Rider University Scholarships (2025–2026)

What This Page Covers:

Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way

Paying for a private university doesn’t have to feel out of reach. Rider offers a wide range of scholarships—from automatic awards given with admission to selective music competitions and ROTC funding—that can make a big difference for families. This guide breaks down Rider’s costs and scholarships in clear terms, with parent-friendly tips. For New Jersey families, don’t miss our state aid guide alongside this Rider page.

💰 Cost of Attendance at Rider University

Expense	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition & Fees (12–17 credits)	$59,960	$59,960
Housing & Meals	$19,687	$19,687
Books & Supplies	$1,000	$1,000
Travel	$1,000	$1,000
Personal Expenses	$1,050	$1,050
Total (before aid)	$83,767	$83,767

Average Net Price: This is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships—no loans. Latest federal (NCES) figure: $26,618 (2022–23).

Reciprocity / Regional Discounts: Not applicable for Rider (private university). Savings typically come from Rider merit and need-based aid.

Financial Aid Forms: Complete the FAFSA. CSS Profile is not required.

Cost of Attendance FAQ

Who qualifies for the in-state price?
Rider charges the same tuition for all undergraduates; “in-state” and “out-of-state” columns are identical.

What does 12–17 credits mean?
The table reflects a flat full-time band; most students take 12–17 credits per term without extra tuition charges.

Do I have to apply for special discounts?
No reciprocity/WUE. All admitted students are automatically reviewed for Rider’s merit scholarships; file the FAFSA for need-based aid.

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Rider Merit Scholarships (First-Year)	$14,000 – $27,000 per year	Automatic with admission; based on high school GPA, rigor, and test scores if submitted	No	Yes — up to 4 years, must remain full-time and maintain the GPA noted in award letter	Students with GPAs around 3.8–4.0 (with strong rigor or optional test scores) tend to be offered $23k–$27k. GPAs around 3.4–3.7 usually see awards in the $17k–$22k range. GPAs closer to 3.0–3.3 often land in the $14k–$16k range.

Note: GPA/test score ranges above are estimates. Rider publishes award bands ($14k–$27k) but not exact cutoffs. These estimates are based on Rider’s published ranges and past student profile data. Actual awards may vary year to year.

Rider awards the single scholarship of the highest value if a student qualifies for more than one institutional scholarship (no stacking of institutional merit).

Automatic Merit FAQ

Do I need to submit a separate application?
No — all applicants are automatically considered for Rider merit scholarships when admitted.

Does Rider superscore test results?
Yes. Rider superscores the SAT and ACT, meaning they combine your highest section scores across test dates.

Can I combine these awards with other Rider scholarships?
Not usually. Rider applies the highest-value institutional award only, though outside scholarships and federal/state grants can still be stacked.

Are these renewable all four years?
Yes, if you maintain the credit load and GPA requirement printed in your award letter.

🏆 Flagship Scholarships (selective & competitive)

These are university-level, highly selective competitive scholarships (our “flagship” awards). They’re different from automatic merit and separate from Honors or departmental programs.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?

No university-level flagship (competitive) scholarships are publicly listed for first-year students at Rider University. If Rider adds a campus-wide competitive award for 2025–2026, we’ll update this table in the repass.

Flagship / Competitive FAQ

So are there any competitive scholarships at Rider?
Yes, but they’re primarily departmental (e.g., Westminster performance competitions) or tied to specific programs. Those appear in the appropriate sections (Hidden Gems or College Specialty) rather than here.

Where are Honors or departmental awards?
Honors-related awards are listed in the Honors College section; departmental/college-specific funds (including performance-based awards) are listed under Hidden Gems or referenced in College Specialty.

What should I do to maximize funding if there’s no flagship award?
Apply early for automatic merit, submit strong academics (Rider superscores SAT/ACT), file the FAFSA, and explore departmental/ROTC/study abroad funding listed in Hidden Gems.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

These are the awards families often miss on the first pass — things like ROTC, study abroad stipends, or service-based programs. They’re not automatic merit or flagship-level, but they can meaningfully reduce costs.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Army ROTC (via Princeton University Battalion)	Covers full tuition and fees; plus monthly stipend and book allowance	U.S. citizens who meet academic and fitness standards; Rider students participate through Princeton’s program	Yes — national ROTC application	Yes — maintain ROTC and academic standards	Students willing to commit to military service; leadership and fitness are critical
Study Abroad & Global Scholarships	$500 – $2,500 (typical); external awards may be higher	Rider students approved for study abroad	Yes — Office of International Education or external sponsor	No (one-time)	Students with strong academic standing and clear study abroad goals
Community Scholars / Bonner Leaders	Annual education award (varies; typically $2,000–$4,000)	Students with significant service and leadership history	Yes — application and interview	Yes — must remain active and maintain GPA	Students with proven long-term community service and civic engagement
Rider University Grant	Varies — fills gap between cost and family ability to pay	Based on FAFSA; all undergraduates eligible	No — FAFSA required	Yes — must continue to demonstrate need	Families with financial need, as determined by FAFSA
New Jersey Tuition Promise	Free tuition	NJ residents with GPA 3.5+ and adjusted gross income ≤ $50,000; must qualify for full TAG and Pell Grants	No — FAFSA required	Yes — must continue to meet income and GPA requirements	High-achieving NJ residents from lower-income families
TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)	Support services; may include small grants or stipends	First-generation, low-income, or disabled students	Yes — TRIO application	Yes — participation and standing required	Students who meet TRIO criteria and actively use the support program
Sibling Grant	$2,000 annually	New full-time undergrad with a sibling currently enrolled full-time at Rider	No	Yes — as long as sibling remains enrolled	Families with two or more students enrolled at Rider
Legacy Award	$2,000 annually	Child, grandchild, or sibling of a Rider graduate	No	Yes — up to 4 years	Students with Rider alumni family connections

