GW Student Support and Resources

Direct student support is one of the most impactful ways to make a difference at GW. These critical funds help to ensure that all of our students have access to the resources they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom. High-priority funding areas provide GW students with need-based aid so they can achieve a GW education, they offer students access to programs that help to build personal and academic support networks, and engage our students and alumni in developing a sense of GW community no matter where they are in the world. Gifts made to these areas positively affect the lives of students at the university now and for years to come.

“This scholarship has made my academic and personal experience at GW that much easier to navigate. I have seen that financial situations can cause enormous stress on students. But this scholarship has reduced the mental and financial burden of paying for college for my family. Education has always been a priority for my family, and this scholarship allows me to fully focus on that.” Abdoul Diallo, GWSB ’22

Priorities

GW Student Aid

As GW enters its third century, increasing the amount of need-based scholarship support available for students has been identified as a critical need. Scholarships enable GW to attract the best and brightest students to the university, increase the accessibility of a GW education, and prepare students to take on the challenges of the 21st century. In spring 2020, almost 43 percent of the 10,365 undergraduate students received need-based scholarships or grant aid. Without additional philanthropic investment, students’ full need is unable to be met. By supporting scholarships, the generosity of donors helps to ensure that qualified GW students, regardless of financial resources, can pursue their studies and take full advantage of the GW experience.

GW Cares Student Assistance Fund

The GW Cares Student Assistance Fund provides critical support to GW students in times of need. Serving the entire GW student community, including undergraduate and graduate students across all schools and colleges, the GW Cares Fund helps to ensure that students can continue their GW education even in times of financial hardship due to unforeseen circumstances. Students may request need-based assistance to help with any urgent situation, including emergency medical expenses, transportation, food access, technological access, housing support, and lost-income emergencies. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, more than 780 students have received aid from this effort, totaling over $346,000 in support. Every dollar raised for this fund supports the acute needs of students.

Knowledge in Action Career Services Internship Fund

Many students experience life-changing moments through their internships, but unpaid internships can pose a financial challenge. GW’s Career Services recognized this issue and established the Knowledge in Action Career Internship Fund (KACIF) to ease the financial burden for GW students as they pursue the internships that foster their careers and enhance their academic studies. Since 2013, KACIF has supported over 850 students with almost $1 million in funding, making an average award of $1,579 per student.

Military and Veterans Student Services

Over the last eight years, the Military Times has recognized GW as a “Best for Vets” institution. Donor support remains critical as GW continues to build programs that ensure the success of our 1,700 veteran and military students. The majority of these students experience a gap between the cost of tuition and their funding package. To alleviate this burden, direct student support for GW military students is our highest priority. Stipends through GW Vets’ Learning Supplement Program, which awards $2,000-$3,000 per student, help to increase access to a GW education for those who are serving or have served our country through the military.

Multicultural Student Services Center

Supporting an inclusive and diverse community is critical to GW. The Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC) plays a central role as the campus hub for multicultural programming, campus community building, culture sharing, and LGBTQIA and Interfaith initiatives, guided by a strong belief in our shared humanity. All programming is built around inclusion, relationship building, and cross-cultural communication, striving to address the values of under-represented communities in any number of ways. Funds to the MSSC go directly to supporting and creating an engaging program that makes everyone feel welcome and understood.

The Store

Students burdened with financial challenges sometimes struggle with basic human needs. To provide resources and support for GW students living with food insecurity, the student-run food pantry known as The Store opened five years ago in District House. It provides dry goods, meats, fresh produce, dairy, vegan options, and household and hygiene products to any student in need, and students may shop anonymously. In addition, The Store provides technology like iClickers and laptops, a particularly high need right now as students pursue their academic studies in a virtual learning environment. At The Store, a mere 19 cents can pay for one pound of food to support students, while $1,000 can fund a laptop for a student in need.