GW Bulletin 2007-2008

The George Washington University offers a program of financial assistance for students. Undergraduate aid consists of two basic types: awards for academic achievement or talent without reference to financial circumstances (merit scholarships) and scholarships, grants, loans, and employment based on both academic achievement and demonstrated financial need. All undergraduate gift aid (institutional scholarships and grants and federal grants) requires that the recipient be working on the first undergraduate degree and be registered for a full-time course load on campus at GW. (Financial aid for study abroad is limited to approved programs.) Loans and housing staff positions not based on financial need are available. In general, continuation of undergraduate aid does not extend beyond ten semesters, or the end of the senior year, or the semester in which the number of credits sufficient to graduate is reached, whichever comes first. (A non-GW study abroad semester counts as one of the ten semesters.)

Gift aid (scholarships, grants, fellowships, assistantships, etc.) is taxable to the extent that it exceeds the allowable costs of tuition, fees, and required books and supplies or is dedicated to other costs, such as room and board. Federal grants may be taxable if, together with other gift assistance, they exceed the allowable costs. In the case of a student who is awarded tuition scholarships, grants, or awards from more than one source, the combined amount cannot exceed tuition charges; institutional aid will be adjusted to this limit.

In general, consideration for financial aid is restricted to students in good academic standing who meet the minimum grade-point average for particular awards and are not financially encumbered by any other University office. Awards may be rescinded if satisfactory academic progress standards are not met. Applications for institutional or federal aid cannot be processed if the relevant tax returns have not been filed in accordance with the IRS Code. The University reserves the right to ask for documentation necessary to determine aid eligibility. Documents submitted as part of aid applications become the property of the University and cannot be returned. Federal regulations require that the University report suspected cases of fraud or misrepresentation to the appropriate federal, state, and local authorities.

Information in this section is accurate at the time this Bulletin is prepared for press. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to change financial aid policies as it deems necessary. Additional information is contained in the Financial Aid Sourcebook and the Satisfactory Academic Progress statement available on-line. Future changes in federal regulations or institutional policies may alter the application requirements or program guidelines.

Merit Aid

The University has merit aid programs of scholarships and awards for students with superior academic credentials or talents. These programs are based entirely on merit, without regard to financial need. Renewal is dependent on satisfactory academic progress relevant to the specific award in at least 12 credit hours per semester and the necessary grade-point average. Merit scholarships, including GW-sponsored National Merit Awards, cannot be combined.

Presidential Academic Scholarships—for incoming freshmen. Partial tuition scholarships are awarded to selected finalists in national academic competitions such as National Merit, National Hispanic Scholars, and National Achievement for Outstanding Negro Students. Members of Phi Theta Kappa or Alpha Beta Gamma who are transferring from community or junior colleges and have achieved grade-point averages of 3.7 and above in 56 transferable hours will be considered for partial tuition awards. A GPA of 3.0 (B) on 12 earned credits per semester, exclusive of courses not counted toward graduation, is required for renewal of the Presidential Academic Scholarship.

Merit scholarships are also available to students admitted to the seven-year integrated B.A./M.D. and the six-year B.A./J.D. programs; offering a unique fixed-tuition plan, this arrangement allows families to plan and finance their student’s undergraduate and medical or law education. With this special tuition pricing and scholarship award, students are not eligible for any other GW merit scholarships. These integrated programs require a 3.0 GPA on 15 earned credit hours per semester for renewal.

Presidential Arts Award—partial tuition awards for incoming freshmen who have shown promise in the fine arts and in music, theatre, or dance and who have been selected through the admissions application process for the award. A GPA of 3.0 (B) and the recommendation of the relevant department is required for renewal.

Presidential Recognition Award—a partial tuition award for students currently receiving a merit award who entered GW by fall 2003 and have completed at least 60 credit hours at GW (a minimum of at least 15 credits per semester, excluding summer term). Review for the scholarship is done in May only; and the student must have at least a cumulative GPA of 3.8 for all course work at GW.

Elliott Engineering Honor Scholarships—partial tuition awards are offered to outstanding incoming SEAS students with 30 or more transferable credit hours and a minimum of 3 credits of college-level chemistry or physics and 6 credits of college-level calculus or higher math. Awards may be renewed by current recipients who maintain the required GPA of 3.2 in 12 credits per semester, provided the recipient is enrolled full time in an engineering curriculum.

