Financial Aid

First Floor, Sorenson Language and Communication Center
Email: financial.aid@gallaudet.edu
Website: https://gallaudet.edu/financial-aid/

Overview

Gallaudet University provides financial aid to students who demonstrate financial need in order to continue their postsecondary education. Financial aid is awarded to degree-seeking undergraduate students who are eligible for Title IV programs.

Financial Assistance Calculation

Financial need is determined using the following formula:

Financial Assistance Calculation:

Student Cost of Attendance (COA):

minus (-) student contribution (SAI)
minus (-) other outside resources
equals (=) financial need for which aid may be awarded

The student contribution is calculated using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which considers taxable and nontaxable income and assets. All applicants for financial aid at Gallaudet must submit the FAFSA, which also serves as the application for a Federal Pell Grant.

Students receiving vocational rehabilitation support should notify the Financial Aid Office immediately to ensure proper aid packaging.

Students and parents may estimate college costs, savings plans, expected family contributions, and other financial information using the Gallaudet Tuition and Aid Calculator.

Educational Costs

Financial aid is intended to assist with educational costs, including tuition, fees, room, board, books, transportation, and an average allowance for personal expenses while enrolled. Aid is not intended to meet all living costs; students should be prepared to cover personal living expenses.

Maximum Cost of Attendance for Financial Aid Purposes: $42,746

Application Process

Prospective students: May apply for financial aid after admission is granted. Students must complete the FAFSA to be considered for need-based aid. Merit scholarships are awarded at the time of admission by the Admissions Office to students who meet the eligibility criteria and must be maintained according to scholarship requirements.

Currently enrolled students: Are expected to complete the FAFSA on an annual basis to be considered for need-based financial aid.

Award notifications and revisions for need-based aid are sent via email and Workday, where students may review their aid packages. Merit scholarship awards are initially communicated by the Admissions Office at the time of admission, with all subsequent updates and maintenance communicated by the Financial Aid Office.

Application Deadlines

Applications are accepted at any time before or during the academic year.
Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis; institutional funds may be exhausted before priority deadlines.
FAFSA and all outstanding requirements must be completed four weeks before the last day of each term.
Applications received after priority deadlines are reviewed for federal grants, federal work-study (FWS), and federal loan eligibility if requested.

Financial Aid Eligibility

Undergraduate students must meet the following to receive Title IV programs (Federal Pell Grant, Federal College Work-Study, Federal Direct Loans):

Be enrolled in a degree-seeking program at Gallaudet University
Meet U.S. citizenship requirements
Make satisfactory progress toward the completion of a degree
Not be in default on a Federal Direct Loan
Not owe repayment on a Pell Grant or federal student loans
Not have reached lifetime limits for Pell Grants or loans

Note: Except for unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans and Parent PLUS Loans, all federal programs are need-based.

Eligibility for University and Federal Aid Programs

Program	UG	U.S.	INT'L	F/T	H/T	P/T	REPAY	GIFT	DEG
Pell Grant	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔		✔	✔
FSEOG	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔			✔	✔
Federal Work-Study (FWS)	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔			✔	✔
Need-Based Aid	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔		✔	✔
Merit-Based Aid (GU)	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔			✔	✔
Merit-Based Aid (Endowed/Donor)	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔		✔	✔
Federal Student Loans	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔		✔		✔
Parent PLUS Loans	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔		✔		✔
Private Loans	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔		✔

Abbreviation	Meaning
UG	Undergraduate Student
U.S.	U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen
INT'L	International Student
F/T	Full-time (12+ credits)
H/T	At least 6 credit hours
P/T	Less than 6 credit hours
REPAY	Loan, must be repaid
GIFT	Does not require repayment
DEG	Must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program
SPEC	Non-degree or not eligible for aid