Various financial support and graduate award options are available to NJIT graduate students. Financial support comes from either NJIT internal funds or from external sources. Information on need-based support is detailed on the office of Financial Aid Services Web site. Eligibility and selection criteria are summarized in the following table for both need-based and merit-based support. Funds for these are not guaranteed.

Type of Support	Contact	Who is Eligible
Federal Loans	Financial Aid 973-596-3479	US citizens, permanent residents; students enrolled at least half time, based on financial need; must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Private Loans	Financial Aid 973-596-3479	US citizens, permanent and non-resident students enrolled at 3 credits; need is not a factor and filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is not a requirement.
Industry Co-op	Career Development Services 973-596-3100	Full-time students, based on position availability; master's students; doctoral students only by exception with approval by the dean of graduate studies
Work-study	Financial Aid 973-596-3479	US citizens, permanent residents, international students, full-time and part-time students, based on position availability.
Scholarships, Fellowships, Grants	Graduate Studies 973-596-3462	Based on funding source, full-time students, often supporting under-represented groups.
Assistantships	Graduate Studies 973-596-3462	Full-time, based on academic merit or priorities and on funds available.

Close to 400 teaching, research and graduate assistantships, based on academic merit, are awarded to qualified full-time students.

Prospective students can apply for financial support by using the Application for Admission to Graduate Study. Prospective students seeking financial support are urged to apply no later than January 15th for the fall semester of the following academic year and October 15th for the spring semester of the current academic year. Applications received after these dates may be placed on a waiting list.

Prospective students seeking financial support should indicate their interest on the admissions application form. Continuing students seeking need-based support should contact the Office of Financial Aid.  Continuing students seeking merit-based financial support should contact the Office of Graduate Studies.  GRE and GMAT scores as required  for admission to graduate study at NJIT are acceptable for consideration of applications for merit-based support.  It is noted that Master's students whose last degree was from an institution within the United States are not required to supply GRE or GMAT scores as a general university requirement for admission and need not additionally supply these for financial support consideration unless specifically requested by the program or funding source. However, specific Master's programs within NJIT may require GRE or GMAT scores for admission consideration to the specific program.  All Master's program applicants whose last degree was from an institution outside of the United States and all PhD program applicants are required to provide GRE or GMAT scores as a requirement of the admissions process.

Competition for financial support is strong and only successful applicants are notified. Teaching, research, and graduate assistantship offers may include full or partial tuition, a stipend or both. Additional funds for the summer may be awarded.

Assistantships
Each year there are more than 400 teaching and research assistantships in academic and research departments, which are funded internally or externally. Teaching assistants conduct recitation, discussion, laboratory, or other sections of elementary or intermediate undergraduate-level courses, under supervision of permanent faculty. These duties are considered part-time work and typically include six to nine class contact hours per week. Research assistants conduct research under the supervision of NJIT faculty. Non-academic departments also sometimes employ students as graduate assistants. Duties range from academic support to day-to-day operation of administrative offices.

Presidential Fellows
A limited number of fellowships with $24,000 stipends ($2,000 per month) are offered to outstanding doctoral students.  Funding for room and board, research activities, supplies, travel, and other supplemental needs can supplement the stipend. Full tuition and fee support is provided.

Provost Fellows
A Provost Fellowship provides a $2,000 tuition award each semester to qualified students at the time of admission to full-time study toward a Master’s degree; students who are already admitted are not eligible.  To be considered for a fellowship, applicants must meet the following criteria: completion of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; achievement of an undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (or its equivalent); and submission of official GRE or GMAT results.

A Provost Fellowship is sustainable for a maximum of three consecutive semesters of full-time study (four semesters for students enrolled in the MBA program; six semesters for students enrolled in the Master of Architecture program) in a student’s initial Master’s program at NJIT.  Students receiving a fellowship must maintain a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.25 or better, and make satisfactory progress toward the Master’s degree during enrollment at NJIT.  Academic records will be reviewed at the conclusion of each semester to determine a student’s eligibility for the subsequent semester.   Students who wish to pursue a second master’s degree at NJIT and applicants for doctoral study are not eligible for this award.

The Office of Graduate Admissions will review all admitted students who satisfy the criteria.  Recipients will be notified in writing.  No special application is required.

Grader
A grader is appointed for part-time service and grades course work under the direction and supervision of a faculty member. Graders may either be hired on an hourly basis through the Office of Student Employment, or through the Office of Graduate Studies. Compensation is based on hourly rates established for this position.

Special Awards
Special awards for service may be established each year. Students should contact the Office of Graduate Studies for further information.

Non-Service Fellowships or Scholarships
Private, state, federal or foundation awards that do not require service to NJIT may supplement service-based awards.

Unemployed or Displaced Workers
Students receiving tuition support because of an unemployed or displaced worker's program are alerted to potential loss of this form of support because of any salary or stipend that may be received for any form of on-campus or off-campus employment.

Stipend Support Levels

Teaching/Research Assistant (not supported by grants):

Master's students	$ 9,000	9 months at $1,000/month
Doctoral students	$ 18,000	9 months at $2,000/month

Stipend support levels are re-evaluated each year and the levels reported above are minimum values for 20 hours per week of service for 9 months over the fall and spring semesters.

Research Assistants (on external funds from grants)

Doctoral Students

$26,000 (12 months)

Partial awards are possible for all categories of awards. Award periods are scheduled for two consecutive 4 and ½ month periods for 9 month awards and any following summer periods

Maximum Annual Support
While NJIT does allow multiple sources of support for individual students, there is an annual limit established each year for the maximum amount of support that an individual student may receive from all sources.  The limit is established at a reasonably high and competitive level in comparison to reported maxima provided by a number of federal support programs.  Students who are receiving support from outside NJIT must report this to their graduate program advisor and to the Graduate Studies Office to assure their not exceeding NJIT limits.  Total support that would be in excess of the NJIT limit may require an adjustment in the support provided by NJIT sources.  Excess support can also negatively impact need-based support arrangements.

Summer Support
Depending on availability of funds, students may be eligible for stipends and tuition support for June, July and August. NJIT has two summer award periods, the first covering late May and June, the second covering July and most of August. The split of summer award periods is based on the combination of the semester-based academic calendar used at NJIT and the changeover to a new fiscal year on July 1. Interested students should consult their faculty advisors in March or April.

International Students
Private loans are available through the Office of Financial Aid. These loans require a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien.

International students may not receive NJIT support or be employed on-campus during periods of practical training. International students must be in status with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). International students are eligible only for merit-based NJIT financial support and not for need-based state or federal finds.

USCIS regulations require that international students attest to having funds sufficient to cover the expense of the entire course of study before they will grant a visa. Students are expected to demonstrate the availability of funds for the duration of studies at NJIT as a requirement for admission to the university.

Minority Academic Career Program (MAC)

The MAC program supports doctoral students interested in faculty positions in New Jersey. Contact the Office of Graduate Studies for information on this and other state programs.

NSF and NRC Programs
The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Research Council (NRC) support doctoral stipends and tuition. Application deadlines for these programs are one year in advance of anticipated study, usually in early fall. Contact the Office of Graduate Studies for information on these and other federal programs.  NJIT participates in regional consortia for the Bridges to the Doctorate and Alliance for Graduate Education for the Professorate supported by the NSF.

GEM
The National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science, Inc. supports graduate students within an industry and academe-based consortia. Contact the Office of Graduate Studies for information on this and other industry programs.

Federal Direct and Perkins Loans, and Work-Study Programs
US citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for federal loans through the William D. Ford Federal Direct and Federal Perkins Loan programs and for federal work-study. Applicants for these programs must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with the Federal Student Aid Programs Processing Center. The amount of graduate tuition remission a student receives is considered when determining eligibility for loans and work-study. Before loans are disbursed, students must sign a promissory note and complete entrance counseling. The FAFSA is available at www.fafsa.gov.

For further information, contact the Office of Financial Aid, (973) 596-3479.

Award Selection
All NJIT awards are merit-based and are offered only to academically superior students who meet all selection requirements. Many things are considered in evaluating applications and nominations for NJIT awards. Among these are GPAs, GRE and GMAT scores, undergraduate and graduate academic performance, educational preparation, TOEFL scores for international students, skill and talent required for available positions, institutional priorities, availability of funds, special skills, and prior experience.

Students must take the GRE or GMAT and arrange to have official score reports to be sent to NJIT before they may become eligible to receive awards. Although there is no minimum eligibility score for the GRE or GMAT, NJIT may establish them for certain awards. For instance, GRE mathematical scores between 700 and 800 are typical of NJIT award recipients.

Graduate students who have not already received awards or had not been offered an award on admission must attain a minimum GPA of 3.5 for first-time support from internal funds and 3.0 for first-time support from external funds. Any graduate or undergraduate course taken by a student in graduate studies at NJIT is counted in the GPA (as calculated by the Office of Graduate Studies) for evaluating selection criteria, including courses that were repeated or excluded. GPAs are checked at the beginning of each support period to verify that awards are warranted. GPAs only establish eligibility and neither guarantee nor entitle students to receive financial support.

The Office of Graduate Studies evaluates criteria for support from internal funds each year. The criteria reflect both average grade point performance levels and availability of funds. A student who has received support from NJIT funds for one degree cannot receive NJIT support for another degree of the same or lower level or type. Criteria and full details of terms and conditions of awards are available from the Office of Graduate Studies.

Need-based support programs administered by the Office of Financial Aid and by the Office of Student Employment have different criteria for selection. These offices should be consulted for further information. Funds distributed for hourly employment through the Office of Student Employment are not considered awards. The Provost Fellowship program for applicants to master's program is coordinated by the office of Graduate Admissions.

Service-Based Awards
A service-based award is one in which the student is required to perform a service in return for a stipend. The following awards are service-based: graduate assistants, teaching assistants, research assistants, presidential fellows, teaching fellows, graders, and others as noted.

Terms and Conditions
By accepting an award, students agree to comply with the following terms and conditions unless exceptions are indicated in their award offer letter:

• Students are required to work, up to a maximum of 20 hours per week, for Fall and Spring semetser awards. Students are therefore required to work during semester breaks, either for their supervisor or, with the consent of the supervisor, on their own research.
• Students not receiving the maximum award for their award category and degree status are required to work a prorated number of hours (less than 20) based on a comparison of their award to the stipend level allowed for that award. A maximum of 35 hours per week, with appropriate increase in support level, may be permitted for service during the two summer award periods.
• Full-time registration in one of NJIT's graduate degree programs must be maintained at all times throughout the period of an award. Full-time status is accorded to those who complete at least 9 credits per semester, or to those who are certified by the Office of Graduate Studies or designated as full-time students. Students should review "Refunds for Withdrawal" and "Enrollment Status" in the Tuition and Fees section and the Academic Policies and Procedures section respectively in this catalog to be assured that they are following full-time certification requirements.
• Students who initially register for a full-time load but withdraw during a semester and thus become part-time cannot receive tuition remission for that semester and may have their tuition award terminated and stipend award curtailed.
• No other work for compensation, whether on- or off-campus, may be undertaken during the period of the award unless approved by the dean of graduate studies. Students who do not comply with this requirement may be prohibited from receiving future support and have their current award terminated.
• Unsatisfactory performance, inadequate academic progress, or violation of any of the terms and conditions shall constitute grounds for the immediate cancellation of an award.
• Award offers must be accepted in writing, on an appropriate form, and must be received by the date indicated in the award offer.
• Students who resign, or are dismissed from an appointment during a semester, must repay any tuition remitted for that semester.
• Students must report to their supervisor no later than the first day of each semester. Students who fail to do so will be deemed to have resigned and will have their award cancelled.
• Appointments are made for the period specified in the award offer. Neither renewal nor summer support can be guaranteed.
• Support based on external grant, contract, scholarship or fellowship awards are subject to the limitations established by the external agency.
• Students may not receive an award from NJIT funds to pursue a second master's degree or second doctoral degree when the first degree has been earned at NJIT.
• Students who change to a master's degree program from a doctoral program will have the current award cancelled and no future awards will be permitted. Students who register in courses inappropriate to their program of record or unapproved by their advisor will have the award immediately terminated.
• All doctoral students and students on support are required each semester to attend the seminar course offered by their program unless a specific waiver for sound academic reasons has been granted by the dean of graduate studies. Waivers for doctoral students to allow off-campus employment through precompletion practical training authorization or to accept a cooperative education work assignment will generally not be approved.
• Teaching assistants are required to register for ENG 599: University Teaching Methods / Communication Skills in their first semester.

Tuition Remission Awards
Tuition support has no service condition associated with it. Students accepting this support must not leave the program for which the support is offered without the approval of the support sponsor and the dean of graduate studies. Approval will be granted only for sound academic or other compelling reasons. Departure to accept employment is not considered a valid reason. All tuition support provided will be re-billed to the student if this condition is violated.

Cancellation of Tuition Remission
NJIT reserves the right to cancel tuition remission awards when students do not meet requirements or violate the conditions of an award. NJIT also reserves the right to cancel tuition remission for ineligible courses or courses for which the grades of F, U, W, or I are received. Audited courses, courses outside the approved courses for the program, and excess courses not needed for program completion are ineligible for tuition remission. If tuition remission is cancelled, students are re-billed accordingly and are responsible for payment in full.

Sick Leave
Students receiving awards are entitled to a total of three paid days of sick leave during the academic year. Additional days of sick leave may result in the cancellation of an award or a reduction in a stipend.

Unsatisfactory Performance
A student's performance is considered unsatisfactory if it does not meet the criteria set by the award supervisor.

Criteria for Maintaining Award
Students must earn at least a 3.0 GPA each semester, as well as maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to keep receiving their awards. A 3.0 GPA will also maintain awards that initially required higher GPAs to receive them. Any graduate or undergraduate course taken by a graduate student is counted in the GPA for evaluating maintenance of awards and even includes courses that were repeated or excluded. Except for the specified period of the award offer, these criteria neither guarantee nor entitle students to receive continued financial support. Departments may set higher but reasonable standards (typically 3.5 or above cumulative GPA) for continuation of awards.

Effect of Incomplete Grades and Grade Changes
Students whose transcripts show incomplete (I) grades in the semester before being selected or becoming eligible for an award must resolve them within the four weeks after grades are posted. This also applies to changes in grades that would affect eligibility.

Extension of the deadline to beyond the fourth week of the semester will be considered if the student and the instructor provide written justification. Otherwise, any award offer for that semester will be withdrawn and tuition remission cancelled. Students will be billed for tuition accordingly and will be responsible for payment in full.

Award Duration and Renewal
Student eligibility for awards is evaluated each semester, as is renewal of award offers. Each award has unique eligibility, funding, duration and renewal circumstances. Students are responsible for understanding and following the terms and conditions of the particular award offer made to them. The Office of Graduate Studies should be consulted to determine individual terms and conditions. Award duration is based on calendar time, not on whether awards are full or partial.

• Students enrolled in master of science or masters of arts programs may not receive NJIT-funded, full or partial, assistantship or fellowship support for more than one academic year except in the cases listed below for B.S./M.S. students, and for U.S. nationals and permanent residents who are members of underrepresented groups. The academic year is defined as two semesters and one summer. The summer includes two award periods. The Provost Fellowship, as described earlier, is sustainable for a longer period of time.
• Students enrolled in doctoral degree programs may not receive NJIT-funded, full or partial, assistantship or fellowship support for more than four academic years. This is defined as eight semesters and four summers.
• Students enrolled in the 97-credit Master of Architecture program may not receive NJIT-funded, full or partial assistantship or fellowship support for more than three academic years. Three academic years are defined as six semesters and three summers.
• Students enrolled in the Master in Infrastructure Planning program are considered as master of science students for award duration.
• Full-time master's students in the B.S./M.S. program are eligible to receive three semesters and one summer of financial support from internal funds.
• U.S. nationals and permanent residents enrolled in master of science programs who are members of underrepresented groups are eligible for three semesters and one summer of financial support from internal funds.
• Doctoral students who fail their qualifying examinations may not receive further awards from NJIT funds until they pass. Departments may request a review and continuation of their financial support status if they pass some but not all parts of qualifying examinations.
• When eligibility for NJIT-funded awards is completed, students may receive additional support from external sources. Check with the Office of Graduate Studies to obtain further details.
• Master's students are eligible to receive awards for a maximum of four semesters and two summers from all sources. This does not apply to students in the Master of Architecture program. Doctoral students are eligible to receive awards for a maximum of 10 semesters and 5 summers from all sources.
• No student may receive support for more than 12 semesters and 6 summers from any combination of sources or for any number of degrees.
• The university expects that students receiving NJIT-funded support move off that type of support to external source support no later than two years after the initiation of NJIT-funded support.

Resignations
Students who wish to resign from an award should inform their advisor and the dean of graduate studies at least one calendar month before the resignation is to take effect.

Students who resign during a semester will not be eligible for tuition remission for that semester. The semester in which the resignation is received is counted as a supported semester when determining award renewals.

Taxation of Stipends and Awards
The Internal Revenue Service requires that stipends and awards be taxed at the source, even if students are eligible for a tax refund. All students are exempt from Social Security taxes. Tuition and fee remissions are not subject to tax withholding.

Students should contact the Finance Office and the Office of Graduate Studies for tax information and information about exemption from Social Security taxes. International students should contact the Finance Office and the Office of International Students and Faculty for information on tax treaties.

Tuition Remission Processing
All students receive bills for tuition. The bill statements for students receiving tuition remission and fees, if applicable, are marked "Possible Tuition Remission." After expiration of the official withdrawal period, a credit for the tuition and fees should appear on the statement.

Students who pay tuition bills in full and then receive tuition remission can expect to receive a refund after expiration of the withdrawal period. Students receiving only partial tuition and fee awards are responsible for payment of the remaining tuition and fees and should pay these promptly. In particular, full-time students should ensure that they have continuous health insurance coverage by payment of appropriate fees.

Students who fail to pay their bills by the due date specified by the Bursar will have their registrations cancelled. Reinstatement is usually very difficult and often unlikely.

Credit Limitation
Awards do not cover tuition for courses that are not part of a student's degree program or courses not approved by their advisor. Students are responsible for payment for these courses.

Tuition remission is allowed for courses taken at other institutions in which there is a cross-registration agreement with NJIT. These courses must be part of the student's degree program and approved by the student's advisor.

A flat rate exists for a range of credits representative of full-time registration. Any credits over that range will not be included in tuition remission awards. Students will be billed for credits in excess of their awards.

Graduate students have the opportunity to work off-campus while studying full-time through the cooperative education program administered by the Office of Career Development Services (CDS).  Policies on eligibility, application for participation, procedures, and required regular and co-op course registrations are defined in a detailed statement developed by the Graduate Studies Office (GSO), CDS, and the Office of International Students and Faculty (ISO).  This opportunity is especially valuable for international students, pursuing the Master's degree, and for some PhD students lacking other forms of support.  CDS should be contacted by students interested in this option.  Each year, a large number of international graduate students are involved in cooperative education under Curricular Practical Training.  Students pursuing this option are required to be registered in specifically numbered graduate courses for co-op as defined in each program's course listing.