All undergraduate students seeking admission are automatically considered for Rensselaer merit based awards. No separate application is required.

New students seeking admission for the 2013-2014 academic year who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens interested in federal and/or Rensselaer need-based financial aid are required to complete the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile application and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Early Decision students should file the CSS Profile Application by November 1, 2012. The FAFSA application should be filed by February 1, 2013.

	Student Guide to Financial Aid - Incoming Undergraduate (PDF)

CSS College Code: 2757
FAFSA College Code: 002803
New York State TAP College Code: 0635

Do not wait until you have been accepted to Rensselaer to apply for financial aid! Once you have been invited to attend Rensselaer and we have received your financial aid information we will send you an award letter.

Typically, once you have been accepted and we have your FAFSA and Profile applications, it takes about two weeks to provide you with an award letter. If you have no interest in applying for need based financial aid, and you are eligible for merit-based awards only, you will receive your award notification shortly after your offer of admission to Rensselaer.

Merit Awards

Rensselaer’s most prominent awards provided without regard to financial need are:

Rensselaer Leadership Award

Given in recognition of an outstanding record of academic and personal achievements, a strong commitment to excellence, and illustration of intellectual curiosity. Award amounts vary.

Rensselaer Medal Award

Awarded to promising secondary school juniors who have distinguished themselves in mathematics and science. Responsibility for selecting the Medalist belongs to the faculty and staff within the participating secondary school. The minimum award is $15,000 per academic year.

In addition there are a number of special endowed scholarships for admitted students.

Should a student be eligible for multiple Rensselaer merit scholarships, we will award the highest merit award for which the student is qualified. We do not combine multiple awards. Total Rensselaer provided scholarships and/or tuition benefits may not exceed tuition.