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Trachtenberg School of Public Policy & Public Administration

Columbian College of Arts & Sciences

Cost and Aid

Attaining 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 qualified students should be given the opportunity to continue their academic experience. The Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration makes every effort to help students identify and take advantage of the wide range of financial opportunities available within the school and throughout the university community, as well as from external sources.

Current Tuition & Fees

Trachtenberg School tuition is set for $1890 per credit hour for 2019/2020 school year. If you are enrolled as a Trachtenberg School student, you pay Trachtenberg School tuition and fees whether you are taking a class in another school at the university or a class at a consortium school.

 

MPA/MPP degrees are 40 credits.

                  Full-Time          Part-Time

Tuition      $17,010            $11,340

Fees            $27                   $18

Total          $17,037          $11,358

Additional Costs to Consider:

  • Every new student is charged a one-time $300 matriculation fee.

  • In order to complete the program, students will have one semester in which they take one three-class (typically in a summer session) and have one semester in which they complete a 1-credit course in addition to their normal course load.

  • Over the past three years, tuition costs have increased about 3% yearly. The new tuition rate takes effect with summer classes.

  • International students studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa are charged $45 each fall and spring.

 

MA-ENRP degree is 36 credits.

                    Full-Time      Part-Time

Tuition          $17,010       $11,340

Fees                 $27              $18

Total           $17,037          $11,358

  • Every new student is charged a one-time $300 matriculation fee.

  • International students studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa are charged $45 each fall and spring.

  • Over the past three years, tuition costs have increased about 3% yearly. The new tuition rate takes effect with summer classes.

 

PhD degree is 72 credits.

                   Full-Time              Part-Time

Tuition       $17,010                 $11,340

Fees             $27                        $18

Total          $17,037                 $11,358

 

  • Every new student is charged a one-time $300 matriculation fee.

  • Over the past three years, tuition costs have increased about 3% yearly. The new tuition rate takes effect with summer classes.

  • International students studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa are charged $45 each fall and spring.

 

Certificate programs are 12 credits.

                  Two Classes          One Class

Tuition          $11,340               $5,670

Fees                $18                      $9

Total            $11,358                $5,679

  • Every new student is charged a one-time $300 matriculation fee.

  • Over the past three years, tuition costs have increased about 3% yearly.

 

Graduate school is expensive. It’s an investment in your future and your understanding of public service.

The Trachtenberg School encourages the use of additional resources to help defray the costs.

Many fellowships and scholarships are available to students studying in the Trachtenberg School, from internal funding to sources including the broader GW options and external resources, including:

Merit-based Tuition Awards at the Trachtenberg School

All applicants who indicate interest on their application and submit by the January 15 deadline are automatically considered for partial tuition fellowships and assistantships within the Trachtenberg School. No other application is required for consideration. For more information about what these fellowships and assistantships look like, please email your questions to [email protected].

Minority Serving Institution Award

Graduates from a select list of minority-serving institutions are eligible for an application fee waiver and a tuition award of at least 40%. Students who submit their application by February 1 will automatically be considered for this award.

Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and Teach for America Alumni

Students who have completed the AmeriCorps, Peace Corps or Teach for America programs are eligible to receive a one-time award of $5,000. Due to the large number of applicants who have this background, not every applicant will receive the award. In order to be considered, students should upload an addendum to their application stating alumni status and requesting financial aid consideration. Additionally, these applicants may request a fee waiver for their application fee.

Grad2Grad

Recent graduates and seniors at GW may receive a 10% tuition discount for master’s level study at the Trachtenberg School. A separate Grad2Grad Fellowship enrollment form is required to receive this award.

Awards from the Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships (OGSAF)

As members of the GW community, Trachtenberg School students also qualify for various grants and fellowships offered throughout the University.

  • The Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships provides information on funding opportunities at the master's and PhD levels.

  • A list of GW fellowships that Trachtenberg Students may find particularly applicable include:

    • ​Career Development Fellowship
      Intended for students with a minimum 3.4 GPA who are working or interning either full- or part-time in a position directly related to the student’s degree program. Award covers up to $5,000 for part-time students and up to $10,000 for full-time students, excluding fees. Note: Other awards cannot be combined with this award.

