Messages

To: All Undergraduate Students and Families
From: Provost Robert Groves and Geoffrey Chatas, SVP and COO
Subject: Financial Aid and Billing for Fall 2020

Dear Georgetown Students and Families:

On Friday, July 31st , the university communicated to many continuing students who receive financial aid about their 2020-21 aid packages. We regret that we created confusion and concern for many recipients and caused some students and other members of our community to question whether we are honoring our commitments to affordable access.  

As many of you know, Georgetown is one of only a few dozen colleges that maintains “need-blind” admissions, and a “meet-full-need” financial aid program for undergraduates. In addition, this year we announced a 10 percent reduction in undergraduate tuition, which amounts to $2,900 for full-time students.  Today we wanted to provide some important updates on steps that we are taking for the Fall 2020 semester to further support students and their families:

Earlier last  week, we clarified that a tuition credit (new window) of up to $2,900 will be posted to the accounts of financial aid recipients with any amount of family contribution. This credit will be applied to the billing statement distinctly and separately from the GU Scholarship reported on award letters, because by offering this discount, Georgetown is going beyond its traditional commitment to meet students’ full financial need.

Georgetown will waive the student summer work contribution entirely, and will issue revised financial aid awards reflecting this waiver no later than August 26.

Georgetown will consider requests for reconsideration of aid (new window) eligibility resulting from the reduction of 2020 income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students and families may begin this process now. They may also begin to request reconsideration of aid eligibility for other reasons, including changes in their housing status and expenses for the Fall 2020 semester.  

Georgetown will delay planned distribution of undergraduate billing statements and set billing due dates, payment plans, and penalty assessment plans to afford maximum flexibility to students and families. Tuition will be charged on Monday August 31, and billing statements will be issued on Tuesday, September 1. Payment plans will be offered with no enrollment fees, eliminated interest, and extended time horizons. Payment will be due September 30, but Georgetown will not penalize undergraduate students for overdue balances until the end of October.

Undergraduate students with completed financial aid applications will be able to apply for emergency loans in an increased amount (new window) ($2,500) to cover books and other  expenses, starting on August 16.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this challenging time. Students and parents can direct  financial aid questions to the Office of Student Financial Services (OSFS) by calling 202-687-4547 or emailing finfront@georgetown.edu (new window). Billing questions may be directed to Student Accounts, at 202-687-7100 or studentaccounts@georgetown.edu (new window) where they can expect a response within one (1) business day.

Georgetown’s commitment to financial aid is stronger than ever. This year we budgeted $140 million towards undergraduate financial aid, the most ever, and will devote at least $20 million more for Fall 2020 to fulfill these changes we’re sharing with you today  Please know that we intend to move ahead as carefully and thoughtfully as possible with the best intentions and with the goal of putting students first.  

Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves, Provost

Geoff Chatas, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

To: Graduate and Professional Students
From: Richard Marea and David Green
Date: July 21, 2020
Subject: Tuition Charges and Billing for Fall 2020

Dear Georgetown Students,

 Following the announcements from university leaders about the operating status for the fall 2020 semester, we are writing to share our plans for tuition assessment and billing.

We plan to start posting tuition to your student account for Fall 2020 later today. For most students, this will be based on actual course registrations, but for some, we will assess tuition based on your program of study’s expectation of course load. Our website includes details about current tuition rates (new window) for all programs of study. 

As you know, some or all instruction for academic year 2020-21 may be delivered virtually. Though the university’s operating status is subject to change based on public health conditions and the prioritization of the health and safety of our community, faculty have worked to ensure that all courses can be taught both in person and remotely. Because this flexibility has been built into the curriculum, tuition and mandatory fees will not be reduced or subject to refunds even if there is a change in the method of instruction during the academic year. Tuition is refundable in the case of withdrawal based on the tuition refund schedule (new window).

Tomorrow, July 22, we will issue billing statements that will include not only tuition charges, but also your expected financial aid, additional charges related to your program for the fall semester, and your total amount due. 

Our tuition due date for students in all programs is Friday, August 21. Some new students may have an earlier due date, set by their admissions office, which will be reflected on their billing statement. We encourage all students and families to review our three payment plan options (new window), which can help spread the amount due over the semester. 

We are excited for the coming Fall 2020 semester even in the midst of these uncertain and challenging times. We recognize the pandemic has impacted all of us in profound and unexpected ways, and we remain committed to supporting our community through this crisis. Please do not hesitate to contact us at 202-687-7100 or studentaccounts@georgetown.edu (new window) if you have any questions or concerns. 

Sincerely,

 Richard Marea
Revenue and Receivables

 David Green
Chief Financial Officer

To: Undergraduate Students and Families
From: Robert Groves and Geoffrey Chatas
Date: July 21, 2020
Subject: Fall 2020 Undergraduate Tuition, Housing and Dining Charges

Dear Undergraduate Students and Families,

Earlier this month we shared Georgetown’s plan for Fall 2020. In recognition of the impacts of COVID-19 and our plans for returning students to campus, we have examined our undergraduate student tuition, fees, housing and dining charges. 

In order to reduce density on our campus and in our residence halls, we are planning to begin the Fall semester by limiting the number of undergraduates on our campus to approximately 2,000, including the following groups of students:

Members of the first-year class, the Class of 2024;

Students whose personal or family situation makes it impossible or unrealistic to pursue their studies at their permanent address;

A limited number of seniors and other students whose graduation requirements and academic program present the greatest need to have an on-campus presence; and,

Some student Resident Assistants to support this small residential community.

Our ability to implement this plan is dependent on DC government approval and the course of the pandemic.

To further support the health of our community, we have altered the undergraduate academic calendar to reduce the amount of travel by buses, trains and airplanes during the term. This is an effort to reduce the risk of infection for students, faculty and staff. Except for some early offerings, classes will begin on August 26, the Labor Day and mid-semester holiday will be eliminated, and the last hybrid mode undergraduate class on Main Campus will be on November 20, with the remainder of classes to be held in virtual mode only through December 8. Most undergraduates in Main Campus residence halls will depart their residence halls after their last on-campus class on November 20, and will remain at their home location rather than return to campus after Thanksgiving.

For those students on campus, the University is implementing a number of steps to support their health and safety. These include, among other things, personal daily symptom screening; viral testing; enhanced cleaning of common spaces; extra food service precautions; reconfigured spaces to account for physical distancing; and housing all students in single-occupancy bedrooms.

For the Fall semester, 2020, students who are not invited back to campus will receive a 10 percent reduction in tuition. The University takes this step in recognition that undergraduate students who return to campus will have access to certain services that will be unavailable to off-campus students.

Students invited back to live on campus will be charged the previously announced tuition for Fall 2020. However, in recognition of the impacts of the health precautions on residence life, they will be charged the lower double-occupancy rate instead of the higher single-occupancy rate for their housing. Further, both housing and dining charges will be reduced by 20 percent to account for the shorter length of the semester. Eligibility for financial aid will be reviewed by the Office of Student Financial Services, and any aid offered will be revised where necessary to incorporate these and any future changes in our tuition, housing and dining charges. If, prior to the start of the Fall semester, public health concerns preclude having any undergraduates on campus, all undergraduates will receive the 10 percent discount.

Regardless of whether courses use in-person or virtual instructional modes, all undergraduate students will continue to receive an impactful, quality Georgetown education. Faculty members are planning new and innovative ways to use virtual learning technologies, and we are planning events and access to speakers from around the world that make the most of the online platform. Our staff members in the Office of Students Affairs are working on inventive ways to create virtual events that support clubs and affinity groups. And Georgetown’s vital student services will continue to be available to all students.

We recognize the significant investments students and families make to pursue a Georgetown education. We continue to minimize tuition increases, and we maintain our deep commitment to attracting the most promising students regardless of their financial circumstances. To support that commitment, Georgetown continues to be one of only a few dozen colleges that maintains a “need-blind” admissions and a “meet-full-need” financial aid program for undergraduates, meaning that every student admitted to Georgetown through a rigorous selection process can attend regardless of their ability to pay. Our commitment to these values remains strong, and during this unprecedented and challenging time we will continue to work to aid all students in need of financial assistance.

Due to the dynamic nature of the pandemic, we have not made any decision on tuition beyond the Fall 2020 semester. Please know that University leaders, faculty and staff take your financial burden seriously and work hard each year to reduce direct costs and increase philanthropic support for scholarships. For more information, please refer to our list of answers to frequently asked questions (new window) or call the COVID-19 helpline at 202-784-3510, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. ET Monday-Friday.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves, Provost

Geoffrey S. Chatas, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

To: All Main and Medical Campus Graduate Students
From: Todd A. Olson, Ph.D.
Date: May 18, 2020
Subject: Support for Graduate Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Dear Graduate Students,

I hope that this note finds you and your family and friends healthy and safe. I write in acute awareness of the practical and emotional strains that the COVID-19 pandemic has generated for our entire community, and of the particular academic, financial and professional anxieties it has created for graduate students. 

