Scholarship and Merit Awards
The George Washington University is committed to the pursuit of academic excellence and rewards exceptionally qualified students with academic scholarships. Approximately 24 percent of new undergraduates receive merit-based financial assistance. While GW offers multiple scholarships and you may meet the qualifications for several, only one will be awarded. Unless indicated, applicants are considered for scholarships at the time of admission and no application is required. Some scholarships may require U.S. citizenship. Please refer to the international section of this page if you are a non-U.S. citizen.
Scholarships for Freshman Applicants
Freshmen awarded one of the scholarships listed below are guaranteed this award for up to 10 consecutive semesters as long as they maintain continuous full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress.
Presidential Academic Scholarships
All freshman applicants are considered automatically for these scholarships at the time of admission. Approximately 20% of students admitted to GW receive a Presidential Academic Scholarship.
National Scholarships
GW guarantees Presidential Academic Scholarships in amounts of $15,000 per year to National Merit Finalists, National Achievement Finalists, and National Hispanic Scholars who meet the following eligibility requirements.
- National Merit and National Achievement finalists must select GW as their college of choice with the National Merit Corporation and be selected by that organization as a National Merit Finalist or a National Achievement Finalist.
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National Hispanic Scholars must be designated by the College Board as a National Hispanic Scholar in the National Hispanic Recognition Program.
Engineering Scholarships
The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences offers a generous program of scholarships through the Presidential Academic Scholarship Program and all applicants are considered for them at the time of admission. The award of the scholarship is contingent upon enrolling in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Approximately 50% of engineering and computer science freshmen receive a scholarship.
Seven-Year B.A./M.D.
Students admitted to the Seven-Year B.A./M.D. Program pay a special tuition rate each year over the seven-year period for the Program. For the entering class of 2009, this rate is $56,329, less a $15,000 annual merit discount, for a total of $41,329 each year. This results in a $105,000 total merit discount for the B.A./M.D. program.
Six-Year B.A./J.D. Program
Students admitted to the Six-Year B.A./J.D. Program pay a special tuition rate each year over the six-year period. For the entering class of 2009 this rate is $51,940, less a $15,000 annual merit discount, for a total of $36,940 each year. This results in a total merit discount of $90,000 for the B.A./J.D. program.
Arts Scholarships
Presidential Arts Scholarships are awarded to outstanding student artists. Student artists must have strong academic credentials and demonstrated abilities in the visual or performing arts and have applied, auditioned, and been selected for the Presidential Scholars in the Arts Program.
Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Scholars
Outstanding graduates of the District of Columbia high schools who have been nominated by their guidance counselors are considered for full tuition and fees (beyond the DC Tag Program allowance), room and board, and book allowances. Candidates must be residents of the District of Columbia, attend a regionally accredited D.C. high school, and have applied for financial assistance.
Scottish Rite Scholarship
A limited number of half-tuition scholarships, established through a gift from the Scottish Rite Foundation, are awarded annually to full-time undergraduates. A separate Scottish Rite Scholarship Application is required in order to be considered for this award. Eligibility requirements are included on the application.
Related Download: Scottish Rite Application
ROTC Scholars
Qualifying ROTC scholars may be eligible for awards toward the cost of GW campus housing and meals. Navy, Army, and Air Force ROTC scholars who are new to the military service with majors in computer science, mathematics, chemistry, physics, or engineering may be eligible for a $4,000 room and board award. Regardless of major, NROTC scholars with prior Navy experience may be eligible for awards up to the average cost of room and board.
Scholarships for Transfer Applicants
Phi Theta Kappa
Members of Phi Theta Kappa who apply to GW are considered for academic scholarships of $7,500 ($15,000 for two years). To qualify for consideration, the applicant must present proof of membership in Phi Theta Kappa, and have at least 56 semester hours of transferable credit with a cumulative grade point average of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale.
Alpha Beta Gamma
Members of Alpha Beta Gamma who apply to GW are considered for academic scholarships of $7,500 ($15,000 for two years). To qualify for consideration, the applicant must present proof of membership in Alpha Beta Gamma, and have at least 56 semester hours of transferable credit with a cumulative grade point average of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale.
Engineering Scholarship
Transfer students admitted to the School of Engineering and Applied Science with a minimum of three hours of college-level chemistry or physics and six hours of college-level calculus or higher mathematics may be considered for a Presidential Academic Scholarship. To be considered for a $16,000 scholarship, the applicant must have at least 30 hours of transferable credit with a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. To be considered for a $20,000 scholarship, the applicant must have at least 60 hours of transferable credit with a cumulative grade point average of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale.
Scholarships for International Applicants
Presidential International Scholarship
Any non-US citizen or non-permanent resident who is admitted to GW as a first-year undergraduate for the fall semester and who possesses strong academic credentials is eligible for consideration for the Scholarship. Automatic consideration will be given to eligible candidates at the time of admission; however, priority will be given to applicants whose admissions files are complete by the application deadline. The value of the scholarship ranges up to full tuition.
Presidential Academic Scholarships
International freshman applicants who graduate from a U.S. High School are automatically considered for these Scholarships at the time of admission.
Engineering Scholarships
The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences offers a generous program of scholarships through the Presidential Academic Scholarship Program and all applicants are considered for them at the time of admission. The award of the scholarship is contingent upon enrolling in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Approximately 50% of engineering and computer science freshmen receive a scholarship.
Information on this page is accurate and current for the class entering Fall 2009.
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