Scholarship and Merit Awards
The George Washington University is committed to the pursuit of academic excellence and rewards exceptionally qualified students with academic scholarships. Recipients of these competitive scholarships represent a wide range of economic, cultural, and geographic backgrounds. Unless indicated, applicants are considered for scholarships at the time of admission, and no application is required. Students wishing to be considered for need-based financial assistance must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile.
While GW offers multiple scholarships and you may meet the qualifications for several, only one can be awarded. Some scholarships may require U.S. citizenship. Please refer to the international section of this page if you are a non-U.S. citizen. Students receiving GW employee benefits are not eligible for the awards listed on this page.
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. Unless otherwise indicated, all scholarships and merit awards can only be used towards tuition expenses.
PRESIDENTIAL ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS
All freshman applicants are considered automatically for these tuition scholarships at the time of admission. Approximately 20% of students admitted to GW receive a Presidential Academic Scholarship.
NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
National Merit Finalists, National Achievement Finalists, and National Hispanic Scholars who apply to GW and meet the following eligibility requirements are considered for Presidential Academic Scholarships in the amount of $15,000 per year.
- 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.
- 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 these awards at the time of admission. The award of the scholarship is contingent upon enrolling in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. A larger pool of funds for engineering awards allows approximately 50% of engineering and computer science freshmen to 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 2010, this rate is $59,145, less a $15,000 annual merit discount, for a total of $44,145 each year. This results in a $105,000 total merit discount for the B.A./M.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. These scholarships are tuition awards.
STEPHEN JOEL TRACHTENBERG (SJT) SCHOLARSHIP
Outstanding graduates of the District of Columbia high schools who have been nominated by their guidance counselors are considered for SJT Scholarships. These awards cover full tuition and fees (beyond the DC Tag Program allowance), room and board, and include a book allowance. 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.
Scholarships for Transfer Applicants
PHI THETA KAPPA
Members of Phi Theta Kappa honors society who apply to GW are considered for academic tuition scholarships of $7,500 ($15,000 for two years). To qualify for consideration, the applicant must apply to enter GW for the fall semester on a full-time basis, 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 honors society who apply to GW are considered for academic tuition scholarships of $7,500 ($15,000 for two years). To qualify for consideration, the applicant must apply to enter GW for the fall semester on a full-time basis, 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 credit-hours of college-level chemistry or physics and six credit-hours of college-level calculus or higher mathematics may be considered for a Presidential Academic Scholarship. To be considered for a $16,000 tuition 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 tuition 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. Preference is given to students who apply for the fall semester.
NATIONAL SOCIETY OF COLLEGIATE SCHOLARS
Members of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) Community College Scholars Program who apply to GW are considered for academic tuition scholarships of $10,000 ($20,000 for two years). To qualify for consideration, the applicant must be accepted as a transfer student from an NSCS community college chapter to enter GW for the fall semester on a full-time basis, present proof of membership in NSCS, and have at least 56 semester hours of transferable credit from a community college with a cumulative grade point average of 3.6 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 a Presidential International 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 high schools in the U.S. are automatically considered for Presidential Academic 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. A larger pool of funds for engineering awards allows approximately 50% of engineering and computer science freshmen to receive a scholarship.
Military Awards
YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM
GW participates in the Post-9/11 GI Bill's Yellow Ribbon Program which allows academically qualified undergraduate veterans who are eligible for the program to attend GW for free. For more information on the Yellow Ribbon Program, please review the Student Application Policy and Procedures.
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.
Information on this page is accurate and current for the class entering Fall 2011.
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