1Financial Aid FAQ
GW Tuition, Billing and Financial Aid FAQs
Tuition and Billing 2
GW Student Portal 4
Financial Aid at George Washington University 5
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 8
Direct Unsubsidized Loan 9
Direct Graduate PLUS Loan 11
Loan Deferment and Repayment 14
Military Education Benefits 15
Tax Benefits for Education 17
2Financial Aid FAQ
Financial Aid FAQ
Tuition and Billing
How much does the MPH@GWU program cost?
Tuition is based on the number of credits for which
you register. Current tuition rates can be found on
the MPH tuition and nancial aid page.
Are there additional fees assessed on top of tuition?
For online students, there is a $35 registration fee
assessed every semester. Visit the Student Accounts
page for information on graduate tuition and fees.
Can any fees be waived for online students?
Fees cannot be waived for online students.
How much is the enrollment deposit, and when is
it due?
There is a $300 non-refundable enrollment deposit
due once admitted.
Can I use nancial aid to cover the deposit?
Federal student aid cannot be used to pay the deposit.
Will I be able to view my award package before
submitting the deposit?
There will be an estimated award letter made
available to you prior to completing your deposit.
It takes about 4-6 weeks to process an estimated
award letter. Please keep this timeline in mind and
apply for admissions and nancial aid sooner rather
than later to view everything in a timely manner.
Please note that you will not be able to view or
accept your loan on BanWeb until after the deposit
has been paid.
When will I receive a tuition bill and when is
payment due?
Payment deadlines are listed on the Student
Accounts page.
How do I view my bill?
The George Washington University bills by semester
according to the residential academic calendar.
Tuition costs are determined by the number of credits
enrolled. Statements are available approximately
4-6 weeks prior to the start of the Fall and Spring
semesters and approximately 3-4 weeks prior to
the Summer semester. An email notication is sent
when the bill is ready to view. We do not mail paper
statements; all billing is done electronically through
the Student Account eBill. Students always have
access to their eBill and Student Account status
through GWeb. Students are strongly encouraged to
check their Student Account regularly to ensure that
the account is in good standing. Students can add
Authorized Users (e.g., a parent, relative, spouse, etc.)
so they may also review account activity and/or make
online payments on the Student Account’s page.
What are the accepted forms of payment?
For students using personal funds the accepted
forms of payments are electronic checks, credit
cards, or paper checks.
How does my employer go about paying the school?
Information about Third Party Billing can be found at
the Student Accounts page. Email thirdparty@gwu.
edu for more information.
Are payment plan options available for online
students?
The GW Student Accounts Ofce provides an option
to pay tuition in monthly payments, with xed due
dates for each term. The monthly payment plan
enables students or their authorized users to pay
current Fall and Spring semester tuition and fees
in ve equal payments per semester and current
Summer semester tuition in three equal payments.
Read more information on the Monthly Payment Plan.
3Financial Aid FAQ
What are the consequences if my tuition bill is not
paid when classes begin?
The Student Accounts Ofce applies nancial
fees and holds for outstanding balances, returned
checks, and bad addresses. These holds prevent
students from registering for additional courses,
receiving transcripts, and receiving their diploma.
If I’m eligible to receive a refund, what is
the process?
Student accounts that have been overpaid will
show a credit balance. Refunds resulting from the
crediting of Title IV funds will be automatically
generated within time frames as required by federal
regulations. For all other refunds, students can
choose to leave the credit on the account to apply
to a future term, move all or a portion of the credit
to their GWorld card, or request a refund. For the
policy and procedures for refunds, please review the
Student Tuition Refund Policy.
What is the Title IV Authorization?
By completing the Title IV Authorization, found in
MyGW, GW can apply your federal aid to all your
charges, such as medical insurance, parking nes
and other miscellaneous charges.
Who can I contact at GWU for billing and
payment questions?
For questions regarding billing and payments,
connect with the Student Accounts Ofce.
4Financial Aid FAQ
Financial Aid FAQ
GW Student Portal
What is GWU student portal?
Your MyGW account includes access to academic
records, billing, nancial aid, direct deposit set up,
and more. You will need your GWU ID and Password
to log into MyGW.
How do I set up my GWU ID and Password?
