Funding Your Graduate Education

 

 

 

Explore Costs & Financial Aid

The list of options and opportunities below is not comprehensive, but it is a great start to learn more about options for funding your graduate education.

If you have questions about tuition and fees or need support regarding financial aid, contact the GSEHD Tuition Support Team at gsehdts@gwu.edu.

For additional information and support regarding financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Assistance >

 

Tuition & Fees

To gather an understanding of the cost for your degree, review the current tuition rates and additional fees on your program's page or GW’s Graduate Tuition page (select GSEHD). Tuition is charged per credit, and program fees may vary based on delivery/campus. Additional fees may apply. Gain a comprehensive view of fees on the Student Accounts page.

For planning purposes, the Office of Financial Aid provides a COA worksheet to create an estimated Cost of Attendance based on a specific loan period, tuition rate and campus of attendance.

Download Worksheet and Estimate Cost of Attendance >

 

 

FAFSA Support

In order to apply for financial aid from GW, you must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The form is available each year on October 1.

GW’s Office of Student Financial Assistance should be your main point of contact for all questions related to the FAFSA. Be sure to follow the steps outlined on their How To Apply page.

Once you've completed your online application, the data is transferred electronically to schools, based on the school code included on your application.

students walk toward Kogan Plaza, beautiful yellow fall leaves on trees, sculpture in background

 


 

Plan Your Funding Search

The best time to start thinking about funding your graduate program is NOW! After you've reviewed the funding opportunities available at GW and determined your cost of attendance, it's time to make a plan to find funding. Many external and internal award competitions open up to one year before funding is dispersed, so interested students should begin looking for opportunities as soon as they consider pursuing graduate studies, even if they have not been admitted to GW yet. 

 

icon of calendar and piggy bank

Newly Admitted Students: Schedule a Financial Aid Advising Appointment

Have questions about funding your education? Admitted students are invited to schedule a virtual meeting with Director of Admissions, Rebecca Vander Schaff.

Schedule Appointment

Not available during allotted times? Register to attend an "Ask Me Anything: Financial Aid" virtual session.


 

""

Scholarships

GSEHD Merit Scholarships


Merit scholarships are awarded to a competitive pool of new and continuing students on the criteria of academic merit, contributions to the GSEHD community, and input from a committee of reviewers, including program faculty members. GSEHD merit scholarships are limited and are typically one-year, nonrenewable, partial tuition scholarships.

Please note: Merit Scholarships are managed by GSEHD. For questions or support, contact the GSEHD Tuition Support Team at gsehdts@gwu.edu.


Scholarship Awarding Process and Timeline

  • New students must have fully completed their application for admission in order to be considered for funding.
    • You will be notified via your acceptance letter if you have received a merit scholarship.
  • Continuing Students:
    • The deadline for the Fall 2024-Spring 2025 Merit Scholarship was March 1, 2024. Late applications will not be considered.
    • Please apply only after your Fall 2023 grades have posted.
    • Please review all qualifications and conditions below to determine whether or not you are eligible to apply for GSEHD merit scholarships.
    • Awards decisions will be announced beginning in May.

Merit Scholarship Eligibility

  • Merit is determined based on a holistic application review.
  • Whether or not you received an award in previous years has no bearing on your eligibility for future awards.
  • Students who received a multi-year award upon admission that includes the upcoming academic year are not eligible to receive additional GSEHD merit scholarships.
  • Certificate, Post-Master’s Certificate, and Education Specialist candidates are not eligible to receive GSEHD merit scholarships.
  • GW employees receiving employee tuition benefits are not eligible for merit scholarships.
  • Awardees must not have outstanding financial obligations to the University.
  • Awardees must be registered for the minimum required number of on-campus credit hours per semester as outlined in the scholarship award letter they receive.

Conditions of Merit Scholarships

  • Students will only receive an award if they are enrolled in at least 6 credits for both semesters of the following academic year.
  • Awardees must maintain a good academic standing.
  • Merit scholarships cannot exceed the cost of tuition.
  • Once an applicant accepts an award, they must meet and maintain the conditions specified in the award letter. If any of these conditions are not met, the award will not be posted to the Student Account or may be revoked.
     
GSEHD Summer 2024 Scholarships

Scholarship Awarding Process and Timeline

  • Continuing Students:
    • DEADLINE: The deadline for Summer 2024 scholarship applications was February 15, 2024. Late applications will not be considered. 
    • Awards decisions will be announced beginning in mid-March.

 


Summer Scholarship Eligibility

  • GW employees receiving employee tuition benefits are not eligible for additional GSEHD scholarships.
  • Awardees must not have outstanding financial obligations to the University.

Conditions of Summer Scholarships

  • Awardees must maintain a good academic standing.
  • Scholarships cannot exceed the cost of tuition.
  • Once an applicant accepts an award, they must meet and maintain the conditions specified in the award letter. If any of these conditions are not met, the award will not be posted to the Student Account or may be revoked.
     

Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Scholarship for Incoming Students


Students who graduated from a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) are eligible to be considered for GSEHD’s MSI Scholarship at the time of admission. A limited number of MSI Scholarships provide a tuition discount of 20%. It is possible to be awarded additional scholarship based on the strength of the application.

To be considered, indicate in your application for admission that you graduated from a MSI and that you are interested in receiving funding.

MSI Scholarship Eligibility

  • All applicants from an approved MSI are eligible regardless of race, ethnicity, or national origin.
  • Master’s and Doctoral candidates are eligible for consideration.
    • Certificate, Post-Master’s Certificate, and Education Specialist candidates are not eligible to receive GSEHD scholarships.
  • GW employees receiving employee tuition benefits are not eligible for GSEHD scholarships.
  • Awardees must not have outstanding financial obligations to the University.
  • Awardees must be registered for the minimum required number of on-campus credit hours per semester as outlined in the award letter they receive.
    • Part-time study is considered at least 6 credits.
    • Full-time study is considered at least 9 credits.
       
External Scholarships


The list of external scholarships below is not a comprehensive list of all available scholarships, but it does include opportunities that have been vetted by our GSEHD staff and are available for graduate students.

 

Open to All Students

Scholarships that do not require enrollment in a specific program or are exclusive to a specific demographic

Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund
Program: Any Humanities or Social Sciences

NACA Foundation Graduate Scholarships
Program: Any

Violet and Cyril Franks Scholarship
Program: Any
 

Specific to Area of Study

Scholarships that indicate they are specific to a program/area of study (i.e., just for students in counseling)

American Psychological Association (APA) Grants, Awards and Funding
Programs: CNSL

The Melanie Foundation Scholarship
Programs: Doctoral or Master’s in the Mental Health Field

PDK Educational Foundation Scholarship Program
Programs: EDUC

BHD Endowed Scholarships for Teachers
Programs: EDUC, SPED

James Madison Graduate Fellowships
Programs: Ed Leadership

 

Demographic or Identity-Specific

Scholarships that indicate they are specific to a particular demographic (women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA, first gen student, etc.) 

American Association of School Personnel Administrators Leon Bradley Scholarship Program
Program: EDUC
Student Identity: Minority candidate seeking initial teaching certification endorsement

Asian American Leaders in Mental Health Scholarship
Program: Counseling Licensure Programs
Student Identities: Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian Multiracial ethnicity

Katharine Scallan Scholarship
Program: Any
Student Identities: American Indian tribal and Alaska Native graduate students

NWSA Graduate Scholarship
Program: Any
Student Identity: Women

Point Foundation LGBTQIA BIPOC Scholarship
Program: Any
Student Identities: Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) communities and LGBTQ

 

Research and Dissertation Grants and Scholarships

Scholarships that support graduate student research or conference involvement, especially dissertation research

- - Check back soon - - 

Scholarship Search Tools


We encourage you to explore additional funding opportunities. GW subscribes to two national databases, Grant Forward and Pivot, for GW graduate students. We recommend that you use specific search terms (e.g., relevant to your background, program of study, career path) when searching to narrow your results.

Outside of these databases, we recommend you utilize the various search engines below to discover funding that can support your study and goals while at GW.

International Students


The Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships (OGSAF) has compiled the following list of external resources for finding funding for international students. The list is not comprehensive of all available resources, but they have been vetted by GW staff.

Undocumented Students


The Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships (OGSAF) has compiled the following list of external resources for finding funding for undocumented students. The list is not comprehensive of all available resources, but they have been vetted by GW staff.


 


 

""

Endowments

Overview & Application Information

 

Endowment awards allow the best and brightest students to attend GW, regardless of financial situation, and provide students the freedom to pursue the career of their choice after graduation.

Though GSEHD endowments are competitive, students from all backgrounds and from around the world may receive scholarships. Many return the favor, building a legacy of support that spans generations. Awardees are encouraged to meet or write a letter to their donor.

New and continuing students may apply for up to three (3) endowment funds each academic year. A list of available endowments is provided below. Some endowments are available to all GSEHD students, while others are awarded to students in specific fields of study.

Selection of awardees may consider:

  • Endowment's relevance to student's experience;
  • Articulation of need, which can describe any hardships faced;
  • Student's professional commitments and interests reflecting maturity and self-awareness;
  • and Potential contributions to the chosen field of study.
     

Apply for 2024-2025 Endowments

  • Please review the eligibility requirements and conditions below to determine whether or not you are able to apply for GSEHD endowment awards.
  • DEADLINE: The deadline for new and continuing students to submit their endowment application was February 15, 2024. Late applications will not be considered. 
     
Eligibility & Conditions

 

Endowment Eligibility

  • Students enrolled in online and off-campus programs are not eligible to receive GSEHD endowments.
  • Certificate, Post-Master’s Certificate, and Education Specialist candidates are not eligible to receive GSEHD merit scholarships.
  • GW employees receiving employee tuition benefits are not eligible for merit scholarships.
  • Awardees must not have outstanding financial obligations to the University.
  • Awardees must be registered for the minimum required number of on-campus credit hours per semester as outlined in the award letter they receive.
    • Part-time study is considered at least 6 credits.
    • Full-time study is considered at least 9 credits.

Conditions of the Award

  • Awards are granted for both the fall and spring semesters. Funds cannot be used in one semester only or extend into subsequent semesters.
  • Students should only apply if they plan to be enrolled in at least 6 credits for both semesters of the following academic year.
  • Awardees must maintain a good academic standing.
  • Endowment awards cannot exceed the cost of tuition.
  • Once an applicant accepts an award, they must meet and maintain the conditions specified in the award letter. If any of these conditions are not met, the award will not be posted to the Student Account or may be revoked.
     
Program-Specific Endowments

 

The Angeline E. Anderson Scholarship Fund
Eligible Programs of Study: School Counseling, Secondary Education or Special Education

Established in 1990 by a gift from Angeline E. Anderson (BA '41, MA '44), to assist outstanding future classroom teachers. Ms. Anderson, the recipient of a scholarship to attend GW, enjoyed a career that included university and secondary school teaching and counseling. The scholarship in her name perpetuates her devotion to assisting students who can improve the quality of classroom teaching. The Fund is used to support full-time or part-time students in financial need who plan teaching careers in U.S. schools.


The Corey Hansen Scholarship Endowment
Eligible Programs of Study: Secondary Education

Established in 2000 by Walter Hansen and Marilyn Jackson. The Fund is a memorial to Mr. Hansen's son, Dr. Corey James Hansen, a School alumnus and GW secondary education faculty member and program director. This fund is used to support secondary education students who exemplify Dr. Hansen's values and dedication to the field of teaching and administration.


