Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
1. Undergraduate Costs & Financial Planning
Where can I speak to someone about a billing or financial aid question?
Colonial Central is the headquarters for all things financial at GW. For specific questions about billing or financial aid, visit Colonial Central on the ground floor of the Marvin Center or call 202-994-9000. Colonial Central is a great resource for both students and parents.
Are there deadlines to apply for financial aid?
Yes, and the deadlines are particularly important. Filing your paperwork by our published priority deadlines will enable us to consider you for all types of assistance. We do accept late applications, but funds may not be available when we review your file.
How should I begin the process to apply for need-based aid?
1. File your PROFILE application form with the College Scholarship Service (CSS) using GW’s school code number 5246.
2. File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with the federal processor. Designate GW by using our federal school code, 001444.
3. Additional forms are required to complete and finalize your financial aid award, but an estimated package can be created when both the FAFSA and CSS/Profile have been received.
Other than the FAFSA and CSS/Profile, what forms are required for financial aid?
In addition to the FAFSA and the CSS Profile, you must provide a copy of the following documents to the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA):
- Prior year W-2 Wage Statements from all employers for you and your parents (or spouse, if married).
- Signed prior year Federal Income Tax Return, including all forms and schedules for you and your parents (or spouse). Those who did not file must complete the Certification That A Tax Return Was Not And Is Not Required To Be Filed Form. Individuals who work in foreign countries or for tax-exempt organizations need to submit signed translated copies of the foreign tax return or a signed employer statement of prior year salary and benefits.
- Completed Federal Verification Worksheet
- Student’s Proof of Immigration Status for eligible non-citizens: provide copy of front and back of your green card or I-94 form.
I sent documents to the Financial Aid Office. How will I know whether you have received them?
Undergraduate applicants to the University can check to see if the FAFSA and CSS/Profile have been received by viewing their online status. Check on the GW Activity Center.
When we review your FAFSA and PROFILE data, we will send you a letter indicating what is still needed to complete your file. You can also check the status of your file on the GWeb Information System. Also, our staff members may call you or your parents if they have questions about your information as they review your file.
What is an “estimated award”?
We estimate awards only for freshmen and transfer students; current students receive only finalized awards. An estimated award is based on the income estimates you entered on the PROFILE and FAFSA. If your family’s actual income is different from those estimates, or if you made mistakes on the PROFILE and FAFSA, your need will differ and the award package will be revised. To get a final confirmed award, send your tax returns and W-2s to us as early as possible.
How do you determine my need?
When your PROFILE and FAFSA data are processed, formulas are applied to the information you provided. Congress established the federal formula and the College Scholarship Service developed the PROFILE formula. These formulas take into account your family’s income, assets, family size, the number of children/dependents in college, the age of the older parent and required expenses such as taxes, basic living expenses and employment-related expenses. Unfortunately, consumer debt, even if education-related, is not considered. The formula results indicate how much you and your family are expected to contribute toward your education for the upcoming award year. This amount and any outside awards are subtracted from GW’s estimated expenses. The difference is your financial need.
Why does GW’s calculation of need sometimes differ from the Student Aid Report?
The information you provide on the PROFILE and FAFSA is often estimated. GW corrects any errors it finds, updates the information with actual tax data when returns are received and reviews the consistency of the information. For example, reported assets are compared with interest and dividend income to verify accuracy.
Private colleges do not generally use the results of the FAFSA to award institutional aid. However, we do use the FAFSA results on the Student Aid Report to determine your eligibility for federal funds, including entitlement to a Federal Pell Grant or the Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan. Since the federal government does not provide enough funding to fill the financial need of everyone who is eligible, we use the CSS (College Scholarship Service) formula, which is based on PROFILE. When we calculate the family contribution, we use PROFILE data to award GW funds. This enables us to prioritize awards for the neediest students first.
Like the federal formula, the CSS PROFILE formula uses your tax data from the prior calendar year; thus, 2009 tax data is used to award funds for the 2010-2011 academic year. Using PROFILE, we review all asset information, and we do not normally allow negative income or count capital losses that relate to assets. In general, we take into account other family members in college only if they are dependent siblings enrolled at least half-time as undergraduate students. We also expect a minimum contribution from the student. Insofar as possible, we try to consider special situations, such as a parent’s unemployment or a natural disaster.
When and how can I view my financial aid award?
Applicants who have been notified of their admission to the University, as well as currently enrolled students, may view their financial aid awards under the Financial Aid Section on the GWeb Information System. Financial aid packages are typically created for admitted freshmen in early April. Students must reapply for financial aid each year, and packages for currently enrolled students are usually made available in June and July. The financial aid office will e-mail you when your package is ready to be viewed.
Do I have to reapply for aid each year?
