Admissions
Tuition & Scholarships
Financial Aid
All students who apply to Mason Gross School of the Arts and complete a talent assessment (audition/interview/portfolio) are automatically considered for merit scholarship, with no further action or paperwork required. In addition, to apply for support outside of the Mason Gross School, we encourage all U.S. students to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The Rutgers University Office of Financial Aid uses the FAFSA to develop a financial aid package based on students’ qualifications, financial need, and the funds available to the university. The FAFSA priority deadlines are December 1 (first-year applicants) and February 1 (transfer and graduate applicants).
Undergraduate Tuition, Fees, & Scholarships
For the most current estimates, visit the Rutgers Student Cost of Attendance page.
Undergraduate Scholarship Information
All undergraduate applicants will be reviewed for scholarships after admissions decisions have been processed. Only applicants who have been assigned an award will be notified of their award. Notifications are posted after the initial admissions decision, typically in early April.
The average Mason Gross undergraduate scholarship ranges between $2,000 and $10,000 per year.
Note: Each school within Rutgers University has its own criteria for merit scholarships. If a student is admitted to multiple schools within Rutgers University, the student will receive only the award affiliated with the school in which they enroll. A student can only enroll in only one Rutgers University unit, so scholarships from different schools cannot be combined even if the student intends to double major.
Merit-based scholarships for newly admitted students to Mason Gross are typically non-negotiable. However, formal letters of appeal may be submitted to the Mason Gross director of admissions via email to be reviewed by the Mason Gross scholarship committee if funds become available. Appeals will not be considered without a formal written request (phone conversations will not be considered requests).
Mason Gross School Fee
In addition to the tuition and fees listed at the link above, Mason Gross School of the Arts students should also expect a school fee. The fee is in place to cover the cost of small class sizes, individualized instruction and specialized equipment/facilities used at Mason Gross School of the Arts. The cost per semester for the 2022-2023 year is listed below by major:
- Art & Design: $518
- Dance: $518
- Filmmaking: $518
- Music: $518
- Theater: Acting: $2,500
- Theater: Design: $1,500
- Theater: Production: $518
Graduate Tuition, Fees, & Scholarships
For the most current estimates, visit the Rutgers Student Cost of Attendance page. Below are the tuition costs for the 2022-2023 academic year.
MFA, MM, DMA, AD
New Jersey Resident Tuition: $843 per credit
Out-of-State Resident Tuition: $1,334 per credit
EdM, MA, PhD
New Jersey Resident Tuition: $779 per credit
Out-of-State Resident Tuition: $1,325 per credit
Graduate Scholarship Information
Graduate awards and fellowships vary greatly depending on the department and area of study. All students who submit a complete application to Mason Gross are automatically considered for talent or artistic merit-based scholarships.
Art & Design
MFA Design
Every MFA in design student receives a partial scholarship from Mason Gross School of the Arts, for each year of study. Each student is also offered optional part-time employment in Co-Adjutant positions that support the operation of the undergraduate and graduate design area. Additionally, there are select opportunities for teaching as a Part-Time Lecturer. These paid positions are not guaranteed, as they depend on enrollment, scheduling, and expertise.
MFA Visual Arts
All accepted MFA Visual Arts students receive fellowships equivalent to the cost of tuition for the two years of the program. Incoming MFA Visual Arts students are awarded fellowships equivalent to full out-of-state tuition in their first year and full in-state tuition in their second year. (International students continue to receive out-of-state tuition in their second year). No additional applications or requirements are necessary to qualify for the fellowships. With the fellowships comes the expectation that graduate students will fully participate in the Art & Design Department community during their time at Mason Gross. Students are responsible for covering all additional university fees including health insurance, campus fees, housing, and materials. Students may apply for additional financial support through a host of department jobs. The Department of Art & Design also offers a range of paid co-adjunct positions which students may apply for each semester.
Dance
All graduate applicants will be reviewed for available scholarships after admissions decisions have been processed. Notifications are posted after the initial admissions decision, typically in early April. Only applicants who have been assigned an award will be notified of their award.
Music
All graduate applicants will be reviewed for available scholarships after admissions decisions have been processed. Notifications are posted after the initial admissions decision, typically in early April. Only applicants who have been assigned an award will be notified of their award.
External Scholarships
Many graduate students at the university receive fellowships funded by sources outside of the university. Students are encouraged to apply for externally funded fellowships and scholarships as early as possible. Visit GradFund for more information.