How To Apply

New Undergraduate

Application Information for Main Campus Students

To be considered for federal and institutional financial assistance, new undergraduate students (early decision, regular, transfer, and GW students applying for re-admission) are required to complete the steps listed below. See Deadlines for information on when each applicant type should have the following requirements completed.

New undergraduate students may estimate their Net Price using the GW Net Price Calculator.

Indicate on the Undergraduate Admissions Common Application that student will be applying for aid. To maximize eligibility for all sources of aid we encourage applicants to submit both the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications. Complete the CSS Profile online using the GW School Code 5246. The Profile is not required if you only wish to be considered for Federal aid. However, in order to be considered for GW need based grants and scholarships, students must also complete the CSS Profile and Non-Custodial Profile, if applicable. For assistance with the Profile application, email CSS at [email protected] or call844-202-0524.

Applicants who do not submit the full aid application their first year at GW, to include the CSS Profile and Noncustodial Profile, if applicable, will not be considered for GW need based grants and scholarships for two years and will require the full aid application to be filed at that time. Exceptions may be made if a family experiences a significant change in circumstances.

Submit required Verification Documents

Search for scholarships through the GWay Scholarship Opportunities search (recommended)

Complete the FAFSA using the GW School Code 001444 in order to be considered for federal financial assistance. Use of the IRS Data Retrieval Tool will streamline your application. For assistance with the FAFSA application call 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3242)
If a dependent applicant’s parents are divorced, we will follow federal guidelines and collect information for the custodial parent and step-parent, if the custodial parent has remarried.
Submit to our office signed copies of prior year federal tax returns and W2 statements for custodial parents (and step-parent, if applicable) and students. Documents can be submitted online through the CSS Profile Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC) system. Estimated or draft copies of tax returns, or notifications of filing extensions are not accepted.
Submit the Verification of Family Member Enrollment which must be completed by the Financial Aid Office of the other school for each family member who is attending a school other than GW.

Application Information for Other Programs

Students in the 2nd Bachelors Degree, College of Professional Studies, Online Learning, and Certificate Students programs do not qualify for institutional grants and scholarships. Review other Assistance Types for more information on federal aid programs and eligibility criteria.

Complete the FAFSA on the Web using the GW School Code 001444 in order to be considered for federal financial assistance. Use of the IRS Data Retrieval Tool will streamline your application. For assistance with the FAFSA application call 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3242)

Certificate students should refer to their academic program website for information on the program’s eligibility for federal financial assistance as not every program qualifies.

Application Information for International Students

International students may be considered for GW institutional financial assistance after the successful completion of at least 30 credits at GW:

To apply for financial assistance, international students should complete the CSS Profile online using the GW School Code 5246. For assistance with the Profile application, email CSS at [email protected] or call 844-202-0524.

In addition, international students must provide documentation of parent and student earnings. Examples of documentation include:

A translated copy of the foreign tax return which includes conversion to US Dollars (USD)
A translated letter from a foreign employer which includes conversion to USD and reflects applicable calendar year earnings.

Continuing Undergraduate

Application Information for Main Campus Students

Review the deadlines information for when each step should be completed. Students applying for re-admission to GW should follow the New Undergraduate application process.

Complete the FAFSA using GW School Code 001444 in order to be considered for federal financial assistance. Use of the IRS Data Retrieval Tool will streamline your application. For assistance with the FAFSA, call 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3242)
If a dependent applicant’s parents are divorced, we follow federal guidance and collect information for the custodial parent and step-parent if that parent has remarried.
Submit the Verification of Family Member Enrollment which must be completed by the Financial Aid Office of the other school for each family member who is attending a school other than GW.
Submit required verification documents
GWay Scholarship Opportunities (recommended)

Application Information for Other Programs

Certificate students should refer to their academic program website for information on the program’s eligibility for federal financial assistance as not every program qualifies.

Application Information for International Students

International students may be considered for GW institutional financial assistance after the successful completion of at least 30 credits at GW:

To apply for financial assistance, international students should complete the CSS Profile online using the GW School Code 5246. For assistance with the Profile application, email CSS at [email protected] or call 844-202-0524.
In addition, international students must provide documentation of parent and student earnings. Examples of documentation include:
- A translated copy of the foreign tax return which includes conversion to US Dollars (USD)
- A translated letter from a foreign employer which includes conversion to USD and reflects applicable calendar year earnings.

Graduate

Application Steps

The steps below will guide the student through the federal and private alternative loan processes. Refer to the Document Submission Guidelines for information on submitting forms and documents to our office. During processing, additional documentation may be required. We will contact the student in writing via GWemail should this need arise. Please do not submit other information, including tax documentation, unless we expressly request it.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

Complete the FAFSA using GW School Code 001444 at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. For assistance with the FAFSA, call 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3242)
Students who have not borrowed a Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loan within the last ten years complete the Subsidized/Unsubsidized MPN online at https://studentaid.gov/.
All first-time borrowers are required to complete Entrance Counseling as a graduate or professional student regarding their rights and responsibilities as a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan borrower. Entrance Counseling can be completed online at https://studentaid.gov/.
Complete GW’s Supplemental Graduate Loan Questionnaire which is found through Forms and Documents only if:
- The student declined all or a portion of their Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan via GWeb that was originally offered to them;
- Loan eligibility is regained after being lost for any reason; or
- The student is in an eligible Health Professions and is applying for the summer portion of their loan.
In some instances we will be required to collect additional information. If that need arises we will contact you in writing.

Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loan

Complete the FAFSA using GW School Code 001444 at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. For assistance with the FAFSA, call 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3242)
Students who have not borrowed a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan within the last ten years, or those whose previous request was denied for credit reasons, are required to complete the PLUS MPN for Graduate/Professional Students online at https://studentaid.gov/.
All first-time borrowers must complete Entrance Counseling as a graduate or professional student regarding their rights and responsibilities as a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan borrower. Entrance Counseling can be completed online at https://studentaid.gov/.
Complete GW’s Supplemental Graduate Loan Questionnaire, which is found through Forms and Documents, applying for the full Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan amount the student is eligible to receive if it has not already been awarded, as well as the requested Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan amount. The detailed information you provide us on this form will enable us to process your application correctly and for the loan period of your choosing.
In some instances we will be required to collect additional information. If that need arises we will contact you in writing.

Private Alternative Loans

Complete the private alternative loan application with the student’s lender of choice.
Submit the Self-Certification Form directly to your lender.
Complete GW’s Supplemental Graduate Loan Questionnaire which is found online through Forms and Documents. Indicate the requested loan amount for the private alternative loan and the name of the loan being applied for. If the student is simultaneously requesting new or additional federal loan amounts, indicate these on the same Supplemental Graduate Loan Questionnaire. The detailed information you provide us on this form will enable us to process your application correctly and for the loan period of your choosing.