Two schools announced tuition discounts for degree seekers impacted by President Donald Trump’s federal workforce reductions, officials announced earlier this month.
The Columbian College of Arts & Sciences and the College of Professional Studies are offering approximately 20 percent tuition discounts to “current and recently dismissed” federal employees who are now considering attending GW and seeking an advanced degree, officials said via the schools‘ websites last week. CCAS is accepting applications “beyond the normal” fall 2025 semester’s admissions deadlines, the school’s website states, which for most CCAS programs fell on Feb. 1 if applicants requested for financial aid and on April 1 for all other applicants.
CPS’ March 12 release states that all eligible individuals must apply by April 1 for both the summer and fall semester, and all applicants must provide a copy of a dismissal letter from an agency or a copy of an email dismissal from the agency with a government email. CPS’ tuition discount applies to all CPS undergraduate and master’s programs, per the release.
“During this time of transition and uncertainty for those impacted by the administration’s downsizing efforts, this initiative signifies the College’s commitment to equipping the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators with the skills needed to attain professional success,” the CCAS website reads.
Qualified applicants must complete an admissions application for fall 2025 enrollment and must also include a proof of federal civil service employment or affected status in their application to be considered for the discount, per the CCAS website. The school’s officials are also providing an application fee waiver to “qualified applicants.”
The release states that CPS programs offer “flexible formats” for their courses, including online, hybrid and evening classes, which will allow students to balance their education, career and personal commitments.
The Trump administration vowed during the campaign period that it would drive large scale “structural reform” within the government by restructuring federal agencies and cutting bureaucracy. In November, Trump announced that he would create the Department of Government Efficiency to lead the proposed reform.
Since then, the Trump administration has pushed federal employees to take resignation incentive offers promising pay through September and has laid off thousands of federal employees in agencies like the Department of Education, Department of Veteran Affairs, United States Agency for International Development and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Officials offered a 10 percent discount in 2020 on fall tuition to undergraduates who do not return to campus after officials moved the semester online due to a rise in COVID-19 cases.