I know that many of you have pressing needs, and I want to assure you that we are working to address them as fully as we can given the circumstances. 

The university has begun convening colleagues and experts to focus on four areas of work: Public Health, Finances, Academic Planning and Operations. This work is ongoing. As we enter the summer period and begin to prepare for the fall term, the university also recently announced steps to respond to the continuing financial impact of the COVID-19 crisis. 

This crisis has impacted all of us in profound ways. I am sharing information about some resources available to graduate students below with knowledge that they cannot fully meet the unique needs of every member of our community. However, as an institution dedicated to cura personalis, care of the whole person, we are committed to offering support to our community throughout this crisis.

CARES Act Funding

With funding provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Georgetown will make direct emergency grants to certain students who are eligible for CARES Act funding. Approximately $320,000 will be granted directly to certain eligible graduate and professional students to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.

Graduate students on the Main Campus, School of Continuing Studies and at the Medical Center, who are U.S. citizens eligible for federal funding, and were enrolled as degree-seeking students in on-campus programs during the spring 2020 semester, can apply for this funding through the same application for the COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund. If you did not, the deadline to apply to be considered for funds available through the CARES Act is Friday, May 22 at 5 p.m.

COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund

Georgetown’s COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund is intended to provide one-time, short-term relief of up to $1,000 for certain students who are experiencing immediate financial hardship. This fund is supported by contributions from alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff. Students can submit an application on an ongoing basis through the fall 2020 semester. 

Financial Aid

The Office of Student Financial Services works with students to assess their ability to meet educational costs, awards federal aid and provides information on other available educational financing options.

Students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens, and who are enrolled at least half-time, can apply for federal financial aid this summer or for the upcoming academic year by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). International students may fund their education through private education loans. More information can be found on the Student Financial Services website.

Graduate Career Center Resources

The Graduate Career Center is providing services and connecting both continuing and graduating students to opportunities over the summer. The Graduate Career Center is:

1. Developing a platform to connect graduate students with alumni who have part-time opportunities available this summer. This will allow students who participate to gain skills, make connections and enhance their resumes while searching for full-time employment. The program will launch this June and continue through the fall as opportunities arise; graduate students will receive additional information when the program is ready to launch.  

2. Finding opportunities across campus and beyond for graduate students to develop resume-enhancing skills this summer. These would include short-term, skill-building courses in areas such as data analytics, digital marketing and project management.

3. Continuing to provide individual career coaching to recent graduates to ensure they are supported by these services throughout the summer.

Students should also check in with their school’s career center, which has resources, opportunities and alumni connections specifically designed for the industries and job functions most related to their degree.

Mental Health and Telehealth Resources

The Student Health Center is offering virtual services and some in-person visits. Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) and Health Education Services (HES) continue to offer free, virtual services to students. The Mental Health and Telehealth Resources page also provides quick access to national resources available to members of our community. 

I want to close by expressing my admiration and appreciation for the many ways that you as a community have responded to our current situation: your resilience as students, teachers and scholars has been inspiring. 

Sincerely,

Todd Olson
Vice President for Student Affairs

To: All Main and Medical Campus Graduate Students
From: Todd A. Olson, Ph.D.
Date: May 8, 2020
Subject: COVID-19 Pandemic Response Funding for Graduate Students

Dear Students,

In order to address the urgent needs of students in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am writing today to provide updates about funding resources available to students experiencing financial hardship during this time.

Georgetown COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund for Students

Last month the university established a COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund for Students. The fund has received contributions from alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff, and provides grants to students who require assistance covering emergency expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

All current undergraduate and graduate students in degree programs on the Main Campus, School of Continuing Studies and Georgetown University Medical Center (School of Medicine, Biomedical Graduate Education and School of Nursing and Health Studies) are eligible to apply. The Law Center has its own separate fund, and law students can apply for support through the Georgetown Law Student Emergency Fund.

Georgetown’s COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund is intended to provide one-time, short-term relief for degree-seeking students, regardless of U.S. citizenship status, experiencing immediate financial hardship. The maximum amount of any individual’s grant will be $1,000. The grants are not loans and are not expected to be paid back. Grants will be made to help recipients pay for expenses related to the COVID-19 emergency, including but not limited to:

Computing costs for transition to virtual learning (examples might include purchase or repair costs for laptops, PCs, tablets, monitors, printers, scanners, hot spot equipment, etc.);

Emergency travel to/from Georgetown, and/or from study abroad to home;

Moving and storage costs incurred as a result of the COVID-19 emergency;

COVID-19-related testing, doctor visits, medications and hospitalizations not covered by insurance; and

Individual student’s rent/utilities/food not covered by their family/guardian, and incurred as a result of the COVID-19 emergency.

