<p>How good is GW about FA? I know they don't meet 100% need, but how do they do FA wise? I'm a rising senior and starting to freak out about being able to pay for college. I don't want to be in debt the rest of my life.</p>
<p>GW is very expensive! You should be concerned about that! </p>
<p>GW gives both need-based and merit FA. </p>
<p>The amount of need-based aid is usually based on the FAFSA and CSS Profile and your “Student Aid Report” which you get back after you complete the FAFSA. GW then applies formulas as follows:</p>
<p>Cost of Attendance (COA) - Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) = Need FA. This is met by a combination of Grants, Loans, work-study - some “Free” others not. </p>
<p>Merit-Aid is also added and the amount is dependant on your GPA, SAT’s, and the strength of the class as a whole. Also, the amount of aid GW has available that year.</p>
<p>Example - My “S” recieved total “free-Aid” of scholarships, grants equal to 50% of the total COA at GW (60K/yr). So, 30K/yr Free making the cost of him attending GW 30K/yr.</p>
<p>This was less than GT (no aid offered), and regional private universities (e.g. Wake Forest Univ).</p>
<p>You never know until you apply! You only lose the app fee. I truly believe GW tries to be fair, but others on this forum have disagreed and have received minimal aid.</p>
<p>I think each student is different and has different means and stats.</p>
<p>So, apply and see what happens - it the FA offered is poor - go elsewhere.you can estimate your EFC by going to the FAFSAforecaster website.</p>
<p>CJ</p>
<p>I’m assuming that if i were to get any non-university scholarship, my aid would then go down? I really live GW, but I don’t want to be paying off debt the rest of my life.</p>
<p>Correct - you have to let GW know of any outside scholarships - that is factored into your total FA package.</p>
<p>Doesn’t hurt to apply - check with parents 1st.</p>
<p>CJ</p>