Keep Your Financial Information Organized

We recommend you keep a file of all financial aid information for future reference, including copies of applications, aid offers and other information.

What is Financial Aid?

Financial aid is monetary assistance intended to help you meet the expenses of going to college. "Aid" may be in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, employment, opportunities, or a combination of these. Virtually all colleges and universities assume that the primary financial responsibility for higher education rests with the student and his or her parents (where applicable). That is why "financial aid" doesn't cover all of your expenses. The Financial Aid Office at Gonzaga wants to assist you in "bridging the gap" between the cost of attendance and the ability you and your family have to meet those costs. Over 95% of all Gonzaga undergraduates receive institutional financial aid, and the University remains committed to supporting all students in this regard.

Types of Financial Aid

Scholarships & Grants
Scholarships and Grants consist of institutional, state, federal or outside sources of funding that do not need to be repaid. This can include a merit scholarship, GU Funding, Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Pell Grant, Washington State Need Grant, outside scholarships and others. Scholarships and grants are based on merit and/or financial need.

Work Study
Work study is an opportunity for employment for students with demonstrated financial need. In essence, it is the possibility for you to work up to 19 hours per week to earn money. Earnings can be used as spending money or to help pay tuition. For more information, please visit Student Employment.

Loans
Loans are repayable awards, designed to help cover college costs. Students who complete a FAFSA application are eligible for the Federal Stafford Loan and students with high financial need may also qualify for a Federal Perkins Loan. Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) and Private Loans are also available. For more information, please visit our Loans page.

Financial Aid at Gonzaga

Gonzaga strives to provide quality education to worthy students from all economic backgrounds. With the help of institutional merit- and need-based awards funded by generous donations from lifelong friends of Gonzaga, state grants and scholarships, federal grants and scholarships, and federal and state work study, thousands have been able to enjoy the Gonzaga experience of higher education. Our students are important to us, and we strive to balance each award to make that educational experience possible for many. View a graph of where the money goes.

Gonzaga's Institutional Grants & Scholarships

Merit Scholarships
Many students admitted to Gonzaga will receive scholarships on the basis of academic merit. These scholarships are awarded by the Office of Admission and are based on numerous factors, including high school grade point average, co-curricular activities and involvement, standardized test scores, and high school teacher/counselor recommendations. These scholarships are renewable as established by the Gonzaga Guarantee.

View the list of Gonzaga Scholarships that require a separate application.

Other Institutional Scholarships & Grants
During the upcoming school year Gonzaga University will award more than $31 million in scholarships and grants, called Gonzaga Grants. Through the generosity of many alumni, friends, and benefactors we award in excess of $3 million annually in endowed scholarships, many of which have particular criteria (for example, specific majors). Some scholarships and grants are awarded by particular departments and are contingent upon specific criteria. These institutional scholarships and grants are awarded both on the basis of financial need and academic promise. Most admitted students received some amount of their aid from institutional scholarships and/or grants.

Family Discount
Gonzaga University provides a Family Discount when there are multiple siblings simultaneously enrolled as full time, matriculated undergraduates. In such an instance, the younger of the siblings receives a 10% tuition discount. If there is a third sibling simultaneously enrolled, a 20% tuition discount is provided to the youngest and a 10% discount to the middle sibling. All siblings must be dependent undergrad students for financial aid purposes in order to qualify for the Family Discount.

Enrollment in the Bachelor of General Studies program is exempt from the discount.

Notification of the siblings' simultaneous enrollment needs to be provided by the family to the Financial Aid Office in order for us to determine eligibility and make this discount available.

Federal Grants

Pell Grant
The federal government provides Pell Grants to students who demonstrate the highest level of financial need as calculated by the federal formula for Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not yet earned a bachelor's or professional degree. For the 2011-2012 school year, Pell Grant awards range from $0-$5,550.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Students with the highest level of financial need may also be awarded an SEOG. The source of this funding is the federal government; the selection of recipients is determined the institution. Gonzaga University gives full-time Pell Grant recipients who meet our February 1 priority filing deadline with the highest priority for this award. SEOG does not have to be repaid.

TEACH Grant
This is a $4,000 annual grant/loan awarded to students who agree to teach for four years as a highly-qualified teacher in a high-need field at a low-income school after completing their degree. If the four year service requirement is not met, the funds must be repaid by the student as an unsubsidized Stafford loan.

Washington State Grants

Washington State Need Grant (WSNG)
To be eligible for the WSNG a student must demonstrate financial need; be a resident of the State of Washington and, if a dependent student, have parents who are Washington residents; be enrolled at least half time, be in an eligible undergraduate degree seeking program; and have a family income below specified criteria set each year by the state of Washington. Eligible individuals will be automatically awarded this grant as a part of the financial aid packaging process. Preference is given to on-time filers.

Outside Scholarships

Outside scholarship opportunities exist through many organizations within your community, and we encourage you to pursue them whenever possible. Contact your guidance counselor or check with service organizations such as Knights of Columbus, Rotary Club, and Elks Club. Other possible sponsors include employers, parents' employers, trade associations, banks, credit unions, corporations, schools, and churches.

Federal regulation requires us to incorporate all scholarship a student receives in their financial aid award. We realize that substantial efforts have been made to receive these awards; it is our policy not to reduce your award due to the receipt of these scholarships provided the total aid does not exceed the student's budget.