Families Frequently Asked Questions | Division for Student Affairs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Academics

What are office hours?

Office hours are times set aside by professors and/or teaching assistants that your student can utilize for the main purpose to discuss material being taught in the classroom. Students can use office hours to to seek clarification or conversation surrounding the class material. In addition, students can also discuss their major and programs of study, and graduation requirements, as well as summer internships, graduate schools, campus events, and much more. Students can find their instructors' office hours on the syllabus of the course.

How can my student access tutoring services?

GW students have access to free peer tutoring for a variety of courses! Many students use tutoring services to help them succeed in their classes. Your student can get connected to a tutoring by visiting here.

Where can my student purchase textbooks for their classes?

There are a variety of options for you and your student to explore for purchasing books. Please explore those options here.

Who helps students with physical or learning disabilities?

Disability Support Services (DSS) is the university’s central resource for academic support for students with disabilities. Please visit https://disabilitysupport.gwu.edu/prospective-students for more information on getting your student accommodations.

How can I get information about my student's academic progress/grades?

The University may disclose information from FERPA-protected education records to a parent, if one of the following conditions are met:

Student has provided consent through the Student Consent Form
Student is confirmed as a dependent on the most recent Federal Tax Form, through the Financial Dependency Form
Student is under the age of 21 and the disclosure is related to a violation of law or university policy, regarding the use or possession of alcohol or controlled substances, or involved in a health or safety emergency.

Further questions on the above should be addressed to the Office of the Registrar.

What is FERPA?

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a Federal law designed to protect the privacy of student education records,to establish the right of students to inspect and review their educational records, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate and misleading data through informal and formal hearings.

Dining

How do you accommodate allergies and special diets?

As part of the university's commitment to ensure every student has access to quality nutritious meals, GW Dining operates a robust food allergy station, Pure Eats, in each of its all-you-care-to-eat dining halls. Pure Eats eliminates the top 9 allergens (milk, eggs, nuts, fish, crustaceans, shellfish, wheat, soy, and sesame) from the menu and has a separate designated area for cooking and preparation.

As a nut-free program, no tree nuts or peanuts are served in any of our dining facilities.

GW Dining Staff is trained by the Registered Dietitian to ensure students feel comfortable sharing their dietary needs for specific accommodations in the dining halls. Our management, culinary staff, and allergen handling associates have completed a FARE-Certified food allergen training program, along with additional food allergy training specific to cross-contamination and meal preparation.

Please see our Food Allergy Guide for more information.

What are the hours of operation for on-campus dining?

Please visit here to view all hours of operation for our on-campus dining locations.

What is a swipe?

A swipe grants your student entry into any of our three all-you-care-to-eat dining facilities on campus. These locations include:

We also offer Meal Deals that are equivalent to one swipe at our on-campus quick service locations such as:

Swipes do not carry over between semesters.

What are dining dollars?

Dining dollars are funds students can use to purchase food at participating GW Dining Partners both on- and off-campus. These work as a dollar to dollar equivalent - so if a student buys a $5 sandwich for example, they will have $5 taken off their dining dollar balance.

Dining Dollars are accepted at nearly 80 GW Dining Partner locations.

Dining Dollars do carry over between semesters, and will remain on a student’s account until they leave the university.

Finances

How can I pay my students' tuition/bill?

There are a variety of ways to pay your student account bill; families can select those method(s) that best meet their needs. Some of these payment options include:

Ensure that the balance is paid in full by the first day of the semester. If the bill is not paid in full by the first day of the semester, the student will be assessed late payment fees and finance charges, as well as a financial hold.

How can my student apply for financial aid?

A FAFSA and a CSS Profile are required to apply for financial aid for all new undergraduate students including transfer students. Visit the Office of Student Financial Assistance's website for a complete list of requirements including deadlines. Students should also monitor their Eligibility Requirements Screen in GWeb to see if any other verification documents are required to process their financial aid.

Does GW offer merit scholarships?

Yes, applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships as part of the admissions process. Learn more about merit scholarships at GW.

Are international students eligible for financial or merit aid?

International students are not eligible for need-based financial assistance, but they are eligible for merit scholarships, for which there is no additional application.

Is all financial aid at GW guaranteed?