Unfortunately, grants cannot be given to meet non-student expenses or educational expenses that were already included in the student’s cost of attendance, such as tuition or university-provided housing. Students should apply for consideration for funding when they have exhausted all other resources.

Students can submit applications immediately and on a rolling basis through the fall 2020 semester.

Federal CARES Act Funding

With funding provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Georgetown will make direct emergency grants to eligible students. The amount Georgetown received is based on the number of students with high financial need and the university’s total student enrollment.

A portion of the CARES Act funding will be allocated to eligible graduate students based on certain criteria. Information for eligible graduate students will be communicated to those students in the days ahead.

As an institution dedicated to cura personalis, care of the whole person, we are committed to supporting our community through this crisis. I would like to thank our generous alumni and friends who are helping to provide this support to the members of our community who are facing hardships during this time.

Sincerely,

Todd A. Olson, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs

To: Undergraduate Students
From: Todd A. Olson, Ph.D.
Date: May 8, 2020
Subject: COVID-19 Pandemic Response Funding for Undergraduate Students

Dear Georgetown Students,

In order to address the critical needs of students in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am writing to provide updates about funding resources available to students experiencing financial hardship during this time.

Federal CARES Act Funding

With funding provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Georgetown will provide approximately $3.055 million in direct emergency grants to eligible students with the highest financial need. The amount Georgetown received is based on the number of students with high financial need and the university’s total student enrollment.

To cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19, grants of $2,600 will be provided to undergraduate students, including seniors, whose expected family contribution toward educational expenses as calculated by the university was less than $15,000 during the 2019-2020 academic year. Undergraduate students who meet the financial need criteria but who are not eligible for federal CARES Act funds will receive a $2,600 grant funded by the university from institutional funds.

Eligible students will receive a separate email from the university by close of business today and do not need to take any action at this time to receive the funds. These eligible students will be given the option to receive funds electronically or via a check mailed to their permanent address as recorded in the MyAccess student portal.

A portion of the CARES Act funding will be allocated to eligible graduate students based on certain criteria. Information for eligible graduate students will be communicated to those students in the days ahead.

Additional information about CARES Act grants is available via a set of Frequently Asked Questions. Undergraduate students with questions regarding CARES Act funding can contact studentaccounts@georgetown.edu.

Georgetown COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund for Students

The university has also established a COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund for Students. The fund has received contributions from alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff, and provides grants to students who require assistance covering emergency expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Georgetown’s COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund is intended to provide one-time, short-term relief for students who are experiencing immediate financial hardship. The maximum amount of any individual’s grant will be $1,000. The grants are not loans and are not expected to be paid back. Graduating students are eligible to apply for costs incurred while enrolled at Georgetown.

Who May Apply:

All current undergraduate and graduate students in degree programs on the Main Campus, School of Continuing Studies, School of Nursing and Health Studies, and in the Georgetown University School of Medicine who are experiencing immediate financial hardship as a result of the pandemic;

All students must be degree-seeking;

Any student who fits the above, regardless of citizenship status;

Please note, these emergency funds for students are separate from the CARES Act funding.

Eligible Grant Categories (related to the COVID-19 emergency, including but not limited to):

Computing costs for transition to virtual learning (examples might include purchase or repair costs for laptops, PCs, tablets, monitors, printers, scanners, hot spot equipment, etc.);

Emergency travel to/from Georgetown, and/or from study abroad to home;

Moving and storage costs incurred as a result of the COVID-19 emergency;

COVID-19-related testing, doctor visits, medications and hospitalizations not covered by insurance; and

Individual student’s rent/utilities/food not covered by their family/guardian, and incurred as a result of the COVID-19 emergency.

Unfortunately, funds cannot be given to meet non-student expenses or educational expenses that were already included in the student’s cost of attendance. Students can submit an application immediately and on a rolling basis through the fall 2020 semester. Application review will begin the week of May 11, 2020.

As an institution dedicated to cura personalis, care of the whole person, we are committed to supporting our community through this crisis. I am thankful to our alumni and friends who are helping to provide this support to students who are facing hardships during this time. Students, please know we are thinking of you and are here for you.

Sincerely,

Todd A. Olson, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affair

To: Students Receiving Housing Credit
From: Georgetown University Revenue and Receivables via studentaccounts@georgetown.edu
Date: April 14, 2020
Subject: COVID-19 Update: Important Information Regarding On-Campus Housing Reimbursements

Dear Students,

We want to thank you again for your cooperation and patience as we worked through the many details regarding reimbursements for your on-campus housing charges following our transition to a virtual learning environment.

We write today to provide updates regarding account credits for the portion of the semester in which you did not occupy your university-provided housing.

Credits have now been posted to your student account in the amount of 45% of your semester housing charge. Forty-five percent (45%) represents the duration from March 16 to the end of the semester. If you receive a scholarship from Georgetown it may have been adjusted to reflect the reduced housing charge and your individual circumstances. 

More information about how these credits were calculated and how these changes impacted financial aid can be found among this list of frequently asked questions.

The housing credit will not automatically be paid out to you. You may request a refund of any credit balance on your student account via MyAccess, or you may leave the credit on your account to be applied towards future charges. The Revenue and Receivables department processes refund requests in two to three business days. Before requesting a refund, we strongly encourage students to establish a direct deposit refund profile in Student Account Services, accessible via MyAccess.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email studentaccounts@georgetown.edu or call (202) 687-7100. If you are a financial aid recipient and you have additional questions or concerns about how your aid was impacted, please email 2020-Housing-Refund@georgetown.edu.  

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding during these unprecedented times.

Sincerely,  

David Green
Chief Financial Officer  

Richard Marea
Revenue and Receivables

To: All Main, Medical, and Law Students
Date: March 31, 2020
Subject: Suspension of Financial Penalties and Collection Actions

Dear Students,

In light of the myriad financial difficulties COVID-19 has brought to many of our students and their families, Georgetown University has suspended all regularly scheduled financial penalties and collection actions with respect to Spring 2020 semester charges.

As of March 30, 2020, students enrolled in the Spring 2020 semester will not be subject to service charges, interest or other penalties normally applicable, until further notice. This includes the placement of financial holds that would normally have been placed in advance of Fall 2020 registration. All students otherwise eligible to register for Fall 2020 will be able to, regardless of their student account balance.

Revenue and Receivables will continue to issue billing statements on a monthly basis. By suspending collection activities, Georgetown is not forgiving unpaid charges. We encourage students able to make payments or other payment arrangements to do so.

If you have extenuating financial circumstances that you believe warrant individualized assistance, please be in touch with your campus financial aid office.

● Main Campus: finfront@georgetown.edu or 202-687-4547

● Law Center: lawfinaid@georgetown.edu or 202-662-9210

● Medical School: medfinaid@georgetown.edu or 202-687-1693

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding during these unprecedented times.

Sincerely,

David Green
Chief Financial Officer

Richard Marea
Revenue and Receivables

To: Students With Meal Plans Who Are No Longer On Campus
Date: March 24, 2020
From: studentaccounts@georgetown.edu
Subject: Action Required: Meal Plan Credit Reimbursements

Dear Georgetown Student,

We want to thank you again for your cooperation and patience as we work through the many details regarding reimbursements for your on-campus living expenses following our transition to a virtual learning environment.

We write today to provide updates regarding your meal plan and the issuing of refunds for the spring 2020 semester.

The Office of Student Accounts is processing meal credits for unused portions of meal plans and unused Flex Dollars, with the goal of providing the credit payment to you as quickly as possible. You are not required to request a refund of this credit. Instead, we will make payment in the amount of a credit to your direct deposit refund profile in Student Account Services. If there is no direct deposit information on file, checks will be mailed to the permanent address on file.

To ensure you receive timely payments, please verify that you have accurate direct deposit and permanent address information on file in Student Account Services, no later than 12 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25. You can access or create your refund profile by logging into MyAccess, navigating to Student Account Services, and then clicking on the Refunds link in the top menu bar. You can also review and update your permanent address via MyAccess by navigating to Personal Information >> Update Addresses and Phones.

Additionally, if you would like Flex Dollars to remain accessible to you through the remainder of the spring 2020 semester, please respond to this email. Students should expect to see updates to their student accounts by the end of this week. If there are any unpaid charges on your student account, the meal plan credit will be applied first to those charges and any remaining refund will be issued directly to you.

Details and logistics regarding credits for housing are still being finalized. We will follow-up with students as those details have been confirmed.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to email studentaccounts@georgetown.edu or call (202) 687-7100. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding during these unprecedented times.

Thank you,

Georgetown University
Revenue and Receivables