Financial Aid
made simple...
Gallaudet is serious about helping you find the right financial assistance. With a few simple steps, the staff in the Financial Aid office will work on your behalf to determine the financial assistance you are eligible for. Let us help you tailor a financial plan that works for you.
Think you can’t afford a private school tuition? Check out the myths and facts on page 2!
Three Steps to receiving your customized financial aid package
Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) after January 1. You can either: Apply online at fafsa.gov (Recommended) Download a printed application from www.fafsa.ed.gov/options.htm Or call voice 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3242) or TTY 1-800-730-8913 to request that one be mailed to you.
IMPORTANT: Remember to enter the following code on your FAFSA to ensure Gallaudet receives your results!
001443 Complete the IFAA (Institutional Financial Aid Application). Gallaudet helps you determine your eligibility for aid and scholarships. In the IFAA, we ask for additional information necessary to determine your eligibility for aid and scholarships that are a unique match for you. Use the BISON (bison.gallaudet.edu) login username and password provided to you in your acceptance letter to complete your IFAA online. Once step 2 is completed, Financial Aid will notify you of your eligibility for grants and/or scholarships. What’s next? Use Gallaudet’s Schedule of Tuition and Fees on page 3 to calculate an estimate of what your total cost will be per semester if the grants, scholarships, and VR support you are expecting will not cover your expenses. Proceed to step #3. Complete student/parent loan request forms. These forms can be found under the “Applications and Other Useful Links” section of the Financial Aid Website. Financial Aid staff will contact you to inform you of your loan status.
Contact the Financial Aid office today to get a head start on understanding how affordable Gallaudet can be! 4
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y completing three easy steps, you will receive a customized Financial Aid package. The Financial Aid staff works toward meeting your financial needs with some of the following resources.
Merit-Based Scholarships Gallaudet’s Merit-based Scholarships are open to all deaf and hard of hearing undergraduate students whose scholastic and personal achievements are exemplary. These scholarships may be awarded for up to four years of study, or three years for transfer students. All newly admitted students are automatically considered for these scholarships. Merit scholarships are awarded to applicants who apply by February 1.
with scholarship criteria based on the information you provide on your IFAA. The IFAA is step #2 in the financial aid application process detailed on page 4.
Vocational Rehabilitation Many students on campus receive some type of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) support. For more information about what VR is and how a student can benefit, refer to page 2.
Federal Work-Study (FWS) allows you to earn money during the fall and spring semesters through part-time employment.
Private Scholarships Private scholarships can be received from outside sources such as your high school, church, community organization or private businesses. For a list of private scholarship opportunities, visit gallaudet.edu/financial_aid/scholarships.html There are also several commercial scholarship search engines that can assist with a nationwide search of private scholarship programs. Institutional Scholarships The Financial Aid Office awards scholarships through gift funding that are administered by the University. The Financial Aid staff matches students
Gallaudet’s Distribution of Financial Aid for Undergraduate Students Federal Loans 16%
Federal Financial Aid Grants are federal monies that do not have to be repaid. Federal grants include: Federal Pell Grant Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Federal Loans are monies that are required to be repaid with interest after graduation or withdrawal from college. Federal loan programs include: Federal Perkins Loans Federal Stafford Loans* Federal PLUS Loans*
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Other Financial Resources: On-campus employment not supported by Federal Work Study Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance Private loan programs that you must repay *Initial award offers/packages do not include Federal Stafford or PLUS loans.
Percentage of Undergraduate Students who received Financial Aid in 2011-2012 81% 71%
Grants/Scholarships 25%
VR 41%
Federal Grant 14%
62% 49% 13% 0
Other 2%
Other
Federal Loans
Federal Grants
VR
Institutional Scholarships
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about Financial Aid The financial aid process is surrounded by myths, misconceptions, and misunderstanding. Please know that the Financial Aid staff is always standing by to clarify any questions you may have. MYTH: Middle-class families do not qualify for financial aid. fact: Many middle-class families do, in fact, qualify for financial aid. Many factors other than income are considered when determining a financial aid package. MYTH: I don’t need to apply for financial aid. VR will pay for my education. fact: Per VR requirements, students are to complete the financial aid process regardless of whether they will get VR support or not. MYTH: Grants/scholarships and/or VR will pay for all of my educational expenses. fact: The primary responsibility for financing a college education, regardless of hearing status, falls on the student and/or his or her parent(s). For families that cannot afford to make payments outof-pocket, there are several Federal Loan Programs that can assist you with educational expenses not covered by “gift” aid. MYTH: It is not worth taking out a student loan for a college degree. fact: Pursuing a college education is an investment. Studies show that graduates with a bachelor’s degree have significantly higher earnings, on average, than a person who only holds a high school diploma.
Vocational Rehabilitation Vocational Rehabilitation is a federally-funded state program designed to help state residents who meet specific requirements and have disabilities get the training and education necessary to secure employment. Many Gallaudet students receive funding from their state VR agencies. Here are some tips for establishing a strong relationship with your VR counselor. Meet with your VR counselor early. Establish your career goals as early as your junior year in high school. Discuss expectations and goals. Decide how and when you will communicate with each other. Make sure to get a copy of your individualized rehabilitation plan for services. Get a copy of your VR authorizations if possible. These are your evidence that your VR agency has agreed to support your education at Gallaudet and will help you with your financial planning. Keep a personal file for all your VR paperwork. This includes agreements, copies of authorizations, financial aid awards (grants/ scholarships and loans) and personal budget plans. Plan in advance and refer back to your file periodically to ensure your expenses are always covered. For a listing of VR agencies in your state, visit admissions.gallaudet.edu/VRagencies.
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Contact us Gallaudet’s Financial Aid staff is here to help you navigate the process of applying for financial aid. Feel free to contact us via the following methods if you need information or have any questions. Website financialaid.gallaudet.edu This site includes in-depth application instructions and information as well as policies, information about how your eligibility is determined, and additional resources to help you educate yourself about financial aid.
Call (202) 651-5290 (Voice) (202) 618-6844 (VP) Office Hours are 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Email financial.aid@gallaudet.edu Email us anytime!
Financial Aid Office 800 Florida Avenue NE Washington, DC 20002
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2013-2014 Tuition and Fee Schedule: Basic Costs Per Semester* United States Citizen/ Permanent Resident
International Student**
Tuition
$6,712.00
$13,424.00
Unit Fee
$138.00
$138.00
Room
$3,250.00
$3,250.00
Board
$2,540.00
$2,540.00
Health Insurance Fee***
$2,100.00
$2,100.00
$50.00
$50.00
$14,790.00
$21,502.00
Health Service Fee Total
*Fees subject to change **Tuition and fees for international students may vary depending on the country of origin. ***Waived for students who provide proof of private insurance coverage
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Important dates to remember Early Admission and Application Fee Waiver deadline FAFSA and IFAA
December 15 Available online January 1
Admission application deadline for Merit Scholarship consideration
February 1
Admission application deadline for hearing undergraduate students
February 10
Admission application deadline for interpretation students (BAI)
April 30
Admission application deadline for international students
June 30
800 Florida Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 Undergraduate Admissions Edward Miner Gallaudet Building 800-995-0550 (tty, voice) 202-250-2474 (vp) 202-651-5744 (fax) admissions.office@gallaudet.edu facebook.com/gallaudet1864 twitter.com/gallaudetu youtube.com/gallaudetvideo Š 2012 Office of Communications and Public Relations Gallaudet University
Undergraduate Open House Fall 2012 Monday, October 8
ACT administered on Sunday, October 7
Friday, November 9 No ACT
Spring 2013 Friday, March 29
ACT administered on Saturday, March 30
Friday, April 19
ACT administered on Saturday, April 20