Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Using State Grants at RPI

If you are a New York State resident considering RPI, be sure to investigate the TAP program. If you are attending a qualifying program and meet financial need requirements, you may receive thousands of dollars per year to put towards your education. Additionally, if you apply to a CUNY or SUNY school, you could be eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship, which would make your education tuition-free.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Financial Aid

Students who are applying for financial aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.

The FAFSA code for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 002803.

If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.

Pell Grants at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

18% of students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

Outside Scholarships

RPI students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:

• Top scholarships for high school seniors
• Top scholarships for college students
• Scholarship database

Coalition Colleges

RPI is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to RPI via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.

Does RPI have a supplemental essay?

Yes, applicants to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute will have to write a supplemental essay in order to complete their application. Luckily, we have a guide to help you through that essay prompt and stand out in the application process.

Is RPI test-optional?

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.

What is the application deadline at RPI?

Students must apply by January 15 to enroll at RPI during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.

At RPI students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 1.

You can also choose to apply Early Decision II, with a later deadline of December 15.

And if you’re considering applying Early Action at RPI, remember that the deadline is December 1.

Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to RPI?

Applying to RPI with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.

Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early Decision

Should I apply Early Action at RPI?

Early Action is a great option for students who want to hear back from a college before the Regular Decision admissions are released. At some colleges, applying Early Action can also help your admissions chances. However, this varies on a college-by-college basis, so it will not always give you a boost.

Be on the lookout for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action options. These are not the same as Early Action, and although they can be great options for some students, they are not a good fit for everyone. If you’re considering applying for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action, be sure to read the college’s admissions website carefully. Make sure that these restrictions fit with your college admissions plan.

What is the graduation rate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?

84% of students who start at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 26% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

How much do graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute go on to earn?

10 years after starting school at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $102,051. This is $51,660 more than the national median.

Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.

How much do students at RPI take out in loans?

Graduates of RPI have to take out a median of $23,750 in federal student loans. This is $10,250 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.