The GWeb Information System, sometimes referred
to as Banner or Banner Self Service, allows online
access to GW student services, such as registering
for classes, viewing student accounts, viewing
grades and accepting nancial aid. Students are
assigned a GWeb account and pin when they have
been accepted and signied their intent to attend
GW, by paying a deposit. Faculty and staff are
assigned a GWeb account and pin as part of the
Human Resources hiring and intake process.
To log into GWeb, you must use your GWid,
which is an alphanumeric value used to identify
an individual’s records within GW’s administrative
systems. Your GWid is the letter G followed by an
8-digit number. You must also use a PIN, which is
usually a 6-digit number, to log in to the GWeb
Information System. If you have forgotten your
GWid, you may submit a GWid retrieval request.
How do I set up my GWU email address?
For information regarding setting up your GWU
email address please visit the “Activate your GWU
email” webpage.
5Financial Aid FAQ
Financial Aid FAQ
Financial Aid at GW
Does GWU offer internal scholarships to
online students?
GWU awards both merit-based scholarships and
partner organization benets to outstanding
students whose professional and academic
achievements set them apart as leaders in the eld.
Please reach out to your Admissions Counselor
about scholarship opportunities.
Are there GWU specic supplemental nancial aid
forms I need to complete?
If you plan to apply for federal student aid, you will
need to complete the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA), Entrance Counseling, and
Loan Agreement (MPN) in order for your loans to
be disbursed. Complete Loan Counseling on the
Federal Student Aid website. Be sure to complete
the documentation for the appropriate loan. If
you are borrowing the Direct Unsubsidized Loan,
complete the requirements listed as subsidized/
unsubsidized loan.
If you plan to borrow the graduate PLUS loan or a
private/alternative loan, you are also required to
complete the Loan Questionnaire Form. Make sure
you select the appropriate academic year for the
appropriate form.
What federal student aid is available to
graduate students?
The types of federal student aid graduate students
are eligible to apply for include the Federal Direct
Unsubsidized Loan and the Federal Direct Graduate
PLUS loan. The FAFSA is the unsubsidized loan
application, meaning if you complete the FAFSA
you will automatically be considered for the federal
unsubsidized loan. If you need an additional federal
loan, you may apply for the graduate PLUS loan
which has additional requirements to the FAFSA.
Learn more about the types of federal student aid.
Why are graduate students not eligible for the
Federal Pell Grant or the Federal Subsidized Loan?
The Department of Education awards Federal Pell
Grants and Direct Subsidized Loans to eligible
undergraduate students who demonstrate nancial
need and have not yet completed their bachelor’s
degrees. The Department of Education does not
evaluate need or income for loans at the graduate or
professional level. Therefore, graduate students are
not eligible for the Federal Pell Grant nor the Direct
Subsidized Loan.
Are there academic requirements I must meet to
receive federal student aid?
Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic
Progress (SAP) to continue receiving nancial aid.
The requirements include the following:
• Maintaining a 3.00 GPA both cumulative and
per semester;
• Pass 67% of all credits attempted both
cumulative and and per semester;
• Complete the degree within 150% of the
credits and timeframe expected for the degree.
Students who fail to meet the SAP requirements will
receive a warning on their rst offense. Students
who are on a warning semester are still eligible to
receive federal nancial aid during that semester to
allow for an opportunity to meet SAP requirements.
Those who fail to meet SAP requirements at the end
of that semester will not be eligible for nancial aid.
Students with extenuating circumstances may
complete an appeal. If denied, students can turn to
private/alternative loans or pay out of pocket until
SAP requirements are met.
6Financial Aid FAQ
What is the minimum number of credits required to
receive federal student aid?
You must be registered for a minimum of 4.5 credits
during the Fall and Spring semesters, and 3 credits
for the Summer semester in order to be eligible
for federal student aid. Fall semester consists of
the September term. Spring semester consists of
both January and April terms combined. Summer
semester is the July term.
What are private loans?
Private education loans, also known as alternative
loans, are offered by private lenders to help students
bridge the gap between the cost of education and
the amount the government allows you to borrow
in federal loans. Lenders offer private educational
loans with different rates, fees, repayment terms, and
approval requirements.
Does GWU recommend specic private lenders?
GWU does not have a preferred lender list, so we do
not recommend particular lenders to students. We
will work with the lender of your choice, so be sure
to do your research and determine the lender you
would like to work with.
When will I receive my nancial aid award?
Financial aid offers typically take 4-6 weeks from
the time you complete the FAFSA or the date you
were admitted to the program, whichever is latest.
Make sure you complete your FAFSA early to speed
up the process. You do not need to be admitted
to complete the FAFSA. When awards are ready to
view, students will receive an email.
How do I accept my nancial aid award?
You can do this by logging into your GWeb by using
your GWID and PIN. Once logged in, please follow
the steps below to access your award:
1. Click on Student Financial Aid Menu
2. Click on My Award Information
3. Click on Award by Aid Year
4. Select appropriate “Financial Aid Year” from the
aid year drop-down menu
5. Click on the “Accept Award” tab on the top
6. You will see options to accept/decline loan
funding and to enter the amount (if any) you
wish to borrow.
Am I required to accept the full amount that I am
offered on my award letter?
No, you do not have to accept the full amount
offered. Students are encouraged to borrow only
what is needed. You can choose to accept all,
part, or none of your nancial aid awards. Once all
your requirements are completed, and your loan is
posted on your student account, you can accept/
decline on your GWeb.
If you decline a portion of your loan, but would like
to access the declined portion at some point during
the academic year, you may do so by completing the
Supplementary Loan Questionnaire.
Does my Direct Loan eligibility cover the entire
cost of the program?
Assuming you are eligible for both the Direct
Unsubsidized Loan and the Direct Graduate PLUS
Loan, you can request enough aid to cover the full
Cost of Attendance for the entirety of your program.
The unsubsidized loan on its own can fully cover 18
credits total per academic year.
How soon will loans be disbursed to my student
account?
Disbursements begin on the rst day of classes
each term (spring I and spring II are combined into
one spring term with one disbursement), provided
all disbursement requirements are satised. Please
note that GW disburses aid based on the campus
academic calendar.
When disbursement runs, it pays any charges that
you have on your account, including tuition and fees.
If you have a negative balance after your tuition and
fees have been paid, you will receive a refund. The
refund process is a separate process and is initiated
after the disbursement. Make sure that you enroll in
direct deposit to receive your refund faster.
7Financial Aid FAQ
Can I use loans to cover additional expenses such
as living expenses, books, supplies, etc.?
Your cost of attendance (COA) for the academic
year consists of direct and indirect expenses. Direct
expenses include costs that you pay directly to
the university, including tuition and fees. Indirect
expenses are costs that you pay during the course
of your education but are not paid directly to the
university. This includes housing, meals, books,
transportation, and personal/miscellaneous items.
The COA is not a bill, but rather a budget to help
with planning for costs related to your education.
You can view a sample cost of attendance on the
SPH nancial aid website. You can also download
the COA spreadsheet from our website for a more
accurate budget based on your planned enrollment.
Who can I contact at GWU for nancial aid
questions?
If you have any questions about tuition and nancial
aid at GWU, please contact the Milken Institute
School of Public Health (SPH) Financial Aid Team by
calling 202-994-1950 or email GWSPHnaid@gwu.
edu.
8Financial Aid FAQ
Financial Aid FAQ
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
What is the FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) is the application the Department of
Education uses to determine if you are eligible to
receive federal student aid.
Where can I nd the FAFSA?
The FAFSA is available online at Studentaid.gov. The
FAFSA is a free application; you will not be asked
to pay. You can also complete the FAFSA on the
myStudentAid App. The GWU school code is 001444.
Do I need to include my social security number
(SSN) in my application for admission to be eligible
for aid?
Yes, you will need to include your SSN in your
application for admissions, in order for GWU to
retrieve your FAFSA from the federal database.
Please contact the SPH Financial Aid Team by
emailing GWSPH[email protected] or calling 202-994-
1950 if you nd any discrepancies or a missing SSN.
Please do not provide your SSN via email, but be
sure to include your GWID for all inquiries. .
Do I need my parents’ tax information to complete
the FAFSA?
If you are applying for graduate school, you are
considered an independent student, and do
not need to include your parents’ information to
complete the FAFSA.
What is the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)?
The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is a
measurement of your ability to contribute toward
your educational costs. As a graduate/professional
student your EFC is not a factor in your eligibility for
federal student loans.
When should I complete the FAFSA?
The FAFSA is available every October 1st for the
upcoming academic year. New students planning
to use federal student aid should complete a FAFSA
while applying for admission. You do not need to
wait until you are admitted to complete the FAFSA.
Continuing students will need to submit a FAFSA
each year they plan to receive federal student aid.
Please reference the chart below to determine which
FAFSA to complete based on your desired start date:
Start Term FAFSA Year
January 2022 Spring 1 2021–2022
April 2022 Spring 2 2021–2022
July 2022 Summer 2021–2022
September 2022 Fall 2022-2023
Do I need to complete the FAFSA each year?
Yes. Because eligibility for federal student aid does
not carry over from one award year to the next, you
will need to complete the FAFSA for each award
year for which you are or plan to be a student.
What constitutes an academic year for federal
student aid?
An academic year at GWU starts in the fall and ends
in the summer. This is used to calculate your federal
eligibility for one academic year.
9Financial Aid FAQ
What is the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan?
The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is a federal
loan offered to students to help with the cost of
education. The Federal Unsubsidized Loan is not
based on income or nancial need. There is an
annual limit of $33,000 for the unsubsidized loan
as well as a lifetime eligibility limit based on your
program of study.
What criteria is used to determine eligibility for
federal student aid?
In order to apply for federal student aid, you must:
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
• Have a valid Social Security Number (SSN)
• Be registered with Selective Service, if you
are male (must register between the ages of
18 and 25), or meet the waiver requirement
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an
eligible degree program
• Be enrolled at least half-time (4.5 credits in
the fall/spring and 3 credits in the summer)
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP)
• Not currently be in default on previous
federal student loans
• Not have exceeded the maximum aggregate
loan limit
Learn more about federal student aid eligibility
criteria on the Federal Student Aid website.
What is the aggregate loan limit?
The aggregate loan limit is the total amount that
you may borrow in federal student loans for
undergraduate and graduate study. In addition
to borrowing limitations based on the cost of
attendance for the program, students are also limited
in terms of lifetime borrowing. The aggregate loan
limit for the MPH@GWU is $224,000.
If the total loan amount you receive over the course
of your education reaches the aggregate loan
limit, you are not eligible to receive additional
unsubsidized loans. However, if you repay some
of your loans to bring your outstanding loan debt
below the aggregate loan limit, you could then
borrow again, up to the amount of your remaining
eligibility under the aggregate loan limit. You can
learn more about graduate annual loan limits on the
Federal Student Aid website.
How do I nd out if I am near my aggregate loan limit?
Log in on the StudentAid.gov homepage to view
your federal student loan borrowing history, and
loan servicer details. Please note that private
education loans are not listed on this site.
Studentsin default are not eligible for additional
federal loans. Contact your lender for default
resolution options.
What is the difference between a Direct Subsidized
Loan and a Direct Unsubsidized Loan?
Direct Subsidized Loans do not accrue interest while
enrolled at least part-time. Undergraduate students
with determined nancial need are eligible for
subsidized loans. Graduate students are not eligible
for any subsidized loans.
The Direct Unsubsidized Loan is available to
undergraduate and graduate students and does
not require demonstration of nancial need.
The Unsubsidized Loan begins accruing interest
as soon as funds are disbursed. Learn more
about the difference between unsubsidized and
subsidized loans.
How much am I eligible for with the Direct
Unsubsidized Loan?
Most graduate level students are potentially eligible
to receive up to $20,500 per academic year in
Direct Unsubsidized Loans. However, students in
the MPH@GW and MHA@GW programs are eligible
for additional unsubsidized loan funds totalling
$33,000 per academic year between fall and
Financial Aid FAQ
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
10Financial Aid FAQ
spring semesters. Students taking at least 3 credits
in the summer term are eligible for an additional
unsubsidized loan.
These amounts are based on maximum annual
loan limits for students who have not reached their
aggregate lifetime loan limit. Learn more about
graduate annual loan limits.
If I am currently enrolled in another program and
use federal student aid in that program, can I also
apply for and use federal student aid at GWU at the
same time?
No, you can only use federal aid at one academic
program at a time. If you have already received
nancial aid for a term at another institution, you
will not be able to access any federal aid at GW for
that term.
If I’m currently enrolled in another program and
using Federal Student Aid can I use Federal
Student Aid for this program as well?
You can only use Federal Student Aid for one
program at a time.
How do I apply for the Direct Unsubsidized Loan?
To apply for the Direct Unsubsidized Loan, you
must complete and submit the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The process takes
4-6 weeks from the date you submit the FAFSA or
are admitted into the program, whichever is latest.
Once your loan is ready to view and accept, you will
receive an email. You will need to accept your loan
on GWeb.
What is the current Direct Unsubsidized Loan
interest rate?
The Direct Unsubsidized Loan interest rate is
determined annually on July 1st. Learn more about
interest rates on the Federal Student Aid website.
Are there any additional loan fees for the Direct
Unsubsidized Loan?
There is a loan origination fee that is a percentage
of the total loan amount. The loan origination fee is
deducted from each loan disbursement you receive.
Please note that you are still responsible for repaying
the full loan amount including any origination fees
that are deducted from the loan amount.
Information on unsubsidized and PLUS loan
origination fees can be found on the Interest Rates
and Fees page of the Federal Student Aid website.
11Financial Aid FAQ
up to the cost of attendance annually as determined
by GWU. This includes direct fees: tuition and other
fees, and indirect fees: housing, food, transportation,
books, and personal/miscellaneous items. You can
view a sample cost of attendance, just note that the
only portion that will be adjusted is the number of
credits you will be enrolled in.
When can I apply for the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan?
You can apply for the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
within 180 days of the start of your program, or once
you are enrolled. The PLUS Loan opens for each
academic year on July 1 for the fall start term. This is
to make sure that your credit check does not expire
during the academic year.
How do I apply for the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan?
1. In order to apply for the Direct Graduate
PLUS loan, you must rst complete the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). .
2. Apply for the loan at Studentaid.gov and click
on the “in school” tab. Click on the second link
on the right-hand side titled “Apply for a PLUS
Loan for Graduate School.”
What is the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan?
The Direct Graduate PLUS Loan is a federal loan
that graduate or professional degree students can
use to help pay education expenses in addition to
the Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Learn about Direct
PLUS Loans.
Do Direct PLUS Loans affect my aggregate
loan limit?
No, only Direct Subsidized/Direct Unsubsidized
Loans (formerly referred to as Stafford loans) and
federal loans made through the Federal Family
Education Loan (FFEL) Program count toward your
lifetime aggregate loan limit.
What are the eligibility criteria to apply for the
Direct Graduate PLUS Loan?
A soft credit check will be conducted when applying
for the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. In addition to
the federal student aid eligibility criteria, applicants
cannot have an adverse credit history. If you are
denied, there are options to either appeal the credit
decision or seek an endorser.
What are the credit criteria to receive the Direct
Graduate PLUS Loan?
One of the eligibility requirements to receive a
Graduate PLUS Loan is that you must not have
an adverse credit history. A soft credit check is
performed to determine whether a Graduate PLUS
Loan applicant meets this requirement.
You will also need to complete the Supplementary
Loan Questionnaire outlining how much of the loan
you would like to borrow per term. Be sure to select
the appropriate academic year to complete the
proper form.
How much can I borrow from the Direct Graduate
PLUS Loan?
If approved for the Grad PLUS Loan, you can borrow
Financial Aid FAQ
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
12Financial Aid FAQ
You will then be taken to another page that
will allow you to log in using your FSA ID
and password:
3. Make sure you complete the Supplementary
Loan Questionnaire:
Ɖ Please keep in mind that a loan fee applies
to each disbursement, which will reduce
the net loan. The current loan fee is 4.236%,
For example, if you borrow $10,000 in
PLUS loans, you will receive $9,576.40 (loan
minus the loan fee).
Ɖ If you are borrowing for 2 semesters,
please make sure that you double the loan.
For example if you want $5,000 for the fall
and $5,000 in the spring make sure you
borrow the total $10,000.
• In Section 2, choose the semester for which
you would like the loan.
• Select where your courses are held.
• For the number of credits, please make sure
you include the credits for all terms under the
correct campus.
• Check “no” for the last question: “If you will
register for fewer than 4.5 credits in the fall
or spring semesters, or less than 3 over the
summer term, will you submit a HalfTime/Full-
Time Certication Request with your advisor?”
• You can sign the form by using approved Adobe
signature technology that datestamps your
signature or print and sign the form manually.
Once you’re done, email the form to
What are the next steps if I’m approved for the
Direct Graduate PLUS Loan?
If approved, complete the Master Promissory Note
for the PLUS Loan. Make sure you complete the
PLUS MPN even if you completed the unsubsidized
MPN. These are two different promissory notes.
Go to Studentaid.gov and click on the “in school”
tab. On the right-hand click on “complete a loan
agreement (master promissory note)”. This will take
you to another page, and you will want to complete
the loan agreement for the unsubsidized loan,
which is the rst option. Log in with your FSA ID and
password, the same one that you use to log in to
your FAFSA.
