Early Decision
Act Sooner. Know Earlier.
If RIT is your 1st choice university, apply Early Decision to bring some certainty to your plans.
Early Decision Application Deadlines
Early Decision I
- Application Deadline
-
November 1
- RIT Financial Aid Application Recommended Filing Date
(Application opens October 1) -
November 1
- Decision Notification
-
Mid-December
- FAFSA Recommended Filing Date
(Application opens December 1) -
January 15
- Deposit Deadline
-
January 15
Early Decision II
- Application Deadline
-
January 1
- RIT Financial Aid Application Recommended Filing Date
(Application opens October 1) -
January 1
- FAFSA Recommended Filing Date
(Application opens December 1) -
January 15
- Decision Notification
-
Mid-January
- Deposit Deadline
-
February 15
9 Reasons to Apply Early Decision
- It shows RIT you’re serious about joining our community
- You’ll stand out in a smaller applicant pool
- There’s no financial risk – you’ll review your scholarship and financial aid assessment before making a final decision
- It’s advantageous for students interested in highly competitive majors such as Computing, Engineering, Game Design, Physician Assistant, and Film and Animation
- You’ll receive earlier notification about eligibility for exclusive opportunities including Honors Program, Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees, Performing Arts Scholars, ArtEx, and more
- You’ll receive priority selection for campus housing
- Get exclusive events invites – there’s a VIP event just for Early Decision accepted students
- Receive your accepted student swag early and show your Tiger pride
- You’ll be in good company – each year, about one-third of our entering class trusts and commits to RIT through Early Decision
Receiving an Aid Assessment
The 2025-26 FAFSA is not available until December 1. Due to this delay, the RIT Financial Aid Application will need to be completed for Early Decision students seeking need-based aid.
- You’re automatically considered for merit-based aid.
Admitted Early Decision applicants will automatically be reviewed for merit-based scholarships. Those who file an RIT Financial Aid Application will also be reviewed for need-based financial aid before the enrollment deposit deadline. -
Early Decision applicants interested in need-based funding from RIT can receive a financial aid assessment before submitting their enrollment deposit.
To receive a financial aid assessment, applicants are required to submit RIT’s Financial Aid Application by November 1 for Early Decision I applicants and by January 1 for Early Decision II applicants. Early Decision students will receive their financial aid assessment shortly after if they are admitted and the application is received. RIT’s Financial Aid Application is available in the admissions portal for those who have completed their application.
When the 2025-26 FAFSA opens on December 1, Early Decision students will have until January 15 to complete the FAFSA and receive a confirmed financial aid offer. In most cases if the information on the FAFSA and the RIT Financial Aid Application is similar, aid eligibility will remain the same. In exceptional cases where the information is not similar, differences will be indicated.
Complete the RIT Financial Aid Application
Log into your admissions portal
Your family is encouraged to work with your assigned Financial Aid Counselor to assist you through the financial aid process. If you and your family determine that RIT is not an affordable choice, you should contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office so you may be released from the Early Decision plan.