The Dr. Dorothy A. Moore Graduate Scholarship Endowment for International Education
Eligible Programs of Study: International Education

Established in 2002. The income from this fund awards scholarships to GSEHD students pursuing degrees in international education. The award is merit based.


The Eaves-Carden Scholarship Fund
Eligible Programs of Study: Elementary Education

Established in 1993 with gifts from the estate of Ruth Anderson Eaves and from Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wendell Eaves, Jr. The Fund honors the memory of family members who attended GW: Robert Wendell Eaves (MA '33, EdD '40), Ruth Anderson Eaves, Samuel Poe Carden (BA '18, MA '29), and Mary Stuart Anderson Carden (BAE '35, MAE '45). This distinguished family of educators leaves a lasting legacy by supporting outstanding students entering elementary school administration. The Fund helps support a student pursuing a graduate degree with an elementary school administration emphasis.


The James Harold Fox Scholarship Fund
Eligible Programs of Study: Elementary Education, Secondary Education or Special Education

Created in 1984 by a gift from Angeline E. Anderson in honor of James Harold Fox, Dean of the School of Education from 1938 to 1963. Ms. Anderson and Dr. Fox were dedicated to improving the quality of the classroom experience. The Fund is to be used for scholarships for full or part-time educators planning careers in public or private school teaching. Students with disabilities and financial need are given preference.


The Mary H. Futrell Scholarship Fund
Eligible Programs of Study: Classroom instructors and counselors

Honors Dr. Futrell (MA '68, EdD '92), for her service in a precedent-setting six-year term as President of the National Education Association (NEA). The Fund recognizes her many contributions to human rights and public service. Colleagues and NEA chapters across the nation contributed to the Fund. This scholarship is for full- or part-time students with modest resources pursuing or continuing careers as classroom teachers or counselors.


The Vest Family Fellowship Fund
Eligible Programs of Study: Higher Education Administration, Education Policy Studies, Curriculum & Instruction, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, or School Counseling

Created in 1996 by a gift from Edward N. Vest (BA '59, MA '65, EdD '72), distinguished educator and school administrator, to honor his parents, Edward Harrison and Mildred Grimes Vest, and his wife Lucia Johnson Vest and himself, provides tuition scholarships for educators preparing for, or engaged in, a career in administration, teaching, or counseling in public schools.

 

General Endowments

 

The Griffith Family Scholarship Fund

Created in August 2000 by a gift from the estate of Lera Evelyn Griffith (AB '52, MA '55), elementary teacher and school principal, and by gifts from Griffith family descendants and their families to honor the family members who were GW alumni. Interest from the Griffith Family Endowment will provide need-based support for students planning a career in education.


The Mary-Margaret Cashell Kellogg Scholarship Fund

Established in 1997 by Mrs. Kellogg to provide tuition assistance for a Graduate School of Education and Human Development degree candidate with financial need. Her father and nephew both received GW medical science degrees, and she earned an M.A. in education in 1955. A private school teacher and dean of students at Dickinson College, she serves on Simon's Rock College (MS) Board of Overseers.


The Mildred Green Scholarship Fund

Created in 1959 by a gift from the GW Chapter of Pi Lambda Theta, a professional education sorority, to honor Ms. Green, the Chapter's founder and first president. She created the national school-crossing guard program which is credited with saving the lives of countless school children. This fund is used to recognize an educator with great potential.


The National Council for Education and Human Development Endowed Scholarship Fund

Available to any Graduate School of Education and Human Development student.


The Ruth Ann Parker Wells Scholarship (Wells 1)

Established by a gift from Mrs. Wells in 1996. She and her mother both graduated from The Graduate School of Education and Human Development. Her mother taught business courses at Hine Junior High School and she worked for the Electric Institute of Washington, demonstrating the use of electric equipment, which helped revolutionize the way housework was done.


The Ruth Anne Parker and David Leonard Wells Scholarship (Wells 2)

Available to any Graduate School of Education and Human Development student.


