Enrollment and Eligibility
Graduate Students Taking Undergraduate Courses
Graduate students taking undergraduate coursework will be awarded financial aid based ONLY on the number of graduate degree credits. To qualify for federal and institutional aid programs, graduate students must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours of graduate coursework.
Summer Students
Some limited financial aid is available for summer school, which is considered to be the "last" semester of the award year for financial aid. Students who wish to apply for summer school aid must complete a Summer FAFSA. Summer school aid will be awarded only to students who have completed the FAFSA and registered for classes.
Summer aid is awarded to eligible students for degree-credit coursework only. Non-degree credit Sign Language courses and credits offered through other University departments/colleges will not be supported by financial aid. Summer aid will not cover coursework that is repeated.
Summer financial aid is limited. Students taking summer courses should not depend solely on financial aid to cover summer charges.
Undergraduate Students Beginning Graduate Program in Summer
Undergraduate students who plan to begin a graduate program in summer and who have been enrolled as undergraduate students in the fall and/or spring MUST COMPLETE A FAFSA FOR THE 2024-2025 ACADEMIC YEAR AS A GRADUATE STUDENT. FAFSA results for undergraduate students are invalid for awarding graduate-level financial aid. Adjusted FAFSAs must be filed by the beginning of May for the prior academic year. For example, a student who is an undergraduate in Fall 2024-Spring 2025 and who starts a graduate program in Summer 2025 MUST correct their 2024-2025 FAFSA (before May if possible) to reflect graduate-level status. It is essential that undergraduate students beginning a graduate program in summer consult the Financial Aid Office about requirements and applications even before acceptance into a graduate program.
Online Students
Students taking online courses may receive financial aid funding (if otherwise eligible); however, the cost of education used to determine financial aid eligibility for online classes will include tuition, fees, and books. Students may choose to live in University housing while taking online courses; however, the expenses related to dorm residence will not be included in financial aid calculations or in the amount of aid granted.
International Students
International students must document sufficient support from personal or private resources to obtain valid immigration permits; therefore, no aid is awarded to first-year international students. International students are expected to be responsible for meeting education expenses for the entire length of their programs. Very limited aid is available to international students. Awards for international students are determined by both the Financial Aid Office and International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), based on the availability of funds and individual need. Assistance through the University is provided only with documentation of unexpected reductions or cancellations of previously planned support. International students who are receiving ongoing family/private support or assistance through other University departments may not be eligible for financial aid.
Special/Visiting Students
Special students are not eligible for financial aid.
Students who are attending other institutions and who are enrolling at Gallaudet for one or two semesters are considered visiting or special students and are not eligible for financial aid. In some cases, students' home institutions will agree to transfer any aid for which they are eligible to Gallaudet via a Consortium Agreement; however, all visiting students must apply for aid at their home institutions, not at Gallaudet. Visiting students should discuss their plans with the Financial Aid Office at their home schools (degree-granting institution) prior to attending Gallaudet.