. To be considered for federal financial aid programs, students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form each academic year. You can file as early as October 1st of the preceding year that you intend to enroll in classes. The priority deadline for filing the FAFSA each year is April 1. You do NOT need to file a FAFSA for merit-based aid to be renewed from year to year.

  4. Students seeking financial aid through academic departments or through other organizations that offer aid through the University must contact the source to determine application requirements and deadlines. Scholarships and assistantships are available in most graduate departments and some departments offer externally funded tuition remission and stipends from corporate or government agencies. Please contact the appropriate graduate program director or Graduate Admission for additional information.

  5. Residents of New York State who are eligible veterans and who wish to apply for NYS Veterans Tuition Award (VTA) must complete a FAFSA, a NYS TAP Grant Application and the NYS Veterans Tuition Award application.

  6. Summer term begins the financial aid year (unlike the academic year which ends with summer). Financial aid may be available for students enrolled during the summer term, just like fall and spring terms. To determine if you are eligible for federal financial aid for the summer term, students must complete the FAFSA for the upcoming school year.
     

  7. Each tern/semester, graduate students must be enrolled in at least six credits (half-time) of required coursework and/or have been granted full-time equivalent status by the university to be considered for Federal Direct Loans.  Federal financial aid recipients must be admitted and pursuing courses leading to a degree.

    NOTE: if your attendance falls below half-time you may lose eligibility for loans. You will go into repayment and begin using your grace period for your Federal Direct Loans.
     
  8. Financial aid recipients must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards. SAP measures your cumulative GPA, progress toward your degree, and maximum timeframe. If you don’t meet all the requirements, you become ineligible to receive federal aid programs like Federal Direct Loans and Direct PLUS Loans for Graduate Students.

    If you have no interest in federal financial aid programs, then these requirements don’t apply to you. Contact your academic department to determine if there are any academic standards you must maintain for the continuation/renewal of any merit-based or tuition remission aid programs.
     

  9. Graduate financial aid is offered based on full-time attendance (12 or more credits per semester) unless a student or their academic department provides the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships with other instructions. Certain enrollment changes can affect your financial aid offer and potentially create a balance due on your student account. These changes include, but are not limited to changes in enrollment status, such as:

    • Adding/dropping classes after the add/drop period of a term
    • Adding/dropping a coop
    • Graduation or completion of degree requirements
    • Leave of absence
    • Newly updated aid instructions from an academic department

    • Withdrawing from a class or all classes

      Please complete the Change of Enrollment online form in eServices. After you login to eServices, click on Financial Aid & Scholarships on the left. In the drop-down select Useful Links, and then click on the Change Enrollment option. These changes may result in a reevaluation of financial aid and the student may then become responsible for the balance of his/her bill.
       

  10. Scholarships and tuition remission are not available to students while enrolled in co-op.
     

  11. If a student withdraws or stops attending all of their courses in a semester and received federal financial aid as part of their aid offer, the student may not be eligible for the full amount of federal aid that the student was originally offered. If the student receives more assistance than the student earned based on the student’s last date of academic-related activity, the excess funds must be returned to the appropriate federal program. Go to Leave of Absence and Withdrawals for the complete Financial Aid Refund Policy.
     

  12. Students are responsible to notify the Office of the Registrar for any change to the following:

    • Address
    • Expected Graduation Term
    • Leave of Absence (LOA) request
    • Withdrawal
       
  13. If the student is receiving outside sources of financial assistance, including grants or scholarships from external organizations, employer-based tuition support, and/or vocational rehabilitation, log on to eServices and select the Financial Aid and Scholarships tab and then Report Other Aid. Complete the online form. If changes to your financial aid offer are necessary due to the receipt of the funding, we will send you a revised aid offer.
     
  14. The institution is required by federal regulations to review selected financial aid applications through a process called verification. If selected for verification, all required documents must be received by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships within 30 days of notification or your last date of attendance, whichever is earlier. Failure to do so may forfeit your eligibility to receive financial aid.
     
  15. The Office of Financial Aid reserves the right to request verification of any data submitted by students or spouses. If the data is found to be incorrect, the data may require a correction to your FAFSA and your financial aid offer may be revised. If the student is determined ineligible for financial aid, the student’s aid can be withdrawn. The applicant will then be responsible for payment of all expenses incurred at RIT.
     
  16. Financial aid offers are based on information provided by the applicant and are subject to revisions and/or cancellation at any time if: federal or state regulations change; federal, state or institutional fund allocations change; estimated family contribution changes; the student receives a scholarship or outside aid offer; the student receives VA educational benefits; or an error is made in the calculation of a student's eligibility or award, whether by the Servicer or the institution.
     
  17. If after the financial aid is disbursed, the student account is paid in full and a credit balance exists, Student Financial Services (SFS) will issue the credit balance to the student. If financial aid does not cover your bill, you will be responsible for the difference by the payment due date. Contact SFS to make payment arrangements or to enroll in a payment plan.
     
  18. First-time Federal Direct Loan borrowers must accept their loan(s) on eServices, complete Entrance Counseling and Federal Direct Master Promissory Note (MPN). Loans will not be disbursed until the student has met these conditions. For more detailed information on the federal loan programs go to https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans.
     
  19. A Federal Direct PLUS for Graduate Students and/or Alternative (non-federal or private) loan cannot be credited to the student’s account until the borrower’s credit is approved and the loan is certified by the school. Visit our Scholarships and Other Aid page on our website for information and contact our office should you need any assistance before applying.
     
  20. The institution, state, and federal government are absolved of any and all responsibility for funding in the event that a grant and/or a loan or any other financial assistance is based upon fraudulent, inaccurate or misleading information.
     

  21. Financial aid offers/tuition rates for specialized programs:

NTID Terms and Conditions

  1. Rochester Institute of Technology participates in Federal, State and Institutional financial aid programs. Our financial aid professionals comply with the Code of Conduct policy to ensure high ethical standards and to prohibit conflicts of interest in situations involving student financial aid.
     
  2. If your financial aid offer includes an estimated amount of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) you need to apply by contacting the office nearest your permanent residence for application information and forms. A state directory can be found at the Rehabilitation Services Administration website. Vocational rehabilitation (VR) is a federally funded state program that can assist people with disabilities find suitable occupations that may include funding for education. Each state will determine their eligibility for funding. If the actual amount of VR support you receive is different from what was estimated you are required to provide us with confirmation from your VR counselor.
     
  3. As a financial aid recipient, you have certain rights and responsibilities. Some pertain to our pledge to you such as your right to privacy, others are your responsibility.
     
  4. To be considered for federal financial aid programs, students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form each academic year. You can file as early as October 1st of the preceding year that you intend to enroll in classes. The priority deadline for filing the FAFSA each year is April 1. You do NOT need to file a FAFSA for merit- based aid to be renewed from year to year.
     
  5. Residents of New York State who wish to apply for NYS financial aid must complete a FAFSA, a NYS TAP Grant application, and any aid specific supplemental documents that are required by the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). 
     
  6. Summer term begins the financial aid year (unlike the academic year which ends with summer). Financial aid may be available for students enrolled during the summer term, just like fall and spring terms. To determine if you are eligible for federal financial aid for the summer term, students must complete the FAFSA for the upcoming school year. 
     

  7. Financial aid recipients must be admitted and pursuing courses leading to a degree. Students not enrolled full-time may not be eligible for all forms of financial aid. The following details credit hour requirements for each aid type:

    • Federal Direct Loans - students must be enrolled in at least six credit hours (half-time) of required coursework and/or in a part-time or full-time Co-op experience that is required for the completion of their degree.
    • Alternative Loans - credit hour requirement may vary between lenders
    • Certain federal, state, and institutional funds - some require full-time status or 12 credit hours
    • Students may be eligible for some federal grants while on coop or registered less than half-time.

      NOTE: Students enrolled less than half time will begin using the 6-month grace period for their Federal Direct Loans, after which loans will enter repayment.
       
  8. Financial aid recipients must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards.  SAP measures your semester GPA, cumulative GPA, and progress toward your degree. If you don’t meet all the requirements, you may become ineligible to receive federal aid programs like Pell Grant, Direct Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and Work-Study as well as institutional funding. If you lose eligibility for Federal Work- Study, you can still work under the RIT Campus Employment Program. If you have no interest in financial aid programs, then these requirements don’t apply to you.
     

  9. Financial aid offers are processed based on full-time attendance (12 or more credits per semester). Certain enrollment changes can affect your financial aid offer and potentially create a balance due on your student account. These changes include, but are not limited to changes in enrollment status, such as:

    • Adding/dropping classes after the add/drop period of a term
    • Adding/dropping a coop
    • Graduation or completion of degree requirements
    • Leave of absence

    • Withdrawing from a class or all classes

      Please complete the Change of Enrollment online form in eServices. After you login to eServices, click on Financial Aid & Scholarships on the left. In the drop-down select Useful Links, and then click on the Change Enrollment option. These changes may result in reevaluation of financial aid and the student may then become responsible for the balance of his/her bill.
       

  10. Merit based aid (if offered through the admissions process) is renewed for up to 8 semesters as long as the student is enrolled as a full-time student making academic progress toward their degree and meets all other eligibility requirements. Merit aid is not available to students while enrolled in co-op. NTID students enrolled in RIT Bachelor degree programs may qualify for RIT Merit Scholarships at a prorated amount based on reduced tuition rates.
     

  11. If a student withdraws or stops attending all of their courses in a semester and received federal financial aid as part of their aid offer, the student may not be eligible for the full amount of federal aid that the student was originally offered. If the student receives more assistance than the student earned based on the student’s last date of academic-related activity, the excess funds must be returned to the appropriate federal program. Go to Leave of Absence and Withdrawals for the complete Financial Aid Refund Policy.
     

  12. Students are responsible to notify the Office of the Registrar for any change to the following:

    • Address
    • Expected Graduation Term
    • Leave of Absence
    • Withdrawal
       
  13. If the student is receiving outside sources of financial assistance (not already included on your financial aid offer), including grants or scholarships from external organizations, employer-based tuition support, and/or vocational rehabilitation, log on to eServices and select the Financial Aid and Scholarships tab and then Report Other Aid. Complete the online form. If changes to your financial aid offer are necessary due to the receipt of the funding, we will send you a revised aid offer.
     
  14. The institution is required by federal regulations to review selected financial aid applications through a process called verification. If selected for verification, all required documents must be received by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships within 30 days of notification or your last date of attendance, whichever is earlier. Failure to do so may forfeit your eligibility to receive financial aid.
     
  15. The Office of Financial Aid reserves the right to request verification of any data submitted by students/spouses or parents. If the data is found to be incorrect, the data may require a correction to your FAFSA and your financial aid offer may be revised. If the student is determined ineligible for financial aid, the student’s aid can be withdrawn. The applicant will then be responsible for payment of all expenses incurred at RIT.
     
  16. Financial aid offers are based on information provided by the applicant and are subject to revisions and/or cancellation at any time if: federal or state regulations change; federal, state or institutional fund allocations change; estimated family contribution changes; the student receives a scholarship or outside aid, the student receives VA educational benefits, VR benefits, or an error is made in the calculation of a student's eligibility or award, whether by the Servicer or the institution.
     
  17. Financial aid offers are for an academic year with equal disbursements for each semester. If after the financial aid is disbursed, the student account is paid in full and a credit balance exists, Student Financial Services (SFS) will issue the credit balance to the student or parent for PLUS loans. If financial aid does not cover your bill, you will be responsible for the difference by the payment due date. Contact SFS to make payment arrangements or enroll in a payment plan.
     
  18. First-time Federal Direct Loan borrowers must accept their loan(s) on eServices, complete Entrance Counseling and Federal Direct Master Promissory Note (MPN). Loans will not be disbursed until the student has met these conditions. For more detailed information on the federal loan programs go to https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans.
     
  19. Students who are offered Federal Work Study (FWS) as part of their financial aid package have the opportunity to work on campus in a variety of jobs. Contact the Student Employment Office for next steps. RIT does not assign or place students into positions, regardless of their FWS status. Students are expected to find, apply, and interview for job openings on their own. Gain valuable job search and work experience before applying to co-op and career opportunities. Jobs openings are posted on Career Connect.
     
  20. A Federal Direct PLUS and/or Alternative (non-federal or private) loan cannot be credited to the student’s account until the borrower’s credit is approved and the loan is certified by the school. Visit our Scholarships and Other Aid page on our website for information and contact our office should you need any assistance before applying.
     
  21. Parent PLUS Loan funds listed in an undergraduate student’s aid offer are not automatically applicable to Co-op terms of enrollment.  However, if PLUS Loan funding is needed during a required Co-op experience, the parent PLUS Loan borrower would need to actively request in writing the loan amount needed while their student is on Co-op.   This request can be emailed to the RIT Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at ritaid@rit.edu.  The parent borrower’s request should come from the email address they used when completing their PLUS Loan Application and it should indicate the amount of PLUS Loan funds they would like their student to receive in the Co-op term.  Borrowers must always keep origination fees in mind when determining PLUS Loan totals and can use the PLUS Loan calculator to assist with this process.  The RIT Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships must ensure that the combination of PLUS Loan funds and all other aid the student is receiving does not exceed the student’s cost of attendance.  In situations where it does, the PLUS loan would be reduced by the overage.
     
  22. Alternative Educational Loans listed in an undergraduate student’s aid offer are not applicable to Co-op terms of enrollment and are cancelled for the Co-op term. However, if Alternative Educational Loan funding is needed to assist with living costs during a required Co-op experience, an exception may be possible. The borrower would request in writing the amount of loan funding needed while the student is on Co-op. This request should be made before the start of the Co-op term and emailed to the RIT Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships: ritaid@rit.edu
     
  23. The institution, state, and federal government are absolved of any and all responsibility for funding in the event that a grant and/or a loan or any other financial assistance is based upon fraudulent, inaccurate or misleading information.