Financial Assistance

The Office of Student Financial Assistance coordinates the awarding of federal aid including the student loan programs. Students applying for such aid should contact the office for further information on the programs listed here and for the appropriate forms.

Overview

All federal programs require the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which must be submitted to the federal processor by April 1 for the following fall semester or academic year. The FAFSA and instructions for filling out the FAFSA are available online from the U.S. Department of Education. The Office of Student Financial Assistance will send you a loan application and other procedural information if you answer "Yes" to "Do you plan to apply for a Federal Stafford Loan, Perkins Loan, or work-study position from this University?" in the Financial Aid section of the GW Application for Graduate Admission.

To be eligible for most forms of need-based assistance, you must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or refugee, and must demonstrate financial need (which is the difference between the amount you can contribute from your available resources and the cost of attending GW). Need-based and other loan programs also require that you be admitted or currently enrolled on at least a half-time basis (a minimum of five credit hours per semester during the academic year and summer). In addition, you cannot be in default on any previous student loans.

For extensive information on Federal Financial Aid programs and processes, visit the U.S. Department of Education's Funding Your Education site or visit the Financial Aid Information Page, which is sponsored by the National Association of Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).

All student loans must be certified by the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

Return to top

Loan Programs

Most loans are based on either financial need or creditworthiness and are available only to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Although GW students use the following loans most frequently, other loans are available. Contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance for additional information.

• Federal Stafford Loan Program - up to $20,500 per academic year:
• Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan - based on financial need; students do not make payments while enrolled in school at least half-time; maximum Subsidized Loan is $8,500
• Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan - students are responsible for the interest that accrues while they are enrolled in school
• Federal Graduate Plus Loan Program - students must complete FAFSA and Stafford application. Students are eligible to apply for cost of education less any other aid (including Stafford loan). This is a credit-based loan.
• Alternative Education Loans - The University has worked closely with lenders to create a very competitive alternative loan program. The lender(s) provide up to 100% of GW's average graduate annual cost (tuition, fees, living expenses, books, etc.) minus any current financial assistance (Stafford Loans, fellowships, etc.). The interest rate for this loan is the prime rate, capped at 10%. Payments can be deferred until graduation with 12-15 years for repayment. More information will be provided in the financial aid mailing. Also, you may want to visit the Office of Student Financial Assistance's website (http://gwired.gwu.edu/finaid) to obtain more information.

Return to top

Federal Campus-Based Aid

Our allocation of funds is limited for the Federal Perkins Loan and Federal Work-Study programs. To be considered, you must first receive a subsidized Federal Stafford Loan. For information on Graduate Work Study visit our Graduate Work Study page.

Return to top

Notes for Professional Students

M.D. students in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences and J.D. students in The George Washington University Law School who are applying for need-based assistance and loan programs should contact their school's financial assistance office.

School of Medicine and Health Sciences - Office of Financial Aid
2300 Eye Street, NW, Ross Hall, 711
The George Washington University
Washington, DC 20052
Phone: (202) 994-2960
e-mail: medfinan@gwu.edu
Website: www.gwumc.edu/smhs/Fin-Aid

The George Washington University Law School - Financial Aid Office
700 20th Street, NW
The George Washington University
Washington, DC 20052
Phone: (202) 994-6592
E-mail: finaid@law.gwu.edu
Website: www.law.gwu.edu/finaid

Return to top