Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling

Financial Assistance:

The M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling may be completed on either a part-time or full-time basis.  Part time study permits students to continue in their professional employment.  Therefore, many students continue to support themselves and pay tuition while working full time and pursuing a graduate degree on a part-time basis.  Courses are taught in the afternoon and evening.  Generally, students attending part time can take two courses in one day so that it is necessary to come to campus for class only once per week.  

The UMDNJ Office of Student Financial Aid can be contacted for information about loans and other forms of financial aid.  The Office in Newark, which serves all students in the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions programs, can be reached at (973) 972-4376.  Before any financial aid awards can be made, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The Office of Student Financial Aid must have the information from the completed FAFSA to determine eligibility for federal, state or institutional funding.  The FAFSA should be completed as early in the admissions process as possible.  Do not wait for an admissions decision to begin the financial aid process.  The FAFSA must be completed on-line and can be accessed at www.Fafsa.ed.gov or through the UMDNJ financial aid homepage under Application Process at www.umdnj.edu/studentfinancialaid/index _new_brow.htm.  When submitting the FAFSA, be sure to include the UMDNJ school code.  It is 013645.

Information and the application for scholarships available from the School of Health Related Professions (SHRP) are at http://shrp.umdnj.edu, select Current Students and then Scholarships.  Some scholarships require the establishment of financial need through the Office of Student Financial Aid which requires the completion of the FAFSA form.  Since SHRP scholarship funding is limited, students needing financial assistance should apply for financial aid through the Office of Student Financial Aid as well as apply for SHRP scholarships that are of interest.  You must have completed your application for admission to the program to be considered for any scholarships.  To apply for SHRP scholarships, submit the required application and supporting materials by June 1.  For questions about SHRP scholarships, contact the Office of Enrollment Services at 973-972-5454 or by e-mail at shrpadm@umdnj.edu.

When students are offered acceptance to UMDNJ, the Office of Student Financial Aid automatically mails a financial aid application packet to the student’s current mailing address.  Students are also encouraged to contact their employers to determine if tuition reimbursement is available through their work and to discuss with their tax preparer the availability of any tax advantages for which they may quality when enrolled for a graduate degree.

The Department does not offer graduate assistantships for students at the master’s level.  However, faculty involved with research that is grant funded may have opportunities for students to work as research assistants.  Students interested in this should contact Dr. Janice Oursler, the Program Director, at (908) 889-2462 to inquire about faculty who may be looking for assistance in doing research.

RSA Grant

Tuition support is available for a limited number of matriculated students in the M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling under a federal grant from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).  Students may attend either full time or part time while receiving tuition support.  RSA requires a work payback period in qualifying employment in the field of rehabilitation counseling as part of accepting tuition support under this program.  Employment in most rehabilitation settings through out the United States qualifies in fulfilling the payback agreement.  Also, students must explore and use other sources of financial assistance such as employer tuition reimbursement before accepting RSA grant funds.  Residents of all states are eligible.  Contact Dr. Janice Oursler, Program Director for the M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling, at (908) 889-2462 or by e-mail at ourslejd@umdnj.edu for more information.