The J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Scholarship to the University of Oxford is awarded each spring to a graduating senior or recent graduate through a competitive process upon the nominee’s acceptance to Oxford. To be eligible, applicants must have applied for the Rhodes or British Marshall Scholarships. All of these competitions require high academic standing, evidence of leadership, and dedication to the larger society through community service. The Shapiro Scholarship provides up to two years of study at Oxford, equivalent to the Rhodes Scholarship. The J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Endowment funds two scholarships per year—one new and one renewal. The Shapiro Scholarship program began in 1992.

The Bender Scholarship to the University of Cambridge is funded by an endowment, the Bender Scholarship Fund. Every other year, the Bender Scholarship is open for competition. Graduating seniors, recent graduates, and third-year law students who participated in the Rhodes and/or British Marshall competitions are eligible for the Bender Scholarship. The endowed scholarship provides for up to two years of study at the University of Cambridge. The award provides for an educational experience equivalent to that of a British Marshall Scholar attending Cambridge. The Bender Scholarship criteria are high academic achievement, evidence of leadership skills or potential, and community service. The first GW Bender Scholar attended Cambridge in 1992.

Pembroke/GW Program—The George Washington University established a special relationship with Pembroke College in Oxford, whereby up to six GW juniors would be placed at the College for one year and enrolled as fully matriculated students of the University of Oxford. These placements are determined in an annual competition that takes place in the fall. The Committee evaluating candidates forwards to Pembroke College applications of the finalists. Pembroke then makes the final decision on placements. Many GW students have spent a year at Oxford in this program.

Need-Based Aid

The University offers extensive programs of scholarships, grants, loans, and employment based upon demonstrated need. The University participates in the Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Family Education Loans, and the Federal Work–Study program. All applicants are required to file both the PROFILE and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), designating GW to receive their information, and to supply copies of signed federal income tax returns and W2 forms for the current tax year for student and parents (if dependent). For family members employed by an international organization, a letter is required from the employer certifying salary and all benefits. Continuing students also need to submit a GW Financial Aid Application by the April deadline.

Incoming freshmen must file applications and supporting credentials for financial aid by February 1 for the next academic year; transfer students, by April 1. Continuing students must file the PROFILE and FAFSA forms by April 20, and submit the GW Financial Aid Application for Continuing Undergraduate Students and supporting tax documents to the Office of Student Financial Assistance no later than April 20. March 1 is the deadline for the summer sessions. Summer aid is limited to federal or alternative loans. A student must reapply each year for all need-based aid, including need-based scholarships; renewal is contingent upon funds being available when the student completes the application.

The George Washington Guaranteed Grant—The GW Guaranteed Grant is available only to new undergraduate students who entered GW in fall 2004 and thereafter and who are charged full-time tuition according to the University’s fixed-tuition initiative and who receive a need-based financial aid package for their initial period of enrollment at the University. This need-based grant will be part of a student’s initial financial aid package and is guaranteed for up to 10 consecutive semesters of full-time undergraduate enrollment at GW. For renewal of the grant, the student must be enrolled and be charged as a full-time student and must maintain satisfactory academic progress per the guidelines of the Office of Student Financial Assistance. The award will be confirmed upon receipt and review of signed copies of the parents’ and student’s most recent federal tax returns (with requested schedules) and W2 statements. Students showing additional need beyond the GW Guaranteed Grant will be considered for assistance from all other resources administered by the Office of Student Financial Assistance. While this grant can be combined with other institutional need-based grant awards, a student may not receive the GW Guaranteed Grant in combination with merit awards, GW employee benefits, or the GW Family Grant

University Scholarships—Full and partial tuition scholarships begin in the fall semester and may be renewed through the senior year, provided the holder reapplies by the published deadlines, maintains a B− average or better, completes 12 credits per semester, and continues to demonstrate financial need. All applicants for need-based aid are considered for these awards.

Activity Awards—Students may be considered for the following activity awards during the semesters they are actively involved. Additional information can be obtained from the directors of the programs: Cheerleading Award; George F. Henigan Award in Debate; Pep Band Award.

GW Family Tuition Grant

Families with two or more dependent children simultaneously enrolled as full-time undergraduates in a first-time degree program at The George Washington University can apply for the GW Family Grant for the younger sibling(s). This is a half-tuition grant that can be awarded for the full academic year or for the fall or spring semester only and requires that all students being considered are charged the full-time tuition rate for their program. The grant is contingent on the recipient’s and his or her sibling(s)’ maintaining a 2.0 grade-point average and reapplying by the deadline. The grant is not available in any semester in which the older sibling(s) is enrolled in a non-GW-affiliated study abroad program. Contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance or go to gwired.gwu.edu/finaid for an application, which includes submission of a copy of the parents’ federal tax return as verification of the dependent status of the students. International students must provide certification that they are dependent siblings either from their parents’ employer (if an embassy or international organization such as the World Bank or International Monetary Fund) or from GW’s International Services Office. The deadline is July 1 preceding the academic year; applications received after the deadline are awarded on a funds-available basis. The Family Tuition Grant cannot be combined with any GW merit award or the GW Guaranteed Grant.