Yes. Although merit aid and the GW Guaranteed Grant will be renewed automatically (if you complete the number of credits and attain the GPA required for your award), any additional need-based financial assistance requires reapplication annually. Renewal is dependent on satisfactory academic performance and continued financial need. Awards may be altered or withdrawn at any time if your academic record becomes unsatisfactory or your financial need changes.
Can a family count on the same financial aid package every year?
A portion of student aid (merit scholarships and guaranteed grants, for example) will not change from year to year, assuming you meet the minimum requirements for renewal. Your eligibility for other need-based funds, however, is determined one year at a time. Because you and your parents' circumstances can change greatly from one year to the next, so can your award. Families that do not see significant changes in income from year to year will not typically see significant changes in their financial aid packages.
Does GW expect a student contribution?
We anticipate a minimum contribution from all students from summer earnings and past savings. To help students obtain employment, the University has its own Career Center. This is a major source of part-time, temporary and summer employment opportunities.
How will outside aid affect my award?
In accepting any or all of the need-based aid offered by GW, you agree to advise us in writing of the source and amount of any other assistance you receive for the academic year that does not appear on your Award Notification. This would include merit or need-based scholarships, grants, athletic grants, tuition awards, employee benefits, ROTC awards, co-op sponsor payments, etc., whether from GW or from an external source.
If you are receiving only merit aid, the combined total of all of your awards designated for tuition cannot exceed the cost of tuition. Some awards are not specifically designated for tuition and can be used for education-related expenses of room, board, books, supplies, transportation and personal expenses. The combination of these and your tuition-designated awards cannot exceed the amount of GW’s 2010-2011 estimated expenses. If necessary, our institutional awards will be reduced to assure compliance. Students who receive tuition benefits should decline their University merit awards.
If you are receiving need-based aid, both federal and institutional policies require us to adjust your aid when we learn of additional resources. The amount of additional aid will first be applied to any unmet need. Next, we will reduce your Work-Study amount, followed by any need-based gift aid. Unfortunately, outside resources cannot reduce the family contribution.
What are the minimum requirements for renewal of need-based awards?
A GPA of 3.0 (B) on 12 earned credit hours per semester, exclusive of courses not counted toward graduation, is recommended for renewal.
How can I appeal my award?
Write a letter to the Office of Student Financial Assistance explaining in detail why you think your case should be reconsidered and what factors you think we may have overlooked. When we receive your letter, our Appeals Committee will review your case and inform you of its decision. No appeal will be reviewed without 2008 federal tax information. Continuing students should mention any special circumstances in a cover letter attached to their GW renewal application at the time of submission.
What do I do if my financial situation changes?
Let the Office of Student Financial Assistance know. The best way to do this is to write a letter specifying how your situation has changed since the original filing of your PROFILE and FAFSA forms. Provide us with detailed information (specific monetary amounts) so that we can review your financial need. We will let you know if we need any additional information and will inform you of our decisions. Subject to availability of funds, we normally allow award changes for the following reasons: disability or death of a parent, unemployment, layoffs, pay cuts, emergency medical expenses, natural disasters or other undergraduate siblings entering college.
Is summer aid available?
Yes, but it is limited to federal and alternative loans. The recommended deadline is March 1 for submission of the Stafford (subsidized or unsubsidized), PLUS or other loan application forms.
Where can I find more information about federal work-study and student employment?
Additional information about student employment is available here.
2. Graduate Cost & Financial Planning
How do I get considered for Financial Aid?
At the graduate level the financial aid process differs from the undergraduate aid process. Graduate aid is mostly merit-based, awarded by departments, schools and the Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships. These office send out award letters for merit awards, assistantships and fellowships.
U.S. students applying for Federal and private student loans will receive a separate award letter from the Office of Student Financial Assistance, stating the loan accounts for which they qualify. Work Study awards will be included in the loan notification letter or in a revised version if Work Study is awarded after the initial loan letter is sent out.
Are Graduate Fellowships/Assistantships available?
Most departments consider incoming students for department-based assistantships and fellowships at the time of admissions application review. For information on graduate fellowships and assistantships, please visit Types of Funding and Financial Assistance or The Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships.
What loan options are available?
Federal Stafford Loans and credit-based Graduate PLUS loans are available, as well as Private Alternative loans to fund a student expenses up to their Cost of Attendance. A student must meet Federal eligibility requirements by completing the FAFSA for Stafford loans. Loan funding for International Students is limited to the Private Alternative loan programs. For information on loan options, please visit our Loan Options page.
What are the costs for graduate study at GW? Are there additional fees?
Tuition, fees and estimated living expenses for the current academic year are posted in our Tuition and Fees section and may vary by program. Please note that graduate tuition and fees are comparable to the national average for private institutions and are expected to increase yearly.
Is there funding for International Students?
Most merit-based financial assistance opportunities are open to international students. Some students receive funding from GW, their home countries or the companies for which they work.
International students selected for teaching assistantships must demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. Restrictions apply to international students seeking on- or off-campus employment. For more information contact the International Services Office.
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