Costs keeping you away from higher education? NJ university wants to help

LAWRENCE (Mercer) — Roughly 78% percent of families last year removed a school from their list of choices based on its cost, according to a 2023 Sallie Mae/Ipsos national study.

But at Rider University, a new program aims to keep more cash in undergraduates’ pockets: Rider Tuition Guarantee. The fall 2025 semester will launch the savings effort.

The program is inactive during the winter and spring terms.

The enrollee doesn’t have to do extra steps — automatic consideration will happen when someone fills out the FAFSA by the school’s priority deadline.

Program duration, frequently asked questions and more can be found here.

Program requirements

• Be from New Jersey
• 3.5 or higher GPA
• Household adjusted gross income being $50,000 or less
• Receive both full Tuition Aid Grants (TAG) and Pell Grants

What’s not covered

• books
• school fee
• technology fee
• student fee
• room and board