Disclaimer: Award amounts and GPA cutoffs are based on the most recent published Rider data (2025–26). Broad estimates have been narrowed into parent-friendly ranges where Rider listed “varies.” Always confirm final amounts in the student’s official award letter.

Departmental and academic scholarships (e.g., accounting, teacher education, foreign languages, communication/journalism) are applied for separately through Rider’s colleges and departments.
Music and performance-based awards (Westminster Choir College, Pep Band) are handled by auditions or departmental applications and are listed in the College Specialty section.

Hidden Gem FAQ

Are ROTC scholarships stackable with Rider aid?
Federal ROTC tuition awards generally replace Rider institutional aid, but students often keep housing/meal stipends and may still combine outside scholarships.

How competitive are study abroad scholarships?
Rider’s internal awards are modest but accessible; external awards can be more competitive. Students with clear goals and solid faculty references often do well.

Do service-based scholarships like Bonner stack with merit aid?
Yes, most program-based stipends can be combined with Rider’s merit scholarships, though award letters spell out any limits.

Are there QuestBridge or national partnership scholarships here?
No — Rider University is not listed as a QuestBridge National College Match partner school.

⭐ College Specialty

Rider University is a private institution in New Jersey with a long-standing reputation for the performing arts and strong professional programs. Families often know Rider best through Westminster Choir College, but the university also supports a wide range of business, education, and communications degrees that open direct career pipelines.

Nationally Known Program:
Westminster Choir College (Vocal Performance & Choral Conducting) — recognized nationally for excellence in choral music education and performance. Its choirs have performed at major venues across the U.S. and abroad, and the college remains one of the top destinations for students pursuing advanced vocal and choral studies.

Business (Norm Brodsky College of Business): AACSB-accredited, noted regionally for entrepreneurship and accounting pipelines.
Education: Rider’s teacher preparation programs are consistently recognized in New Jersey; the School of Education has deep ties to local districts.
Communication, Journalism & Media: Offers award-winning student media outlets and strong placement in regional broadcasting and journalism.
Arts Administration & Performing Arts Management: One of few undergraduate programs nationally combining business and the arts, supporting careers in arts leadership.

🎖️ Honors College

Rider’s Honors programs are designed for high-achieving students who want smaller seminars, closer faculty mentorship, and the chance to complete advanced projects. Admission is by invitation and typically goes to the strongest applicants in each incoming class.

What a Typical Rider Honors Student Looks Like:
High school GPA around 3.7–4.0*, strong course rigor (AP/IB/Honors), leadership roles, and intellectual curiosity demonstrated through essays or projects. *Estimates based on past Honors cohorts; Rider does not publish exact cutoffs.

Perks that Matter:

Priority course registration
Special advising and mentorship
Residential learning communities
Upper-level seminars and Great Ideas courses
Senior thesis or capstone project

Honors Options

Baccalaureate Honors Program (BHP): Invitation-only, top 10% of admits; requires GPA maintenance (3.3 in honors courses, 3.0 overall). Includes interdisciplinary seminars and a senior thesis or project.

Business Honors Program: For top business admits (about 50 students per cohort). Admission requires application by Jan 15 priority date. Graduation requires GPA ≥3.4 and a senior thesis. Includes special advising, residential learning community, and professional development opportunities.

Honors FAQ

Is admission automatic?
No. Admission is by invitation (based on your application) or through a separate application for some programs like Business Honors.

Does Honors add time to my degree?
No. Honors courses and projects are designed to fit within your four-year plan.

Are there extra scholarships for Honors students?
Rider does not list separate scholarships tied to Honors. Most funding comes through automatic merit or departmental awards.

What deadlines should I know?
For Business Honors, apply by January 15 to be considered for the next fall cohort. The Baccalaureate Honors Program is invitation-based with no extra form.

📎 Official Links

Final Thoughts

Rider University blends the feel of a private college with scholarship opportunities that can bring the price down for many families. Automatic merit is guaranteed with admission, while hidden gems like ROTC, the Bonner Leaders program, and New Jersey’s Tuition Promise can make Rider surprisingly affordable. If your student is interested in the arts, business, or education, Rider offers strong academic communities and plenty of ways to stand out. Use this guide as a starting point, and remember—stacking the right scholarships and filing the FAFSA early can make all the difference.

✅ Last updated: September 20, 2025