The Vincent De Angelis Scholarship Fund
Eligible Programs of Study: Any - with special consideration for applicants with previous study or experience in the Physical Education field

Created in 1983 by a gift from Eleanor V. De Angelis in memory of her husband, Vincent J. De Angelis, an outstanding athlete, GW administrator and faculty member, mentor of students and Department Chair in Physical Education. Eleanor De Angelis has taken many leadership roles in Columbian Women and at the University. Through lifetime contributions to GW, the De Angelis's typify those special members of the GW community whose lives continue to benefit students and enhance the School and the University. This fund is used for GSEHD full-time or part-time master's or doctoral students. Preference is given to those students who have earned an undergraduate degree in Physical Education.
 


 


 

""

Fellowships & Awards

  

GW Awards

 

AmeriCorps Matching Award - For incoming students who are recipients of an AmeriCorps Award.

Grad2Grad - For talented graduating GW seniors who want to continue their studies at GW by providing a 10% reduction in tuition.

The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships - Provides "New Americans" (either naturalized citizens, children of naturalized citizens, or green card holders) with a maintenance grant of $20,000 and a half-tuition award for graduate study in the United States. Candidates should possess creativity, originality, and initiative; commitment to and capacity for accomplishment; and commitment to the values expressed in the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Phi Delta Gamma Scholarship Fund - Current GW graduate students who have completed at least 9 credits in a graduate degree program based on the Foggy Bottom campus.

Scottish Rite Fellowships - For graduate students affiliated with the Scottish Rite except law and M.D. students.

Walter Green Fellowships - For graduate students who intend a career in public service or government and will be working in a job or internship, paid or unpaid.
 

Ronald McNair Graduate Fellowship

 

The Ronald E. McNair Graduate Fellowship is only available for students who were McNair Scholars as undergraduates at other universities, and are accepted for graduate study at GW in CCAS, ESIA, GSEHD, GWSB and SEAS. Students in GWSPH, SMHS, and Law are not eligible. Online degree programs and executive programs are also not eligible. Students should hold a minimum 3.0 GPA.
 
Candidates are prospective first time doctoral students. Current master’s students who were McNair Scholars and were not previous GW McNair Award recipients will also be considered. Master’s nominees should have demonstrated plans to continue in a doctoral program after completion of their master’s degree.

Expected Awards for the Academic Year

  • Doctoral awards: Inclusive of up to 18 credits in tuition and a $25,000 stipend for full-time study. Awards are renewable for up to two years (for a total of three years ). These awards do not cover summer sessions. Doctoral McNair Fellowships should be supplemented with School/College graduate assistantships (GA or GRA) for two additional years (beyond the three year McNair award).
  • Master’s awards: Inclusive of up to 20 credits in tuition for full-time study. These awards do not cover summer sessions and are non-renewable.

Application Process

Candidates must be nominated by the school/college via email to elavelle@gwu.edu with:

  • A ranked list of up to 3 applicants (doctoral and/or master’s)
  • Student’s Application for Admission
  • Nomination letter from the chair of department or director of the program (or designee) supporting applicants preparation for success in graduate study and specifies that doctoral nominees will receive two additional years of support (assistantship/fellowship)
  • master’s applicants plan of study and/or expressed intent demonstrates expectation to pursue a doctoral program
     
Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships (OGSAF)


The Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships (OGSAF) is the best place to start to learn more about available fellowships. Learn more about internal fellowship opportunities and external fellowships


 


 

""

Campus Employment Opportunities

  

Graduate/Research Assistantships


The George Washington University has two graduate assistantship (GA) options, which are: graduate assistantships (GA) and graduate research assistantships (GRA). GA and GRA positions vary in terms of payment and duties. Academic departments within the schools and colleges make appointments for these positions. These positions are limited, highly competitive and not available in all departments. Interested candidates will want to indicate their interest in a GA position on their admissions application, if applicable. New GSEHD doctoral candidates are automatically considered for available GSEHD Graduate Assistantships and will be contacted directly if the faculty see alignment of research interests and skills. Learn more about assistantships >
 

