Why are in-state and out-of-state costs the same at RIT?
RIT is a private university, so it doesn’t use state residency to set tuition. Your price will depend on your aid package (merit + need-based aid), not your home state.

What’s included in “direct/billed” costs vs the full cost of attendance?
Direct/billed costs are what you typically pay to RIT: tuition/mandatory fees and (if you live on campus) housing and meals. The full cost of attendance adds indirect items like books, travel, and personal expenses that you pay on your own.

How does NTID reduced tuition work?
If your student is deaf or hard of hearing and qualifies under NTID guidelines, RIT publishes a reduced tuition rate that can be substantially lower than the standard undergraduate tuition. This applies regardless of residency and can change the affordability math dramatically.

Can merit scholarships meaningfully reduce the $78K sticker price?
Yes. RIT’s automatic merit awards are often in the five-figure range per year, and some students also qualify for additional competitive awards. The key is meeting priority dates and making sure RIT has your strongest test scores on file if you’re submitting them.

How should we use the $39,600 “average net price” number?
Use it as a reality-check baseline. Families with strong merit (or high need) can come in below that number, and families without aid can be well above it. The Net Price Calculator is the best way to estimate your student’s likely cost.

Do New York state grants automatically apply at a private college like RIT?
Sometimes — it depends on the program and your eligibility. If you’re a New York resident, it’s worth checking New York’s state aid rules and whether your student qualifies for state grants that can stack with institutional aid.

Do I need to apply separately for RIT’s automatic merit scholarships?
No. Most RIT merit scholarships (including Presidential, Founders, IB, and NTID automatic awards) are awarded through the admissions process with no separate merit application.

Is RIT test-optional for merit scholarships?
Yes. RIT is test-optional. Students can receive merit without submitting scores, but strong ACT or SAT scores—especially with superscoring—may still help.

If my student qualifies for the IB Diploma Scholarship and another RIT merit award, which one applies?
RIT typically awards the higher value. The IB Diploma Scholarship does not stack on top of other RIT merit awards and functions as a guaranteed minimum.

Why don’t NTID scholarships list fixed dollar amounts?
RIT’s NTID scholarships are prorated to reflect the significantly lower NTID tuition rate. As a result, award amounts vary by student and are not published as fixed bands.

Does RIT offer Stamps Scholars?
No. RIT does not currently participate in the Stamps Scholars program.

Are the High School Junior Awards really worth prioritizing?
Yes. For many families, this is the single biggest “missable” opportunity at RIT. The counselor nomination deadline for the next cycle is Apr 15, 2026.

Does my student lose their automatic merit if they win FIRST or PLTW?
Not exactly. In most cases, RIT applies the higher award rather than stacking large institutional awards. Example: if your student is offered $18,000 in base merit, a $14,000 FIRST award usually won’t add on. But if their base merit was $10,000, FIRST could “bump” them up to $14,000.

Do any competitive awards stack?
Some smaller add-ons (like National Merit) are explicitly designed to stack. Others (like Performing Arts) may stack depending on the package and participation requirements. The safest assumption for families: big awards usually replace, smaller add-ons are more likely to stack.

Is the National Co-op Scholarship specific to RIT?
No. It’s administered through WACE. Students apply through the WACE process, and renewal depends on program criteria and continued eligibility.

Do these “hidden gem” scholarships stack with RIT merit?
Usually, RIT applies the highest-value offer unless an award is explicitly labeled stackable (⨁). On this page, the Alumni Referral Award is a clear example of a stackable add-on. When in doubt, the student’s award letter/portal is the source of truth.

When you say “full tuition,” is that one scholarship check?
Typically, no. For programs like Destler/Johnson Rochester City Scholars and Say Yes, “full tuition” is generally achieved through the student’s overall aid package after required verification steps are completed. Always confirm the final coverage in the official award summary.

How does the Hillside Scholarship actually get applied?
The key step is eligibility verification through participation in the Hillside Work–Scholarship Connection program. If your student qualifies, the award typically appears as part of the financial aid package after the file is complete.

How do we secure the Alumni Referral Award (⨁)?
An RIT alum must submit the referral on time. Treat Nov 1 as a best-practice “early” target and Jan 15 as the common final cutoff for having it attached before decisions are finalized. Once awarded, it is typically renewable (confirm in the award letter).

Is the Esports Scholarship only for elite players?
It’s tied to recruiting and program needs. Some years it may prioritize varsity competitors; other years it may include additional program roles. The best move is to contact the program early and ask what’s scholarship-eligible for your student’s entry year.

SD-CoMETS: what makes this one different?
It’s one of the most major-specific awards on the list: it’s restricted to Engineering Technology majors and pays out over a defined window ($3,750 per semester for the first 5 semesters). If your student is in that college, it’s worth prioritizing.

ROTC “full tuition + room & board support” — how should parents interpret this?
The tuition portion is typically tied to the student’s national ROTC scholarship award. RIT’s additional support is what can make this a true affordability “swing.” ROTC is deadline-driven, so families should follow ROTC timelines closely.

Saunders (Livingston County): is this automatic?
No — treat it like a college/department-managed award. If your student fits the county + Saunders criteria, it’s worth reaching out to the college scholarship office early to confirm the process and timing for that year.

Does Honors include guaranteed money?
No. There is no automatic tuition scholarship for Honors students.

Is there any funding at all?
Yes. Honors students may apply for a small enrichment grant (up to $500 total) for research or academic travel.

What GPA is required?
Students typically must maintain around a 3.5 cumulative GPA to remain in good standing and graduate with Honors.

Can students join Honors later?
Sometimes. Internal admission is competitive and generally requires a very strong first-year RIT GPA.

Does Honors affect housing?
Some honors-designated housing options may be available in certain years, but housing placement is not guaranteed.