Loan Funds

Federal Stafford Loans—George Washington University is an eligible participant in the Federal Stafford Loan Program. This is a fixed-rate loan currently at 6.8%. Eligible students may apply for up to $3,500 as freshmen, $4,500 as sophomores, and $5,500 as juniors and seniors. For students who receive Subsidized Stafford funds as part of their need-based financial aid award, the government pays the interest while they are enrolled in school at least half-time and for six months afterward. Students ineligible, or only partly eligible, for subsidized funds may apply for an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan up to the same limits to cover their family contribution. Terms and conditions are the same, except that the student borrower is responsible for all interest that accrues on the unsubsidized loan from the date it is disbursed; deferments are available. Independent students (and students whose parents are denied a PLUS loan) are eligible to borrow additional Unsubsidized Stafford funds of $4,000 as freshmen and sophomores and $5,000 as juniors and seniors.

Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)—George Washington University also participates in the PLUS program. This is a government-sponsored loan that can be used to supplement the student’s Federal Stafford Loan or to help with the family contribution. It is a credit-based, fixed-rate loan currently at 8.5%. Each academic year, parents without an adverse credit history may apply for a PLUS loan up to the cost of education, minus financial aid, for each dependent child attending college at least half-time. Loan repayment begins within 60 days of the last disbursement and the maximum repayment term is 10 years.

Please note that Federal Stafford (Subsidized and Unsubsidized) and Federal PLUS loans are made by lenders, including banks, credit unions, and savings and loan associations. The loans are insured by a guaranty agency and reinsured by the federal government; origination fees are deducted from loan proceeds prior to disbursement. Families who intend to use loan funds for payment of University charges at time of registration should submit a loan application and all supporting documents to the Office of Student Financial Assistance no later than May 1 for the fall semester, October 1 for the spring semester, or March 1 for summer sessions.

Alternative Loans—In partnership with our preferred lenders, GW offers competitive alternative loan options to qualified students. These loans offer attractive interest rates and repayment options. Students and/or families should compare the Stafford, PLUS, and this program to determine which program better fits into the family budget. The loans allow the student to borrow up to 100% of GW’s annual undergraduate cost of attendance less any current financial assistance. More information can be obtained from our website gwired.gwu.edu/finaid.

In addition, the Inner-City Special Student Assistance Loan Fund is available through the GW Multicultural Student Services Center.

Student Employment

The University participates in the Federal Work–Study Program. Inquiries should be addressed to the Office of Student Financial Assistance. Work–study job placement is handled by the Career Center. In addition, the Career Center maintains a registry of both full-time and part-time positions available in the Washington area for undergraduate and graduate students. After registration, students may apply at the Career Center for interviews and referrals to positions for which they are qualified.

International Students

Undergraduate international students with proven financial need who have completed two semesters of full-time work (30 credit hours) at this University with a C average are eligible to apply for University and Alumni Awards. Aid is awarded in the spring for the following academic year. See instructions for applying for undergraduate financial aid, above. For those not filing a U.S. tax return, a letter from the employer, certifying salary and benefits, is required.

Students who wish to study in the United States should have sufficient funds available to cover expenses for one full year before attempting to enter a college or university. The cost at this University for one academic year (September–May) was $51,920 in 2006–07 and will be higher in 2007–08; generally speaking, expenses for international students are about $2,000 over the stated figure, which includes room and board, tuition, books, clothes, and incidental expenses, but not travel, holiday, or medical expenses.

Veterans Benefits

The Veterans Benefits office assists students entitled to educational benefits as active-duty personnel, veterans, or as widows or children of deceased or totally disabled veterans with any problems that may arise concerning their benefits. This office also processes certification of enrollment and attendance to the Veterans Administration so that educational allowances will be paid.

When feasible, students entitled to educational benefits as active-duty personnel, veterans, or dependents of veterans should consult with the veterans counselor prior to submitting applications to the Veterans Administration. All such students should obtain the instruction sheet issued by the veterans counselor; it sets forth requirements to be fulfilled before certification of enrollment can be made to the Veterans Administration and includes other information of general interest. Eligible students should be aware they must be admitted to a degree seeking program by the start of their third semester in order to continue receiving veterans benefits.

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