Update on Additional Coronavirus Relief Funding


March 1, 2021

To the George Washington University Community:

As a result of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, the federal government has allocated GW and other universities additional funding to address the ongoing financial impact of the pandemic.  We are writing today to share more information about this funding, which includes student and institutional aid.

Student aid
The university has received approximately $4.5 million to provide directly to our students as emergency financial aid grants, and we will begin the process of distributing these grants immediately.  Consistent with the federal legislation, we will prioritize aid for those students with exceptional need, as follows:

  • Undergraduate students who have an expected family contribution (EFC) of $5,711 or less based on their 2020-21 FAFSA, which qualifies them for Pell Grants, and graduate and professional students whose 2020-21 EFC is $5,711 or less, are eligible to receive a one-time grant of approximately $794.
  • GW will contact the 5,735 eligible students directly by email this week to provide detailed instructions on how to accept and receive the grant, which may be used for any component of a student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus.

For more information on these grants, please refer to the HEERF website.

Institutional aid
The university also has received approximately $9.2 million to address institutional costs related to the pandemic.  Given our foremost priority of safety, the university will use this funding to help offset the significant costs associated with implementing and continually strengthening our public health capabilities, such as our in-house COVID-19 testing.  These capabilities are especially critical as we prepare for fall, when we will be back in person to the fullest extent possible.

As we manage the many impacts of the pandemic, we remain committed to safety, the care of our community, and fulfilling our core academic mission.  These priorities have driven, and will continue to drive, every decision we make.

Stay safe and stay well.

Sincerely,

M. Brian Blake
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Mark Diaz
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer