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Information for School of Continuing Studies Students

Liberal Studies Program     Certificate Programs

Georgetown University does not offer scholarships to students enrolled in the Liberal Studies (Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, or "BALS"; Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, or "MALS"); and Master of Professional Studies ("MPS") degree programs, due to limited funding and the program's special tuition rate.  Below follow some of the most commonly used means of financing a Liberal Studies degree.   

Federal Aid

Federal Pell Grants (BALS degree candidates only) - Federal Pell Grants are awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to first-degree undergraduate students they determine to have great financial need. The amount of each individual grant award depends on program funding and the student's eligibility and enrollment status. Students apply for the Federal Pell Grant by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Federal Stafford Loans  - Stafford Loans are government sponsored low interest loans available to students through a private lender such as a bank, credit union, or savings and loan association.

There are two types of Stafford Loans: subsidized Stafford Loans and unsubsidized Stafford Loans.

Interest rates for loans disbursed after July 1, 2008 are fixed at:

Undergraduate Subsidized Stafford: 6%                    Undergraduate Unsubsidized Stafford: 6.8%                 Graduate Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford: 6.8%

The federal government pays the interest accruing on a subsidized Federal Stafford Loan while the student is enrolled at least half-time.

Under the unsubsidized Stafford program, interest accrual begins at disbursement and may be paid as it accrues or capitalized. Repayment of principal and interest begins six months after a student’s last enrollment on at least a half-time basis. To view a Stafford loan lender comparison chart, please click here.

Private Loans for Liberal Studies Undergraduates

Undergraduate students may apply directly to private lenders for funding. Eligibility is based on credit history and in some cases, ability to repay.  When a private loan is approved, the GU Office of Student Financial Services is required to certify costs and enrollment. The maximum amount that a student may borrow per academic period is the total cost of attendance budget minus all financial aid received. To view a private loan lender comparison chart, please click here.

PLUS Loans for Liberal Studies Graduate Students

Graduate students may apply directly to a private lender for funding. The student borrower must be a US citizen or an eligible non-citizen, enrolled at least half-time, not default on any prior loans or owe a refund on any Federal student aid programs. The student borrower must complete the current year FAFSA to determine eligibility. The interest rate is fixed at 8.5% and the loan typically carries a 3% origination fee. The maximum amount that a student may borrow per academic period is the total cost of attendance budget minus all financial aid received. To view a Graduate PLUS loan lender comparison chart, please click here.

Outside Grants

Students can also consider funding that might be available from groups with which they are associated, such as professional organizations, fraternal groups, unions, corporations, and churches. 

The following websites offer free scholarship search assistance. 

• College Answer
  This site is hosted by Sallie Mae, Inc. the student loan and education financing company.  The database is expanded and updated daily.  Every time you logon or update your profile a new search matches you with the latest info.
   
• The College Board Scholarship Search
  This site's online tool helps you locate scholarships, internships, grants, and loans that match your education level, talents, and background.
   
• CollegeNet Mach25
  This site lets you search their database by keyword, e.g. enter "soccer" to see awards related to that sport.
   
• FastWEB (Financial Aid Search Through the WEB)
  This site invites students to create a personalized profile that is matched against a database of scholarships.  Registrants with the site receive emails when new scholarships are added to the database that match their profile, and reminders when application deadlines are approaching.
   
• Lunch - Money.com 
  This site helps you find scholarships by offering over a dozen ways to search their database, and offers online application forms for select scholarships.
   
• Scholarship Resource Network (SRN) Express
  This site includes a database of undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate awards, including student loan forgiveness programs.

Other sites that may be of interest to Liberal Studies students:

• Financial Aid for Students 30 and over - http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/older.phtml

Zonta Scholarships – http://www.zonta.org

• Clairol Scholarship - Offers scholarships to women 25 or older, must be US citizens. Awards are based on need and range from $200-$1000. For application write to:

  Clairol Scholarship Program
  c/o Business and Professional Women's Foundation
  Attn: Irma Berks
  22012 Massachusetts Ave NW
  Washington, DC 20036

Part-Time Employment

Though the majority of degree candidates in the Liberal Studies Program are career-oriented professionals, there is part-time employment available through the GU Employment Referral Service (http://seo.georgetown.edu).  The GU Employment Referral Service lists over 2,500 part-time, temporary, and summer jobs in the D.C. metropolitan area each year. A wide range of part-time employment opportunities are available in all sectors of the local market, including professional associations, research institutes, finance, law, governmental affairs, museums and the arts, as well as retail and food service positions. Students can also review temporary listings for information about one-time or short term jobs like home or child care, party help, yard work, or brief office assignments. Many of these opportunities for "quick cash" are within walking or short commuting distance of the University.

Tuition Assistance – Georgetown Employees

Full-time Georgetown employees (Faculty, Staff, and Academic Administrative Professionals) may be eligible for tuition benefits for participation in the Liberal Studies Program. Contact Georgetown Office of Faculty and Staff Benefits for more information about the Tuition Assistance Program (TAPs). 

Practical Tips for Liberal Studies Students

• Undergraduate Transfer Credit: The amount that you can borrow depends on your class standing.  Therefore, it is important to note that your class standing (i.e., freshman, sophomore) is affected by the timing of the transfer of credit from previous institutions.  For BALS students, transfer credit is posted after the successful completion of the student’s first semester as a degree candidate.  At this juncture, the transfer credits are reviewed and posted on the student’s record, and the student’s status is then updated.

• Thesis Research/Thesis Writing: Following the approval of the thesis proposal in the Master’s program, students register in the three-credit Thesis Research/Thesis Writing courses offered during the fall or spring semesters.  Enrollment in these two courses constitutes half-time status.  The Thesis Writing course is the final three-credit course for all Master’s candidates and for Bachelor’s candidates who choose the three-credit thesis option.  Students must also register at the same time for the Thesis Research course which is for 0 credits, $0 tuition, and carries no grade.  It is imperative and required that one register in both Thesis Research and Thesis Writing  in the same semester – if one does not, potential loan certification issues may arise.

• Summer Coursework: One course in the summer semester constitutes half-time status, as opposed to the regular academic year, in which two courses constitute half-time status.

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS – CENTER FOR CONTINUING AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION (CCPE)

Neither Georgetown University nor the Federal Government offers financial aid to CCPE students, as the programs are part-time and non-credit certificate offerings.

Private Funding

There are options for CCPE tuition assistance through loans from private lenders.  Students may wish to apply directly to private lenders for funding.  For further information pertaining to loan options, please contact the CCPE Program Office at 202-687-7000.

Some companies offer Employee Reimbursement options. CCPE will accept payment from employers willing to pay for all or portions of your tuition at CCPE. An agreement may be worked out between the student, employer and the appropriate CCPE Program Manager to devise a payment plan.  Contact the CCPE Program Office for further assistance.

Tuition Assistance – Georgetown Employees

Georgetown employees (Faculty, Staff, and Academic Administrative Professionals) may be eligible for tuition benefits in Center for Professional Development offerings, depending on the chosen certificate of study.  For specific information on applicability of benefits towards CCPE offerings, please contact Georgetown University's Human Resources Department for more information about the Tuition Assistance Program (TAPs).