Financial Aid

U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for student loans, which are the primary funding source for graduate students. They must be registered for at least five credits during a semester (i.e., half time) to be eligible for any kind of student loan. See "Loan Information for Graduate Students" below for additional information. International students should refer to International Applicants, Special Information for information on financial aid for which they might be eligible.

Other sources of graduate financial aid include:

• Federal Work-Study, a federally supported employment program in which students normally work 10-15 hours per week at a pay rate of $5.25 to $7.25 per hour
• Graduate Assistantships
• Saul and Adelaide Goldfarb Graduate Scholarships
• EOF Graduate Grants, which are funded by the State of New Jersey to assist students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds (student must contact the MSU/EOF Office at (973) 655-4385)
• Federal Veterans' Benefits program, information on which can be obtained in the Financial Aid Office

Application Process and Deadlines

To apply for graduate financial aid, graduate students must file a current Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students entering Montclair State University in the fall semester must file their FAFSA on or before March 1st.  Students entering Montclair State University in the spring semester must file their FAFSA on or before October 1st . The FAFSA may be filed online through our website  or obtained by calling the Financial Aid Office at (973) 655-4461. The Title IV School Code for Montclair State University is 002617.

A graduate student's eligibility for financial aid will be based on the results of the FAFSA, the program and credits for which the student is enrolled, and whether the student meets the criteria for any special assistance (e.g. Veterans or EOF).  Please refer to the Loan Information Chart, Estimated Costs and Financial Aid Contact list on the following pages for additional information. Graduate students will receive written notification of their eligibility or an award letter from the Financial Aid Office.

For more information or assistance in completing the financial aid application materials, please contact one of the Financial Aid Counselors in the Financial Aid office.

Students applying for graduate assistantships or student assistant positions will need a United States Social Security number which can be requested from a local United States Social Security office with documentation provided by the Office of International Services (OIS).  An application for a graduate assistantship is available on this website.  Employment on campus is extremely limited and must be approved by the Office of International Services.  Hiring decisions are based on departmental needs. A limited number of international students who demonstrate financial need may also be eligible for an International Student Tuition Waiver after they have successfully completed one full semester at Montclair State University.  Contact the OIS for an application, eligibility criteria, and deadline information during your first semester of matriculation.

Note: Full-time graduate students take at least nine credits per semester, part-time students take at least five credits per semester.

Financial Aid ContactInformation

Internet Financial Aid Resources