GW Employment


Graduate students have opportunities to engage in part-time or full-time work to fund their studies. Be sure to take note of the time and hours a given job requires, as many positions may not be compatible with full-time graduate level study or class schedules. Please note that international students are typically restricted from working more than 20 hours per week, and may not be eligible for some job opportunities that require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

The GW Jobs site, maintained by GW Human Resource Management and Development, provides information about full-time and regular part-time positions. The University offers faculty, staff, and research personnel in a benefit-eligible position (both full- and part-time) an outstanding benefit that covers a portion of tuition expenses. The tuition benefit is available to employees enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, as well as non-degree-seeking employees. Under the benefit, up to 90 percent of tuition and expenses are paid, with no repayment obligation, for eligible employees. Furthermore, spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children also receive substantial remission coverage, which increases with tenure.

Graduate students employed full- or part-time on a research grant may use their tuition benefits immediately if they begin their employment before the first day of classes.

For additional information, please contact the GW Benefits Call Center.
 

Student Employment

Student Employment is an option for students to work in a part-time position in which the student earns an hourly wage. Review current students job openings on the GW Student Employment portal.
 
Federal Work Study


The Federal Work Study Program is a federally-funded work program that allows students who qualify to earn money while working at a pre-approved organization: GW departments, local nonprofits, government agencies, and community service employers. The university does not place students in specific jobs but assistance is available from the Center for Career Services. Please contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance for questions about Work-Study.
 


 


 

""

Additional Options/Programs

  

Grad2Grad


Current undergraduate students at the George Washington University (GW) may be eligible to participate in the Grad2Grad program to continue graduate study (master's and graduate certificate programs) at GW. Students eligible for Grad2Grad who are admitted to GSEHD will receive a 10% reduction in the cost of your tuition. It is possible to receive additional funding from a GSEHD’s Merit Scholarship based on the strength of the application.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact the Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships at gradfell@gwu.edu or 202-994-6822.
 

Emergency Funding: Tuition Charges


GW recognizes that there are times during which a student will need emergency support, whether for personal expenses, textbooks or additional Campus Cash for meals. The University offers a number of funds, in the form of loans and grants, to help address emergencies that arise. Learn more about emergency funding >

For students who have a hold for tuition charges between $1,000-$2,000:

The University has three emergency loan funds which can be used to reduce a student’s account balance by up to $1000. This will enable a student to have a hold lifted so that he or she may register for the next semester. They are:

  • Jessie B. Martin Emergency Loan Fund
  • Peter and Doris Firsht Student Loan Fund
  • Barney Plotnick, MD, Student Loan Fund

Submit Application >

If you have questions, please contact uself@gwu.edu.

Once the student completes the application, the monies are applied directly to the student accounts bill. This does not reduce the debt that the student owes to the University, but redistributes it, giving the student the ability to register.

For repayment, funds are charged to the applicant’s student account once the student has registered for the desired semester or after 30 days, whichever comes first. Charging the funds back increases the balance to the original amount owed. This loan fund does give the student some extra time to come up with the funds to pay the student account balance down to zero.

 

Veterans Benefits


The George Washington University is committed to providing our student veterans, dependents, and military personnel with both student support services and student administrative services. The Office of Military and Veteran Student Services can assist and answer questions related to both Post 9/11 and Yellow Ribbon awards. GW will match Yellow Ribbon awards that are made.

Active duty military personnel may also use the Department of Defense (DOD) Tuition Assistance (TA) Program at GW. Students should confer with the education office of their service branch for information on TA procedures.
 

Loan and Loan Forgiveness

 

Loans

If you are applying for federal student loans, you will need to complete the GW Graduate Loan Questionnaire in addition to the FAFSA. 

GW’s Office of Student Financial Assistance should be your main point of contact for all questions related to the FAFSA and loan process.

 

Loan Forgiveness