How Financial Aid Works

There are four primary sources and types of aid.

As part of your acceptance to RIT, you will receive a financial aid offer letter that lists all of the aid you’ve been offered. You can choose how much aid you’d like to accept once you’ve enrolled.

Contact us if you have questions or need help

Sources of Aid


RIT Aid
Money awarded to you directly by RIT, based on merit or need. Your application for admission will serve as your application for most RIT Aid.


Federal Aid
Money awarded to you through the Federal Government. To apply for federal aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA.


State Aid
Money awarded to you by the state in which you are a resident. The application process and State Aid opportunities available vary from state-to-state.


Outside Aid Sources
Additional aid may be available to you through Outside Sources. These may include scholarships from outside organizations and/or loans through banks and other private institutions.

There are delays from the U.S. Department of Education in distributing FAFSA data to colleges. RIT is providing a way for certain first-year and transfer applicants to receive a financial aid estimate in time for students to make their college decisions. Learn more about RIT's Financial Aid Application

Types of Aid


Scholarships
Merit-based aid that you do not have to repay. It is awarded based on your academic and/or extracurricular performance.

You may be awarded scholarships through RIT, Federal Aid, State Aid, and/or Outside Sources.


Grants
Need-based aid that you do not have to repay. It is awarded based on your Student Aid Index (SAI) determined by the results of your FAFSA.

You may be awarded grants through RIT, Federal Aid, and/or State Aid.


Loans
Aid to assist financing your education that you will pay back over time after you leave school. You do not have to accept the full amount of loans offered.

You may be offered loans through Federal Aid and/or Outside Sources.


Student Employment
Money for personal expenses that you earn by working as a student employee. This may be Federal Work Study (determined by your FAFSA), RIT Employment for Undergraduate Students, or Assistantship for Graduate Students.

You may be awarded Student Employment through RIT or Federal Aid.

portrait photo of a student standing in front of a glass buildings wearing a pink vest

When I was a senior in high school, I had one main priority in my college decision process: come out of school debt-free. RIT has helped make that goal a reality. The amazing financial aid package that I received was the deciding factor for me to attend RIT. My financial aid officers have continued to advocate for me and help make my education affordable.

- Emma W.
Advertising and Public Relations Major

Graduate Aid

There are multiple funding sources that can help make an RIT graduate degree possible. From scholarships to loans to co-op wages – a combination of sources can be used to fund your graduate degree.

Learn about sources of funding

Contact Us

If you have questions at any point in the process, we’re here to help.


Chat
For general questions about the financial aid process, we recommend our live chat.


Email
For general questions about your specific situation, we recommend that you email ritaid@rit.edu.


Call
For detailed questions about your specific situation, we recommend that you call 585-475-2186.

Contacting our office by phone or email allows us to answer specific questions related to a student as long as we are able to affirm the student and the individual requesting information to protect privacy and confidentiality. Live chat is reserved only for general non-student specific information.

Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships

Bausch and Lomb Center
56 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, NY 14623-5604

Directions to Admissions and Aid

Financial Aid Counseling Team

Consumer Information

Secure Document Upload

Office Hours

8:30am - 4:30pm
Monday - Friday

ritaid@rit.edu
p. 585-475-2186

f. 585-475-7270

RIT Graduate Scholarships and Assistantships are awarded by academic programs. Students who qualify for a full RIT tuition waiver or full reimbursement from an employer or an outside agency are not eligible for an RIT Graduate Scholarship.

Contact your graduate program coordinator to discuss opportunities