    • GW/ McNair Fellowship 
      Intended for incoming students who were McNair Fellows in their undergraduate programs at other universities. Award may cover up to full-tuition.

    • Scottish Rite Fellowship
      Intended for graduate students with verified affiliation with a US Scottish Rite organization. Award is $15,000 for full-time students and $7,500 for part-time students with priority given to those attending full-time.

    • Walter Green Fellowship 
      Intended for students pursuing a career in public service or government who work in a paid job or internship related to their field of study in the DC Metro Area. Award is up to $6,000 for full-time students and up to $3,000 for part-time students.

    • Wolcott Foundation Fellowship
      Intended for students with outstanding academic, civic, and social credentials who are pursuing public service careers. Maximum award covers tuition and fees for 40 credit hours and requires 4 years of employment in federal, state, or local level government services upon graduation.

  • ​OGSAF also provides a database for external, private scholarships and fellowships. An example is the Marjorie Cook Scholars Program, which is available for female Maryland Residents pursuing a degree in public policy.

 
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Many Trachtenberg School students take out loans to help finance part of their graduate tuition and living expenses.  Often, these students qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF), which is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service jobs in government or nonprofit organizations. Visit the Department of Education website to learn more.

Applying for Loans

The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) oversees the processing of all loans for students who have been admitted to a GW graduate degree or approved graduate certificate program. Federal loan programs require U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status and at least half-time attendance. Private Alternative Loans are available to supplement other sources of aid. Instructions for applying for these different types of loans are provided online. To have a loan processed before classes begin, all application materials must be on file in the Office of Student Financial Assistance by:

  • Fall Semester: May 1
  • Spring Semester: October 1
  • Summer Semester: March 1

A FAFSA and a Graduate Loan Questionnaire are required for all graduate students applying for federal aid. GW requires a Loan Questionnaire for all graduate students applying for any type of loan including additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan, Federal Direct Graduate PLUS or private alternative loans. Please visit Colonial Central  for a complete Graduate Student Checklist.

In addition, OSFA provides assistance to students applying for aid including helping you calculate your cost of attendance, eligibility for financial aid, and completing the FASFA and GW Loan Questionnaire.  

 

Many students in the Trachtenberg School work while they are studying in order to help pay for their education. The Trachtenberg School provides students with excellent flexibility in order to handle part-time or full-time employment while completing a degree. There are many resources available to enrolled students to aid in the job search.

There are some full-time or regular part-time positions at GW that qualify employees (after a six-month waiting period) for tuition benefits. Other students secure work-study positions as part of their financial aid package. In addition, many GW faculty and research centers employ students as research assistants, project coordinators, Teaching Assistants for courses and other roles. These positions do not typically offer tuition benefits, but can provide a paycheck and relevant work experience.

 

Veterans and active duty service members are encouraged to use their Veterans Administration Benefits to help fund a degree at the Trachtenberg School. GW was recently recognized as a Veteran-friendly school.

Active-duty personnel, veterans and 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.

The George Washington University is proud to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which is meant to supplement Post-9/11 GI Bill funds. A number of other tuition, living and book assistance programs are available as well.

Please contact the Office of Military and Veteran Student Services for more information and guidance through applying for these benefits.

 

International students have unique opportunities for funding their education at the Trachtenberg school.

General Information for International Students

International students who wish to pursue a degree at the Trachtenberg School are encouraged to contact the International Services Office (ISO) for  guidance on many topics including funding your education, finding housing in the D.C. area and transitioning to life at GW. A resource students may find particularly helpful is the Step Into the World brochure (PDF) .

Fellowships and Scholarships

The Global Leaders Fellowship
This fellowship is offered through the Office of Graduate Student Assistance and Fellowships (OGSAF) and is intended for incoming international students from a list of specific countries who will return to their countries of origin to apply skills learned at GW to be leaders in their field. Students must hold an F-1 or J-1 visa and be from one of the following countries or regions. This fellowship covers up to 18 credit hours for the academic year and is renewable.

Scholarship Aid for International Graduate Students
International students from strategic countries who are studying on an F1 visa may receive up to $24,000 in tuition awards per academic year from the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS).