Important Notice Regarding Rider’s Enrollment Deadline
In light of the challenges presented by the FAFSA delays, Rider University has extended the deposit deadline to June 1 for non B.F.A. majors.* Students who visit campus three times and commit to enroll before June 1 qualify for free textbooks! Students who applied and are eligible to receive early action benefits will still receive those benefits as long as they deposit by their appropriate deadline (May 1, May 15 or June 1).
Enrollment deposits for B.F.A. majors will only be accepted through May 15, 2024. Students interested in enrolling at Rider for a B.F.A. major after the May 15 deadline can elect to be placed on an enrollment waitlist and will be considered for the program to which they were admitted on a space available basis.
*Please note that this extension does not apply to B.F.A. (Acting for Film, Television and Theatre, B.F.A. or Musical Theatre, B.F.A.) students or anyone receiving a full-tuition, academic scholarship including, Trustee, voice, organ or Capital Health.
Be An Early Action Applicant
If Rider University is among your top college choices, take advantage of our Early Action Admission program for a Fall 2024 start. View requirements and deadlines
Apply by November 15!*
Common Application
Rider is a Common App school.
Applicants to audition or interview-based programs (including the B.F.A. Acting for Film, Television, and Theatre & B.F.A. Musical Theatre) are eligible for Early Action benefits and may apply for the Trustee Scholarship, provided they apply for admission by November 15 and attend an audition in December.
Benefits of applying by November 15
- Peace of Mind: Take the stress out of senior year: get your Rider admission decision by December 20! Because Rider Early Action Admission is non-binding, you have until May 1 to accept.
- Priority Scholarship Consideration: You’ll automatically be considered for Rider’s merit-based scholarships and receive your award with your admission decision.
- Early Action Financial Aid Offer: If you are admitted to Rider as an Early Action applicant and submit the FAFSA before February 1, you will receive a priority Financial Aid Offer, detailing all forms of federal, state, and Rider aid for which you qualify, as soon as your FAFSA data is available to the University. Please note, the 2024–25 FAFSA form will be available starting in December 2023.
- Free Parking: We'll waive only your first year parking fee ($250)!
- Priority Course Scheduling in Your First Semester: Students who complete the necessary requirements receive first priority in course scheduling for the Fall 2024 semester.
Application Deadlines
Rider practices rolling admissions. Once your application is complete, you will be notified of your decision. Applications completed after the stated deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.
Fall 2024 Semester - September Start Deadlines
*Early Action is offered to students applying to audition-based programs. Early Action benefits are available to students applying to audition-based programs who are admitted and enroll by May 1. NOTE, applicants to the B.F.A. Musical Theatre and B.F.A. Acting for Film, Television, and Theatre will not receive their admission nor merit-based scholarship by December 20.
**To be considered for the maximum amount of scholarships for which you are eligible, your application must be complete, including all required credentials. If you are applying to a major that requires an audition, auditions scheduled for an audition day after January 15 will not disqualify you from maximum scholarship consideration.