Home » Financial Aid


Financial Aid

GraduatesAttaining a quality education is critical for achieving job success and personal fulfillment, and to making a significant social contribution. As the value of education rises, the need to finance graduate study becomes greater. The George Washington University (GW) believes that no qualified student should be denied the opportunity to continue his or her academic experience.

The Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration at The George Washington University makes every effort to provide information that will help students identify and take advantage of the financial opportunities available within the school and throughout the university community, as well as from external sources.


About Funding

Assistantships

Graduate research assistants perform part-time research assistance in their fields of study. These are merit-based awards and provide salaries and/or tuition awards. These are typically awarded to new students beginning in the fall semester, for the full academic year. See below for instructions.



Fellowships

The Trachtenberg School also provides merit-based fellowships to some students, and can include stipends and/or tuition awards; See below for instructions.

In addition, GW provides some fellowships and scholarships through the Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships; see below. Further, outside fellowships are also available; these are sponsored by foundations, professional and learned societies, industries, and other organizations.

Teach For America and AmeriCorps Alumni

AmeriCorps and Teach For America Alumni are eligible for funding consideration. See the Admissions FAQs for more information.

Research Appointments
Occasionally, our research centers or faculty members serving as principal investigators on research grants may hire GW students as research assistants. This paid employment is available as grants are received, so there is no specific schedule (i.e., we do not consider applicants for admission for these positions). Announcements are sent to current students (including those who have accepted the offer of admission and have created their GW email account) via the School's student listerv.
Loans and Student Financial Assistance

A number of federal and private loan funds provide graduate loans based on either financial need or creditworthiness. All loans must be repaid, but some loans allow you to defer payment while you are enrolled in school. GW's Office of Student Financial Assistance has complete information on such sources of aid. Click here for detailed student loan and federal financial aid application procedures.

The Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan are two options that will allow some borrowers to be eligible for loan forgiveness after 10 years of qualifying employment and loan payments. The IBR plan considers your adjusted gross income, the size of your debt, and the size of your family--and may lower your monthly loan payments. And if you work in the public or nonprofit sectors, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program may cancel your remaining debt after 10 years and 120 qualifying payments. For more information on eligibility and qualifying, please visit IBR Info or FinAid.

Additional Trachtenberg School opportunities

In addition, the Trachtenberg School offers continuing students (i.e., second year master's students) opportunities. These may include: lab instructor (computer lab), Policy Perspectives editor, and others. Announcements are sent to current students via the School's student listerv.

Current fees and other costs:
Tuition and Estimated Costs
Fees and Financial Regulations (part of the University Bulletin)
Graduate tuition is charged by the credit hour.

Financial aid application process, including forms and deadlines:
Office of Financial Assistance

Tuition billing information:
Colonial Central

 

For TSPPPA assistantship and fellowship consideration:

MPA, MPP, and PhD applicants are reviewed for Trachtenberg School funding by requesting consideration through the online application (question #20). These merit-based awards can be offered only to full-time students. MPA and MPP applicants should also submit an additional letter of recommendation (for a total of two letters of recommendation). No additional materials are necessary for consideration.

 

Additional Funding Opportunities:

As members of the GW community, Tracthtenberg School students also qualify for various grants and fellowships offered throughout the University. The Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships (OGSAF) manages these grants and fellowships. This university-wide office provides students with information on assistantships and fellowships as well as the Federal Work Study program, cooperative education programs, opportunities for international students, and access to sources of outside funding.
  • Fellowships within GW, including:
    Career Development Fellowship    : intended to assist students in specified programs who are working either full or part time and are pursuing or wish to pursue graduate (Master's level) study at GW to enhance their knowledge and skills.
    Scottish Rite Fellowship: for U.S. citizens affiliated with a U.S. Scottish Rite Organization. An applicant's great-grandfather, grandfather, father, uncle or self must be or have been a 32 degree Scottish Rite member. (full and part time students can apply)
    The Walter Green Fellowships are for Master's students who intend a career in public service or government and are working in a paid job or internship for at least 15 hours a week. (full and part time students can apply but GW employees are not eligible)


  • Fellowships outside of GW, including:
    Bryce Harlow Foundation Scholarships: for part-time students who plan a career in business/government relations focusing on best practices in advocacy. (Requires University Endorsement)
    The Morris K. Udall Foundation Dissertation Scholarships: awards two one-year fellowships for doctoral candidates whose research concerns U.S. environmental public policy and/or environmental conflict resolution and who are entering their final year of writing the dissertation.
    Wolcott Fellowship: for young scholars with extremly high GPAs and GREs as well as outstanding academic, civic, and social credentials who intend to pursue public service careers.

  • Fellowships for international students, including the Global Leaders Fellowship.

  • Funding for study abroad

Also see:
IRIS Fellowships Database
Accessible from the GW computing network. Many other colleges and universities also subscribe to this database; non-GW students may be able to access through their alma mater's library website.

COS Funding Opportunities Database
Accessible from the GW computing network. Many other colleges and universities also subscribe to this database; non-GW students may be able to access through their alma mater's library website.

back to top


Veteran's Benefits
Active-duty personnel, veterans, or dependents of veterans may be entitled to varying educational benefits. To be eligible, veterans must have completed at least one year of active service in the U.S. Armed Forces, unless discharged under honorable conditions for medical reasons.

George Washington University is proud to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

For more information, contact:
The Office of Student Financial Assistance
Assistant Director/Veterans Affairs
2121 Eye Street, NW, Rice Hall 310
The George Washington University
Washington, DC 20052

Applicants should consult with a GW veterans counselor before submitting an application to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

back to top

 
© 2013 The George Washington University