GWU VA: Higher EdDoctoral Program: Financial Aid

MERIT AID AWARDS

The purpose for extending merit aid to the Higher Education Administration (HEA) doctoral students at the Virginia campus is rooted in the need to attract and retain high quality applicants to the program. In support of this belief, the program would offer limited merit aid to students for course work. Merit aid would be awarded each year to a limited number of students from each cohort on a competitive basis.

All awards are merit based and they will be awarded to both new and continuing students

Three types of awards will be considered, Fellowship, Scholarship, and Tuition Aid: 50% reduction in credit hours, 25% reduction in credit hours, and the awarding of a specific dollar amount to cover GWU Virginia campus rate coursework, respectively

Fellowships and scholarships are only available for students who take a full-time course load (9 credit hours per semester)

Awards are for one year and students must reapply for subsequent years

Deadline for merit based aid applications for Fall 2007-Spring 2008 applications is April 2, 2007. Merit Aid Application Form

LOANS AND VETERANS BENEFITS

The Office of Student Financial Assistance at The George Washington University main campus in Washington, DC, coordinates the awarding of federal aid, including the student loan programs. To apply for financial aid, carefully follow instructions on the Graduate page for How to Apply. It is important to visit all the links on the left side bar of the Financial Aid for Graduate Students page, particularly the Entrance/Exit Counseling, deadlines and forms pages.

For extensive information on Federal Financial Aid programs and processes, you can 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).

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; five during the summer). In addition, you cannot be in default on any previous student loans.

One form required by all federal loan programs is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which you must submit to the federal processor by the deadline (May 1st) 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 question #18 ("Do you plan to apply for a Federal Stafford Loan, Perkins Loan, or work-study position from this University?") on the GW Application for Graduate Admission.

Continuing students can view their personal financial aid and student account information, as well as other personal records, by visiting GWeb.

ALL STUDENT LOANS MUST BE CERTIFIED BY THE OFFICE OF STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

- 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

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, tuition awards/scholarships, 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.

Federal Campus-Based Aid - GW's allocation of funds is limited for the Federal Perkins Loan program. To be considered, you must first receive a subsidized Federal Stafford Loan.

Office of Student Financial Assistance
2121 Eye Street, NW • Rice Hall, 3rd Floor
The George Washington University • Washington, DC 20052
(202) 994-6620; (800) 222-6242 Voice • (202) 994-0906 Fax

Veterans Benefits

For information on Veterans Benefits, please visit the VA website. One of the options available on the left sidebar is Downloadable Forms and Benefits Applications]. If you’ve never used your veterans benefits, you will need to print and fill out the 8-page 22-1990-Application for VA Education Benefits. You can contact a VA counselor by dialing 1-888-442-4551 or 1-800-827-1000 to confirm the benefits to which you are entitled and the necessary form(s) you need to complete. To file, send the completed form, including any required attachments or signatures, to:

The George Washington University
Attn: Judy Mancuso
44983 Knoll Square, Suite 307
Ashburn, VA 20147-2604

GW's Office of Graduate Student Assistantships & Fellowships

The GW Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships (OGSAF) provides general information and a wide variety of assistance with graduate support opportunities. This office maintains fellowship information for current students, newly-admitted students and GW alumni. Most awards require application up to a year in advance. The Fellowship Office is located in Rice Hall, Room 603, 2121 Eye St., N.W., (202) 994-6828, www.gwu.edu/~fellows/fellows.html.

Higher Education Administration Program - Virginia Campus

MERIT AID AWARDS