Feb. 19, 2002
Board of Trustees Approves Tuition Increases for
200203
Plan Calls for Expanded Financial Aid, Classroom Enhancements,
and Graduate Assistant Stipends
By Gretchen
King
The George Washington University Board of Trustees approved a 4.5 percent
overall increase for full-time undergraduate tuition, fees, and room
and food allowance for the 200203 academic year. The Board also
approved a decision to include University, health & wellness, matriculation,
and parent services fees in the cost of tuition, instead of adding them
as separate charges. Tuition and fees will increase by 4.9 percent for
academic year 200203. The room and food allowance increase of
3.2 percent is offset by a $200 reduction in the basic food plan cost.
The additional funding will
be used to enhance the strategic goals of the University, including
investments in new classroom space, housing, technology, and security.
In addition, funding for student financial assistance programs is expected
to rise to more than $94 million, representing an increase in excess
of $9.8 million. The plan also calls for increased stipend funding for
graduate teaching assistants, graduate research assistants, and graduate
administrative assistants; increased funding for Research Enhancement
Incentive Awards for faculty; and initial investments in areas identified
by the University as strategic priorities.
As we establish ourselves
as one of the top universities in the world, we continue to invest in
our students, our faculty, and our campus, says GW President Stephen
Joel Trachtenberg. New investments in classrooms, housing, technology,
and security all speak to GWs number one goal of academic excellence
in a safe and vibrant community. We also recognize the economic challenges
facing our students and their families, and have moved to increase student
financial aid by nearly $10 million.
The Board approved an even
more modest 3.2 percent tuition/fee increase for graduate level students,
down from last years 3.3 percent increase. The GW Law School tuition/fee
increase will be 4.9 percent higher for academic year 200203.
Tuition for students at the School of Medicine and the School of Public
Health and Health Sciences will increase 4 percent for first-year students
and 3 percent for second-, third-, and fourth-year students.
The total amount for tuition
and fees for new undergraduate students and those students who entered
the University in fall 2001 will be $27,820 ($36,930 including room
and food allowance). Students who entered the University in fall 2000
or earlier will pay $27,460 ($36,570 including room and food allowance).
In terms of costs, the increase puts GW in the middle of a 35 university
market basket schools of comparative size, reputation, and offerings
behind such institutions as Hamilton College, Tufts University,
Tulane University, and Duke University.
Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu