Policy - Taxable Financial Assistance

This document provides general information about possible tax implications of financial assistance. For specific tax advice, please consult with a tax professional.

GW scholarships and grants which only pay tuition charges are not taxable. Tuition awards include: University and Alumni Award, GW Family Grant, Admission Awards and Scholarships and Graduate Tuition Awards and the GW Guaranteed Grant and Board of Trustees Scholarships (which were only awarded to students admitted prior to the 2015-2016 academic year).

Any scholarship or grant that is designated for room or board is taxable.  Also taxable is any combination of gift aid scholarships and grants, including Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Scholarships, athletic awards, graduate scholarships and/or fellowships which exceed the cost of tuition, fees and textbooks.

Federal Work Study and stipends which are earned through a paycheck are taxable.

Students who receive employer based tuition benefits or remission should contact their respective benefits office for information on any taxes applicable to those benefits.

For further information, visit the GW Tax Office website, https://taxdepartment.gwu.edu/us-citizens-residents or consult IRS Publication 520, Scholarships and Fellowships.