Making your education affordable
There's nothing cookie-cutter about financial aid at Rider University. Whether you have significant or minimal need, our financial aid programs are highly personalized to your specific circumstances.
We also invest in your success through generous University-funded and need-based grants. Together, these funds help make Rider’s quality private education affordable and accessible for you.
Not a first-year student? Visit the scholarships page for opportunities for transfer and graduate students.
Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 First-year students
Financial Aid at Rider
We help you navigate the financial aid process.
99% of students receive Rider-funded scholarships and gift aid. When you apply to Rider, you’ll be assigned a personal financial aid counselor who will work with you throughout your studies at Rider. Your advisor will link you to the many federal, state, University-funded and private sources of financial assistance that are available.
Together, you’ll build a plan to finance not just your first year, but ALL four years of undergraduate study at Rider.
We provide convenient payment plans.
Our tuition payment plan is a simple and inexpensive way to divide your annual college costs into 10 interest-free monthly installments. A five-month plan is also available.
Are you planning to apply for need-based aid?
Rider uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). No other forms are required. Visit the Applying for Financial Aid section of Rider's Website for information about completing the FAFSA.
**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 for a major that requires an audition, auditions scheduled for an audition day after the stated deadline will not disqualify you from full scholarship consideration. Applicants for test-optional admission are given full consideration for academic scholarships.
To secure an award, you must submit your deposit on or before the deposit deadline (May 1 for the Fall Term & January 10 for the Spring Term).
Important Notes about Scholarships
- If you qualify for more than one Rider scholarship, you will receive the award of the greatest monetary value.
- All awards are made annually in the form of grants and scholarships.
- Academic scholarships are subject to change.
- Rider will consider the SAT or the ACT composite scores for scholarship eligibility. We do not consider the optional SAT or ACT essays for scholarship or admission.
- Your cumulative GPA through the seventh semester, December ACT, and December SAT will be the latest academic information considered for awards.
Maintaining Your Scholarship
Scholarships are renewable for up to four consecutive years of full-time study provided student remains in good academic standing with the University, which is determined by the Committee of Academic Standing within each academic college.