Understand your Award Letter

Award Restrictions

If you receive an award from GW or from another entity it's important that you review your award letter to ensure you follow the award's requirements. If you have questions about the award, please contact your awarding department directly. Contact information will be in the award letter.

Your award letter will inform you of the requirements and restrictions of the award. Some common language utilized in award letters:

Stackable versus Non-Stackable

Stackable tuition fellowships can be combined with other tuition fellowships, as long as the combined total does not exceed the cost of tuition. Non-stackable tuition fellowships cannot be combined with other tuition fellowships. If you receive a non-stackable award with a stackable award, you will need to decline one of the awards. 

It is important to note that an outside award that is a tuition fellowship must be reported to your department if you have also received a GW departmental award.

Renewable versus Non-Renewable

Some awards at the graduate level can be held for more than one year, while others are only for one semester or one academic year. If your award is only for one semester or one year (non-renewable) you may still be able to apply or be considered for the award. Details will be in your award letter or you may contact your awarding department for more information.

Pay Schedule

STIPENDS: If your award package includes a stipend, your stipend will be paid on the first business day of each month.

SALARIES: If your award package includes a salary, your salary will be paid on the last business day of each month.

Health Insurance Subsidy

GW Doctoral Fellows, Graduate Assistants (GAs) and Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) who have enrolled in the GW Student Health Plan and are fully funded (GWSPH and SMHS excluded), will be eligible for a payment towards the cost of the plan.