STUDENT ASSISTANCE FUNDS

The Student Assistance Funds is managed in partnership with the CARE Team that can be used to cover a variety of expenses. Student hardship and emergency fund applications are reviewed on a weekly rolling basis. For any questions and/or updates about your request, please email [email protected].

This academic year we have received an unprecedented amount of student requests for financial assistance. Please consider donating to one of our funds so we can continue to support students as they navigate their time at GW. 

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Cokie & Steve Roberts SMPA Student Support Fund

Named in honor of groundbreaking broadcast journalist, the late Cokie Roberts, and her husband, Steve Roberts, the J.B. and M.C. Shapiro Professor of Media and Public Affairs, the Cokie and Steve Roberts SMPA Student Support Fund will provide support for School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA) undergraduate students as they pursue their education at GW. 

The purpose of this fund is to support students facing financial hardship, including unmet need and financial emergencies. In the spirit of Cokie and Steve, the fund will support as many students as possible each semester and students with the greatest need will be given priority. Cokie and Steve Roberts SMPA Student Support Fund awards typically range up to $7,500.

What can be funded? 

The fund can be used to support students who meet the following criteria: 

• Currently enrolled as a degree-seeking full-time or part-time undergraduate SMPA student at the George Washington University and; 
• Experiencing financial hardship. 

Apply for the SMPA Student Support Fund

GW Cares Student Assistance Fund

The GW Cares Student Assistance Fund was established in March 2020 to provide critical support to GW students in need as a result of the pandemic. Today, the Fund helps support our students through unexpected financial hardship so they may complete their schoolwork in a safe, secure environment.

The GW Cares Student Assistance fund was created to support students who are in immediate need of temporary, short-term, financial assistance to cover essential expenses due to an emergency. Each application is reviewed individually by designated staff with urgency toward time-sensitive student needs. The Office of Student Financial Assistance is consulted to verify prioritization of greatest student need.

We are awarding to students who meet the following criteria:

• Currently enrolled as a degree-seeking full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate student at the George Washington University (please note that students are only eligible for the fund once per academic year)
• Experiencing unexpected financial hardship resulting from an unforeseen emergency 

What can be funded? Please note that this list is non-exhaustive: 

• Emergency medical and dental expenses
• Technology/equipment needed to ensure continuity of education
• Academic support and materials required for educational success
• Essential personal belongings/medications
• Travel expenses due to emergency
• Unmet safety needs
• Temporary food assistance
• Temporary housing (outside of existing housing expenses prior to emergency)

Emergency funding awards will not exceed $1,000.

The GW Cares Student Assistance Fund is not accepting applications at this time. Our team is working hard to secure funding to reopen the fund soon. Please click here if you would like to donate money toward the GW Cares Fund. 

Ronald W. Howard Student Assistance Fund

The Ronald W. Howard Student Assistance Fund provides financial assistance to students who incur unexpected expenses they cannot cover in an emergency.

The fund can be used to support students who meet the following criteria: 

• Currently enrolled as a degree-seeking full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate student at the George Washington University,
• Experiencing unexpected financial hardship resulting from an unforeseen emergency, and
• Have unmet financial need 

Students can only be awarded once during their time at GW and awarded funds cannot exceed $1,000.

Apply for the Ronald W. Howard Student Assistance Fund

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Students

Does a CARE Referral mean I'm in trouble?

No, a CARE Referral is a safe and centralized way for the public to express any concerns over a GW student.

What if I don't want outreach from CARE or campus partners?

Students are allowed to refuse services from the CARE Team or campus partners unless safety to themselves or others are threatened. 

Can the CARE Team write excuse notes?

The CARE Team can offer communications for students who may be experiencing a death in the family or a personal emergency. Requests for communication are reviewed case-by-case and are not guaranteed. 

We encourage students to engage in the following: 

• Always reach out to your faculty directly to arrange making up missed work or assignments.
• When possible, Student Support should be contacted prior to a student leaving campus and not after the student returned.
• A Student Support Absence Notification does not excuse an absence or replace any absence policy listed on a course syllabus. Faculty may excuse absences at their own discretion. 

Will my future employers or schools know about my CARE Referral? 

CARE Referrals are protected by FERPA. To read more about FERPA, please click here: https://privacy.gwu.edu/ferpa

Can I submit a CARE Referral? 

Yes, you can submit a CARE Referral for yourself or another GW student (undergraduate or graduate). 

Faculty & Staff

What are some common signs a student may benefit from CARE Outreach?

Common Signs Academically: 

• Sudden decline in quality of work or grades
• Repeated absences 
• Multiple requests for extensions on assignments 
• Overly demanding of faculty and staff on time and attention 
• Disturbing content in writing or presentation (i.e. violence, death, etc.)
• Continuous classroom disruptions

Common Signs Physically: 

• Marked changes in physical appearance, including deterioration in grooming, hygiene, or weight change
• Excessive fatigue/sleep disturbance
• Intoxication, hangovers, or smelling of alcohol 
• Disoriented or "out of it"
• Garbled, tangential, disconnected, or slurred speech 
• Behavior is out of context or bizarre 

Commons Signs Psychologically: 

• Self-disclosure of personal distress such as family problems, financial difficulties, grief, or relationship issues 
• Unusual/disproportionate emotional response to events 
• Excessive tearfulness or panic reactions
• Verbal abuse (i.e. taunting, badgering, intimidation)
• Expression of concern about the student by their peers
• Delusions and paranoia 

What should I include in a CARE Referral?

We encourage all potential reporters to include basic information of the student such as first name, last name, and GWID if possible. Reporters should provide a brief description of the challenges/obstacles the student may be experiencing to ensure the student receives the appropriate support.

Can I submit a report anonymously?

Yes, however, the CARE Team cannot guarantee anonymity. If anonymity is not possible, please contact the GW CARE Team ([email protected]) for any additional assistance. 

I've submitted a CARE Referral but I have not seen any changes from the student's behaviors/actions. Why would that be?

Students in distress may not always be prepared to move forward with solutions to their obstacles/challenges. If you notice patterns of behavior/action continuing, submit an additional referral to reflect these updates. 

Will a CARE Referral affect a student's future employment or education opportunities?

CARE Referrals are protected by FERPA. To read more about FERPA, please click here.

Parents, Families & Guardians

My student has been acting differently. When should I be concerned?

Common Signs Academically: 

• Sudden decline in quality of work or grades
• Repeated absences 
• Multiple requests for extensions on assignments
• Overly demanding of faculty and staff on time and attention
• Disturbing content in writing or presentation (i.e. violence, death, etc.)

Common Signs Physically: 

• Marked changes in physical appearance, including deterioration in grooming, hygiene, or weight change
• Excessive fatigue/sleep disturbance 
• Intoxication, hangovers, or smelling of alcohol
• Disoriented or "out of it"
• Garbled, tangential, disconnected, or slurred speech 
• Behavior is out of context or bizarre

Common Signs Psychologically:

• Self-disclosure of personal distress such as family problems, financial difficulties, grief, or relationship issues 
• Unusual/disproportionate emotional response to events 
• Excessive tearfulness or panic reactions
• Irritability or unusual apathy 
• Verbal abuse (i.e. taunting, badgering, intimidation)
• Expression of concern about the student by their peers
• Delusions and paranoia

How can I be involved in the CARE Referral process?

We encourage parents/guardians to be involved through this process through supporting their plan of action and active listening. This may vary across students as each student presents a different set of needs. We encourage you to openly communicate with your student about their needs and how you can provide support for those needs. 

Will a CARE Referral affect my student's future employment or education opportunities?

CARE Referrals are protected by FERPA. To read more about FERPA, please click here.

My student was helped in the past but now is facing different challenges. Can I submit a CARE Referral again?

Yes, the CARE Team can serve a student any time during their enrollment at GW. 

Can I submit a report anonymously?

Yes, however, the CARE Team cannot guarantee anonymity. If anonymity is not possible, please contact the GW CARE Team ([email protected]) for any additional assistance. .