GW guarantees that any merit scholarship awarded to admitted students will remain the same from year to year. Federal loan assistance is also guaranteed to be awarded as long as the student completes their aid application on an annual basis. Need-based financial assistance (including grants and federal work-study) provided by GW or the federal government are subject to change based on the submission of an annual financial aid application. Please note that receiving both GW and federal aid assistance is dependent on the student making satisfactory academic progress.

Health & Wellness

What types of services are provided at the Student Health Center?

The Student Health Center provides services as it relates to Medical, Counseling, Psychiatry and Immunizations. For more information, please visit https://healthcenter.gwu.edu/about

What mental health resources are available on campus?

The Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) team serves students and engages the entire GW community, working to build a culture of support and connection with student well-being. We support mental health and personal development by collaborating directly with students to overcome challenges and difficulties that may interfere with academic, emotional, and personal success.

Our counselors provide a safe, non-judgmental and confidential environment for students to discuss concerns. We are committed to respecting and promoting the value of diversity at the university, as well as providing culturally sensitive counseling and psychological services to the GW community.

In addition, CAPS offers:

Does my student have to enroll in the GW Student Health Insurance Plan offered through Aetna?

Students are automatically enrolled in GW SHIP. You may waive GW SHIP provided that your private plan meets university criteria for coverage. You must submit information about your insurance coverage each year. If you do not wish to receive GW Student Health Insurance Plan coverage, you must opt out each academic year you remain enrolled at GW. Visit University Health Plans to opt out of the Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan.

Will you tell me if my student is ill or sought care at the Health Center?

You will only know if your student sought care at the Student Health Center directly from them. All services provided to students are confidential. All communication between a student and their clinician are also strictly confidential. A confidential medical record is established and maintained for every student who receives care. If your student is 18 years of age or older, information cannot be released to you without permission. Information is released only with the student's written permission, upon a court ordered subpoena, or in a life threatening situation.

If my student is in crisis, how can I get them support?

If your student in crisis, please call the The Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) team. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please call at (202) 994-5300 (option 3) to speak with a counselor.

Housing

What items can my student bring to the residence hall?

We all play a role in assuring the safety of the entire GW community, it will be the personal responsibility of the residents to maintain the hygiene and cleanliness of their space.

During the first two weeks of classes, Campus Living & Residential Education (CLRE) staff will work with every resident to establish a cleaning routine and schedule that all members will be expected to follow. Students may want to consider purchasing cleaning supplies upon arrival to campus.

Please visit here for a suggested list of items to bring before move-in.

What items are prohibited from the residence hall?

The following items are prohibited from residence halls and will be confiscated if found:

Candles, incense, and fragrance burners (unless religious observance while attended) Non-surge protected extension cords (examples)
This list is subject to change.
Halogen lamps (all desk and floor lamps)
Lanterns/oil lamps and flammable liquids
Liquid lighter fluid & Butane, no more than 12 ounces
Live holiday decorations (trees, garlands, etc.)
Weapons/FIreworks (GW Policy)
3D printers
Hazardous materials (not including household cleaners)
Portable/space heaters/ Microwaves or refrigerators (unless supplied by GW Facilities)
Cooking appliances in rooms without kitchens.
- Storing of small kitchen appliances is permitted, using small kitchen appliances is prohibited.

What if my student has a conflict with their roommate?

Conflicts are not uncommon, especially for students who have never had to share space with another person. It is important for roommates to establish an agreement early on regarding privacy needs, hours of sleep, study habits, television/stereo/computer use, sharing of personal property, visitors in the room, and overnight guests. Students who establish an agreement and maintain clear lines of communication are often more successful in their ability to live together.

Our philosophy on roommate conflicts dictates that learning to respond to and manage conflict appropriately is a skill that is necessary for long-term success in our residence halls and adulthood. Given our philosophy, students experiencing roommate conflicts are likely to be asked to meet with CLRE staff to mediate a dispute before a room change is approved. If your student is struggling to manage conflict with their roommate, please advise them to out to their Community Coordinator for support and the next steps.

Is there storage on campus during breaks?

GW does not provide storage on campus. While we recommend using our preferred provider, students can choose any company they wish for storage and shipping services. There are numerous vendors in the DC area that do provide storage and many offer their services on campus during the move-out period. As these are all independent companies not affiliated with the university, we recommend researching each company before storing your items with them. Please visit https://living.gwu.edu/shipping-storage for more information.

Safety

What support does GWPD provide?

The George Washington Police Department (GWPD) provides residential hall security and patrol services to the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses and oversees security at the VSTC campus. The Department also coordinates safety & security for a variety of on-campus special events, including Commencement, Alumni & Families Weekend and visits by dignitaries. In addition to those roles and responsibilities, GWPD provides crime prevention education to the GW community.

For emergencies please call GWPD at (202) 994-6111 or 911.

For non-emergencies, please call (202) 994-6110.

What are some safety tips my student can implement?

GWPD plays an active role in crime prevention. Educating the community about ways to keep yourself and your belongings safe is vital to achieving this goal.

Always be aware of your surroundings and environment.
Be familiar with locations of the Blue Light Emergency Phones on campus.
Know the locations and phone numbers of emergency responders.
Learn about the neighborhoods where you live, work, volunteer, and have fun.
Don’t text or look down at the ground, watch the cars and people around you.
Only wear headphones in one ear, so you can remain aware of your surroundings and environment.
Keep your phone charged, secure and out of sight. Always carry identification.

For more tips, please visit here.

How do we report a bias incident?

Students who have been the target of, or who witness, a hate or bias incident may use this online form to make the university aware of these incidents. In addition, hate or bias incidents may be reported through other reporting options outlined on the How To Report a Bias-Related Incident page.

What safety transportation resources are available for my student in the evening?

GW Safe Ride provides free and safe rides to GW students, faculty and staff within the Foggy-Bottom campus. This service helps to enhance the level of safety and quality of our community. GW Safe Ride operates from 7 PM to 4 AM every day except on designated university holidays.

Transportation

Can my student have a car on campus?

First-year students on Foggy Bottom cannot have a car on campus, but those on Mount Vernon can. Students in their second year and above may have a car, although very few students find it necessary. Find out more about Transportation and Parking Services on campus.

Without a car, how can my student get around campus?

No car? No problem.

The GW community has a wide variety of options to travel to and from our campuses such as:

GW Shuttles provides free shuttle services between the Foggy Bottom Campus, the Mount Vernon Campus, and the VSTC Campus. These shuttles offer a convenient means for students, faculty, and staff to travel between the campuses and access GW facilities.

The Foggy Bottom campus is served by a myriad of public transit options, including the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metrorail Station (Blue, Silver and Orange Lines), numerous Metrobus routes, & commuter buses from Maryland & Virginia. Metro, Metrobus, & the Circulator are all accessible via a SmarTrip card. SmarTrip cards can be purchased at metro rail stations & online from WMATA.

The George Washington University has joined the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) U•Pass program providing full-time students with unlimited use of Metrorail and Metrobus for a discounted, flat fee.

Visiting Campus

How can I schedule a campus tour?: Campus tours provide a taste of life at GW and time for questions for our student tour guides and professional staff! Each student is limited to two guests (for a maximum of three visitors per party). We may not be able to accommodate additional guests on the tour. Please schedule a tour by clicking here. If a tour isn't available on your desired day, use our self-guided tour booklet or our augmented reality tour.
Will I be able to tour a residence hall?: We are not able to show a residence hall on our campus tours due to safety and capacity concerns. If you’d like to see our first-year residence halls, we encourage you to explore GW's first-year residence halls. (Note that hall assignments are subject to change from year to year; this year's first-year residence halls may not be designated for first-years next year.)
Where can I park on-campus?: While we do not offer free parking for guests, there is a paid GW deck available for visitors below the Science and Engineering Hall. Since we are located in the heart of D.C., we recommend using public transit or alternative methods of transportation to reach GW.
How close is the airport or train & bus stations?: As the only D.C. school with our very own Metro stop on campus, travel is just a ride away. Located on the Silver, Blue, and Orange lines, the Metro can take you to Union Station for rail and bus travel (15 minutes) or to Reagan National Airport (DCA) to travel by air (20 minutes). View a map of the Metro Rail system.
When is the best time to visit campus?: The best time is the time that works for you, and luckily, GW is beautiful and vibrant at all times of the year! However, we do love our Cherry Blossoms, which typically bloom in March or April.