Scholarships & Aid
Scholarships & Aid
At GW, we are committed to making a world-class education accessible. Upon your admission, we'll review all financial details and administer a comprehensive financial aid package to help you take the next step forward.
On this page, you'll find information about scholarships, financial aid application steps, and quick links to our Office of Student Financial Assistance, where our experts are ready to help.
Our Revolutionary Promise
If your family earns $100,000 or less, your tuition is fully covered. If your family earns up to $150,000, GW will cover at least half of your tuition through grants and scholarships. Full details are available here.
Applying for Aid
To be considered for federal and institutional financial assistance, new undergraduate students (early decision, regular, transfer, and GW students applying for re-admission) are required to complete each step by the posted deadline. Your financial need is determined based on the information you supply through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and your College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile.
FAFSA
Complete the FAFSA using GW School Code 001444
FAFSA Deadlines:
Early Decision 1 – Nov. 1
Early Decision 2 & Regular Decision – Jan. 5
Fall Transfer – Apr. 15
Spring Admission – Oct. 1
CSS Profile
Complete the CSS Profile and Non-Custodial Profile (if applicable) using School Code 5246
Deadline: same as FAFSA
Additional Documents
Submit signed copies of prior year federal tax returns and W2 statements for custodial parents (and step-parent, if applicable) and students.
Documents can be submitted online through the CSS Profile Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC) system.
Some applicants will be asked to submit the Verification of Family Member Enrollment.
Need-based assistance is only available to eligible U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Although international students are not eligible for need-based assistance, GW automatically considers incoming international students for merit scholarships, including the You Are Welcome Here Scholarship, which requires an additional application.
Refer to the Office of Student Financial Assistance for up-to-date information.
Did you know?
GW offers an interest-free payment plan and other payment methods to help students and families spread out tuition costs.
Use the Net Price Calculator to determine your potential eligibility for financial aid and calculate your possible out-of-pocket expenses.
Types of Assistance
There are several types of funding to help you bridge the gap between your contribution and the total cost of attendance.
Federal and institutional grants may be offered as part of your award package based on your individual eligibility for financial assistance. They do not need to be repaid. Eligibility for all other grants is re-evaluated annually based on the application for financial assistance.
In cases where a student is offered multiple awards which cannot be combined, the student will receive the largest award.
- DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DC TAG): The DC TAG provides tuition subsidies to DC residents who attend a private college in the Washington, DC area. Currently, grants are valued at $2,500 per year and must be applied to tuition expenses only.
- Federal Pell Grant: Pell Grants are available to undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional need. Award amounts are determined annually by the US Department of Education and are tied to both the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and the student’s enrollment status (full-time, half-time or less than half time).
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): FSEOG funds are awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need, and priority is given to students with Federal Pell Grant eligibility.
- GW District Scholars Award: The GW District Scholars grant when combined with the rest of GW’s financial aid package will allow GW to meet the full demonstrated financial need of qualifying students.
- University and Alumni Award: This need based grant may be awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. The Alumni Award can be used only towards tuition expenses.
Refer to the Office of Student Financial Assistance for a complete list of grants.
When you apply to GW, you are automatically considered for scholarships as part of our admissions process. Most of our scholarships require no extra steps from you.
Students may be offered as part of the award package or apply separately for the following loans:
Loans are a debt which must be repaid. Many loans offer deferments (postponed repayment) until after the student has graduated or dropped below half-time status. Undergraduate students will automatically be considered for eligible Federal Loan programs as part of their financial assistance package.
On July 4, 2025, HR 1 – Public Law No. 119–21, known as the “Big Beautiful Bill,” was signed into law. This legislation introduced changes to how students and families pay for higher education. While the Department of Education continues to release regulations and provide more context for students and families, information regarding these changes can be found on our Recent Changes to Financial Aid webpage.
This Federal website helps you calculate student loan payments and choose a loan repayment option that best meets your needs and goals. You can also use it to decide whether to consolidate your student loans. Please log in using your FSA ID to access your data.
View comprehensive federal and institutional grant information on the Financial Aid website.
The Federal Work Study Program (FWS) is a federally-funded work program that allows students who qualify to earn money while working at a pre-approved organization: GW departments, local nonprofits, government agencies and community service employers.
You are automatically considered for FWS when you complete the FAFSA and, if eligible, it will be included in your financial aid offer. Students qualify for work-study based on their eligibility for need-based assistance. Once awarded, students are able to earn up to the total amount of their annual award. The work-study award is typically paid to the student through a bi-weekly paycheck, however students may choose to have their earnings credited to their university account by completing the Title IV Authorization form which is available on the Student Accounts website.
The amount of the student’s paycheck is based on the hours worked and their hourly pay rate. Once a student earns up to their annual work-study award they cannot continue to work unless their employer is able to retain them as a non-work-study employee.
Assistance from the Center for Career Services
The Center for Career Services offers comprehensive career development, experiential education, and student employment services and resources for GW students and alumni. Please note that the university does not assign students to specific jobs, rather Student Employment within the Center for Career Services maintains online position listings on the Student Employment Talent Management System.
View comprehensive federal and institutional grant information on the Financial Aid website.
Yellow Ribbon Program
This program allows institutions of higher learning (degree-granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to fund tuition expenses that exceed the maximum base pay amount. View GW's Yellow Ribbon benefits.
Benefits Offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
GW's Military and Veteran Services processes benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, including the Yellow Ribbon Program. Please visit Military & Veteran Services for more information.
- Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill®
- Chapter 31: Veterans Readiness and Employment
- Chapter 33: Post 9-11 GI Bill®
- Chapter 35: Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) Program
- Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Bill®: Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
- Department of Defense Tuition Assistance Program (also known as Federal Tuition Assistance or FTA)
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Visit the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs website for more information about VA education benefits.
ROTC Scholars
ROTC scholars may be eligible for awards toward the cost of GW campus housing and meals. GW merit scholarships apply strictly to tuition and may be adjusted once an ROTC tuition scholarship is applied. Learn more about ROTC benefits at GW.
View comprehensive federal and institutional grant information on the Financial Aid website.
When you apply to GW, you are automatically considered for scholarships as part of our admissions process. Most of our scholarships require no extra steps from you. The select few that require an additional essay are outlined below. Unless otherwise noted, scholarship amounts may vary by student. Admitted students will see their scholarship award in their offer of admission.
- Presidential Academic Scholarships
All applicants, whether first-year, international, or transfer, are considered automatically for these tuition scholarships. Presidential Academic Scholarships are awarded to the most competitive applicants in the pool.
- Clark Engineering Scholarship
The Clark Engineering Scholars program includes a leadership boot camp, seminars, community service, internship opportunities, and study abroad.
Transfer Applicant Scholarships
- Alpha Beta Gamma Scholarship
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). You 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 45 semester hours of transferable credit with a cumulative grade point average of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale to be eligible for the award.
- National Society of Collegiate Scholars Scholarship
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 you 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
- have at least 45 semester hours of transferable credit from a community college with a cumulative grade point average of 3.6 on a 4.0 scale
- Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
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). You 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 45 semester hours of transferable credit with a cumulative grade point average of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale to be eligible for the award.
Additional Application Scholarships
You Are Welcome Here Scholarship
Each year, we offer two scholarships to applicants who are dedicated to furthering the #YouAreWelcomeHere message by bridging intercultural divides.
- Application Process
Applicants will need to answer a short essay question or present a multimedia project about their ideas for advancing intercultural learning and understanding on their future campus. Applicants who wish to be considered for this scholarship are also required to submit a CSS Profile with their application. Read more details about the scholarship requirements and the application process.
First Robotics Scholarship
GW is in partnership with For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) to award 4 students with a FIRST Scholarship.
- Application Process
This scholarship is to be awarded to students who are applying as first-year students and have participated on a FIRST Team. The scholarship to be awarded is a minimum of $15,000 that is renewable for up to five years or ten semesters of undergraduate studies.
Scholarship Eligibility
- Student must have completed at least one season on a FIRST Robotics Team
- Student must be a senior in high school
- Preference for students pursuing majors in engineering and natural sciences
- To be eligible to apply for GW's FIRST Scholarship, students must submit an application to the George Washington University no later than our Regular Decision deadline, January 5
- Apply for the FIRST Scholarship
Should you have any questions about the application process, please email us at gwadm
gwu [dot] edu (gwadm[at]gwu[dot]edu) or give our office a call at 202-994-6040.
Corcoran Scholars
Corcoran Scholars receive support to explore artistic practices and interpretations across disciplines, gaining a deeper understanding of the creative process and its place in a greater cultural context.
- Application Process
Students must submit an application for admission to GW and submit an audition application or a portfolio via Slideroom. Slideroom submissions are due by January 5. Students applying Early Decision 1, Early Decision 2, and Regular Decision may apply. Candidates will be notified of their Corcoran Scholars decision in late March.
To learn more about Corcoran Scholars and to see audition and portfolio guidelines, visit the Corcoran Scholars webpage.
If you have specific questions about Corcoran Scholars, please email corcoranschool
gwu [dot] edu (corcoranschool[at]gwu[dot]edu).
Scottish Rite Scholarship
The Scottish Rite Foundation awards a limited number of merit scholarships that cover up to half of tuition costs for full-time undergraduates at GW.
- Application Process
To be eligible, a father, grandfather, brother, uncle or student must be affiliated with the Scottish Rite Foundation. Students must also have strong academic credentials as submitted with the application of admission and full-time attendance at GW. Students must submit an additional application to be considered. The Scottish Rite Scholarship application is available from October 1 through February 1 each year.
District Scholars
GW is deeply committed to enrolling exceptional students from our community, the District of Columbia. One way we demonstrate that commitment is through the District Scholars program.
GW's District Scholars program makes it possible for GW to meet full demonstrated need for qualifying high school students from D.C.
No separate application is required.
Eligibility Requirements
- To be eligible, students must:
- Be admitted to and choose to enroll at GW’s main campus as a full-time, first-year undergraduate student.
- Be a resident of the District and qualify for the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant (D.C. TAG).
- Have attended for their final two years and graduated from a high school (public, charter, online or private) within the District, or have been home-schooled within the District for at least their final two years of high school.
- Have submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the College Board’s CSS Profile and all other required financial documentation to GW.
- Have an annual family income as determined by GW that does not exceed $75,000.
- Students who qualify are expected to apply and qualify for D.C. TAG and to apply for the D.C. Mayor’s Scholarship each year they are enrolled at GW. Students who meet the criteria will automatically be awarded the $7,500 GW District Scholars grant; no separate application is required.
SJT Scholars
GW’s Stephen Joel Trachtenberg (SJT) Scholarship program, founded in 1989, provides academically talented D.C. high school seniors with a full, four-year scholarship covering tuition, room and board, books and fees at the university. Launched as the 21st Century Scholarship by former university president Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, the award was designed to attract talented high school seniors from D.C.'s public and public charter high schools to GW. Each spring, GW surprises SJT Scholarship recipients.
Students must apply to GW by January 5 and be nominated by their high school counselor by January 10.
SJT Scholar Opportunities
- Become part of a distinguished group of GW scholars and alumni
- Participate in collaborative learning environments
- Interact with university leadership, including provosts, deans, program directors, and a host of distinguished faculty
- Serve as ambassadors for special university and related events
Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Scholars benefit from added academic support, mentorship, leadership, and character development during their time at GW. These students truly learn the value of knowledge in action.
Selection Criteria
Scholars are selected based on academic record, including GPA, course of study, teacher recommendations, leadership qualities, community service, and other extracurricular activities and achievements.
There is also a required essay and an evaluative interview component, conducted by the Admissions Committee. The scholarships are renewed annually, provided the recipients meet the university’s academic progress standards.
Eligibility Requirements
- District of Columbia resident
- Attend a regionally accredited secondary school in the District of Columbia (public, private, or charter)
- Apply for admission to GW by the Regular Decision deadline of January 5
- Apply for financial assistance by submitting both the CSS Profile and the FAFSA* by January 5
- If eligible, apply for the DC Tuition Assistance Grant Program (D.C. TAG)
76%
of undergraduates intern or conduct research choosing from more than 15,000 opportunities at top global organizations
150
Study abroad programs
in 60+ countries
94%
of graduates are employed or continuing their education within 6 months.
$78,000
Early-career median salary
for graduates with 0-5 years of experience