Sometimes the federal government may require you
to complete a Credit Counseling prior to disbursing
your loan. If you are selected to complete this
requirement, you will be notied by the Department
of Education at the time you are approved for the
PLUS loan.
This is a screen shot of the studentaid.gov website
with the links needed to complete highlighted:
13Financial Aid FAQ
Second link for Loan Agreement will take you to this
page:
What are my options if I’m denied the Direct
Graduate PLUS Loan?
If you are denied the Graduate PLUS loan, you
may add an endorser or follow the instructions on
the Department of Education’s website to appeal
the denial.
If those options are not feasible, you can look to a
private/alternative lender.
What is the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan current
interest rate?
The Direct Graduate PLUS Loan interest rate is
determined at the beginning of each academic year,
and is available on the Federal Student Aid website’s
Interest Rates and Fees page.
Are there any additional loan fees for the Direct
Graduate PLUS Loan?
There is a loan origination fee that is a percentage
of the total loan amount. The loan origination fee
is deducted from each loan disbursement you
receive. Information on Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
origination fees can be found on the Interest Rates
and Fees page of the Federal Student Aid website.
14Financial Aid FAQ
Do I have to repay my student loans while I’m
in school?
You are not required to make any payments on
your student loans while you are enrolled at least
half-time. Repayment for federal loans begins 6
months after you drop-below half-time enrollment
or graduate from the program. Your servicer will
contact you with information on how to set up your
payment when you enter repayment.
You can also request to pay the interest while you
are in school in order to avoid capitalization on your
loans. Capitalization occurs when your borrowed
amount and interest combine and charge interest on
the total amount. This occurs every time your loans
enter repayment. If you are interested in enrolling
in interest payments, contact your servicer at least 4
weeks after your loan is disbursed.
A loan servicer is assigned to your loan about 4
weeks after the loan is disbursed. If you are not
sure who your servicer is, please contact Federal
Student Aid.
Most private/alternative loans also have deferred
payment options while you are in school. However,
please conrm with your lender.
When do I have to repay my loan?
After you graduate, leave school, or drop below
half-time enrollment, you will have a 6-month grace
period before you are required to begin repayment.
During this period, you’ll receive repayment
information from your loan servicer, and you will be
notied of your rst payment due date. Payments
are usually due monthly. You are not required to pay
while in school, however if you choose to, there is no
penalty to begin making payments on your loan or
the interest. Learn more about repayment timelines.
What are the repayment plan options and how do I
select one?
The Department of Education (ED) offers multiple
options for repayment. You may visit the DOE website
for more information on loan repayment plans.
Is there a repayment calculator or estimator that I
can use?
Yes, visit the ED website for repayment calculators.
Can I consolidate my graduate loans and my
undergraduate loans?
A Direct Consolidation Loan allows you to
consolidate (combine) multiple federal education
loans into one loan including both graduate and
undergraduate loans. The result is a single monthly
payment instead of multiple payments. This can
be an option for some, be sure to review all the
requirements. Learn more about loan consolidation.
Are there any loan forgiveness options available?
In certain circumstances, all or a portion of a
borrower’s federal student loans may be forgiven
under the federal government’s loan forgiveness
program. Please review the Department of
Education website for more information on federal
loan forgiveness programs.
Financial Aid FAQ
Loan Deferment and Repayment
15Financial Aid FAQ
How do I apply for military education benets?
To begin the process of applying for eligible military
education benets, visit the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs website. Questions regarding
eligibility should be directed to the VA at 1-(888)-
442-4551.
Are there scholarship opportunities or tuition
discounts for military students or family members?
There are several scholarships available to military-
afliated students, available from the George
Washington University (GW), from Military and
Veteran Services, and from outside sources.
What documents are required to process military
education benets?
Visit VA.gov to access and manage your VA
education benets. If you are applying for Post-
9/11 GI Bill benets, complete the Education
Benets Application, which generates a request
for a Certicate of Eligibility (COE). The COE is
mailed to you within 6-8 weeks from submitting the
application. A copy of the COE must be provided to
the Ofce of Military and Veteran Student Services
After being admitted to GW, follow the steps
on the Admitted Students Checklist to use your
educational benets.
What are the eligibility factors for the Post 9/11
GI bill?
You are potentially eligible if you have at least 90
days of aggregate active duty service after Sept.10,
2001, and are still on active duty, or if you are an
honorably discharged Veteran or were discharged
with a service-connected disability after 30 days, you
may be eligible for this VA-administered program.
Learn more about the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
How often do I need to request recertication?
As soon as you register for courses, be sure to
complete your ”Request for Certication” through
the GWeb Information System by going to the
Veteran Menu in “Student Records and Registration”
and selecting “Veteran Certication Request.”
This request needs to be submitted before every
semester you wish to use benets.
Will my military benets cover the entire cost of the
program?
Please visit the GI Bill comparison tool to view what
your VA benets will cover at GWU.
Students who are at the 100% eligibility rating for
Post 9/11 GI Bill and are eligible for the Yellow
Ribbon Program typically have little to no out of
pocket cost for year-round full-time enrollment.
How are Post-9/11 GI Bill® benets calculated
at GWU?
Military and Veteran Services reports all applicable
tuition and fees to the VA. Per VA policy, all tuition
specic scholarships are deducted from what is
billed to the VA.
What other military benets does GWU accept
aside from the Post-9/11 GI Bill?
The George Washington University is committed
to providing our student veterans, dependents,
and military personnel with excellence in service
through timely and accurate benet processing,
high-quality customer service, and supportive
community-building activities. In addition to
assistance with education benets, students will have
access to career, social, and wellness/mindfulness
programmatic activities.
Financial Aid FAQ
Military Education Benets
16Financial Aid FAQ
What is the deadline to apply for VA
education benets?
Students must request certication before the add/
drop period in a given semester to avoid incurring late
fees or nance charges related to an account balance.
What are current rates of benets including the
Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)?
The tuition and fee payment rate, and MHA are
determined at the beginning of each military
academic year on August 1st. The current rate table
is located on the Education and Training page of the
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs site.
Because GWU is a private university, students who
receive Post-9/11 GI Bill benets are subject to
a maximum tuition and fee reimbursement per
academic year (August 1 through July 31). The
amount of the national cap changes each year on
August 1, and is available to be used from August 1
to July 31 of the following year.
When VA benets are calculated, the amount of
this national cap must be expended before Yellow
Ribbon Program benets can be awarded.
What is the Yellow Ribbon Program (YRP)?
The Yellow Ribbon Program allows degree-granting
colleges and universities to voluntarily enter into
an agreement with the VA to fund tuition and fee
expenses that exceed the national maximum per
academic year.
Participating institutions choose their contribution
amount, the VA matches that amount, and
issue payment directly to the school. Additional
information on the Yellow Ribbon Program available
benets and eligibility, visit the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs website.
Does GWU participate in the Yellow Ribbon
Program (YRP)?
Yes GWU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
This program allows institutions of higher learning
(degree granting institutions) in the United States
to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to fund tuition
expenses that exceed the maximum base pay amount.
Who can I contact at GWU for questions about
using Military Education Benets?
For questions about military education benets, visit
the GWU Veterans Services Department page.
17Financial Aid FAQ
How do I qualify for a tuition tax credit?
For details on tax benets for education, see IRS
Publication 970. Tax Benets for Higher Education,
which provides detailed information. George
Washington University is unable to provide tax
advice. We urge you to contact your tax advisor or
the IRS at 800-829-1040 or visit www.irs.gov if you
have any questions regarding the HOPE or Lifetime
Learning Tax Credits.
What is the 1098-T Form?
It is an informational form led with the Internal
Revenue Service to report the amounts billed to you
for qualied tuition, related expenses, and other
related information. The primary purpose of the IRS
Form 1098-T is to inform you that we have provided
this required information to the IRS.
Form 1098-T reports amounts paid for qualied
tuition, scholarship and grants processed in 2018 to
students enrolled in courses at GWU for which they
receive academic credit. The information reported
on the 1098-T form helps students evaluate whether
he or she is eligible for an educational tax credit..
How do I obtain my 1098-T Form?
The 1098-T is available to eligible students by
January 31st of each year. You can either opt into
receiving your 1098-T electronically. Please make
sure to add @ecsi.net to your list of trusted emails.
If you don’t opt in, then the forms are mailed to the
billing address on le.
If you have any questions relating to your 1098-T,
please contact ECSI at 1-866-428-1098, or visit
the FAQs.
Financial Aid FAQ
Tax Benets for Education
