Financial Aid for Current Students

The Financial Aid Office at Gallaudet University strives to assist students and their families so that any qualifying student who desires to pursue a higher education degree can do so.

Each student’s situation is unique. To better identify your specific financial needs, all applicants are required to complete a few applications. In order to receive the best financial aid package possible, it is in your best interest to complete the paperwork by the priority deadline listed.

How to Apply for Aid

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using Gallaudet University’s school code 001443. It is important to list your correct name and Social Security number, and birthday. For a paper copy of the FAFSA, request one online or call 1-800-4-FEDAID.The FAFSA will provide a section to input tax information. If income taxes are filed, you may be prompted to transfer IRS data to the FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. However, if you are waiting to file taxes, do not wait to file the FAFSA. Use estimates and educated approximations and once taxes are filed, go back and amend the FAFSA. Failure to follow through with this revision could cause your FAFSA to be rejected. When completing the FAFSA, make sure you use information from the correct federal income tax return (1040).*If you are a dependent student applying for a loan, the FAFSA requires parental information and signatures. Failure to provide the correct data could result in your FAFSA being rejected, which will ultimately jeopardize your eligibility for aid.

Next Steps

The U. S. Department of Education selects a certain number of applicants for a review process called verification. If you have been selected, additional documents may be required to complete your financial aid package. Examples of documents include supplemental forms, copies of tax returns and/or other pertinent materials. When additional documents are required, the Financial Aid Office will contact you by email. You can also log into your BISON account to view a list of needed documents. Applicants selected for verification will receive an estimated financial award letter. Please note: Your financial aid package is not final until you submit the required documents to the Financial Aid Office. If you have more questions about this process, please contact us. Click here for more information on verification.

Apply for scholarships:

University Scholarships

Students are considered for most scholarships upon admission to Gallaudet. With the IFAA, students no longer have to apply for individual scholarships separately as it provides an all-in-one application. The Financial Aid Office encourages students to apply for admission early to receive equal consideration. You must complete a FAFSA to be reviewed for scholarships that are awarded to students with financial need.

Other sources may provide scholarships that you may be eligible for. The Financial Aid Office encourages you to explore and apply for any scholarships from any sources for which you are eligible. Some departments at Gallaudet administer their own scholarships and may require a separate application. For more information, contact the Financial Aid Office.

Private Scholarships

Conduct your search for private scholarships as early as possible. If you have received aid such as departmental awards or private scholarships from sources other than the Financial Aid Office, it is your responsibility to find out when to reapply for funds. Contact the source or organization making the award.

Correspondence

Correspondence from the Financial Aid Office and Student Financial Services is made directly with students. Students carry the major responsibility for providing the office with information and for communicating with their parents regarding required documents and outstanding balances. Parents should remind their child/student to forward them copies of all financial aid notifications and student account billing statements.

Students also have 24/7 access to their financial aid information in BISON. Students may opt to grant their parents, access to their financial aid information by activating the GU Parent Access feature in their BISON Self Service menu. Students may also grant their parent(s) access to their student account by adding them as an Authorized Payer in GallyPay. Instructions for adding an Authorized Payer can be found here.