Board Approves Tuition for Class of 2009

November 2004

The George Washington University Board of Trustees has approved the continuation of the University’s innovative fixed tuition plan for the 2005–06 academic year. The fixed tuition program is a flat rate for up to five years for full-time students. The Board voted at its October meeting on the fixed tuition fee for full-time undergraduates (entering freshmen and transfer students in the 2005–06 academic year) to accommodate high school seniors applying early decision for Fall 2005.

Under the fixed-price plan, freshmen who receive institutional financial aid also can rely on a defined minimum amount of aid during this time, provided they continue to make satisfactory academic process and remain in good academic standing at the University. This guaranteed minimum amount of aid can be increased utilizing other funding sources should a student’s need increase, during the four or five years of undergraduate enrollment.

GW President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg said, “We are gratified with the overwhelming positive response to the University’s fixed tuition initiative, designed to take the mystery out of the cost of higher education. Bolstered by feedback from current and prospective students and their families, we are pleased to continue this innovative program for the next academic year.”

Under the Board-approved plan, fixed tuition for incoming freshmen will be $36,370 per year for their entire undergraduate experience, up to five years total.
Fifty eight percent of this year’s freshman class receives institutional financial assistance totaling $28 million in aid. The average award from GW grants exceeds $17,000 per freshman, amounting to nearly half of the fixed tuition for 2004–05.

“Knowing what the tuition and institutional financial assistance package is now benefits students and parents as we work with the University to finance our son’s education,” said Jodi Fishman-Osti, parent of a current GW freshman. “It’s an effective strategy that more colleges should employ if they want to remain competitive.”

Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu