Graduate Aid

Please be advised that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has resulted in significant updates to federal student loan programs.  This includes changes in the annual and lifetime borrowing limits for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan for graduate and professional students.  These changes are for NEW borrowers effective July 1, 2026.  Graduate and/or professional students who have borrowed the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan in their current program of student prior to July 1, 2026 will qualify for the Legacy Provision.  More information can be found on the Federal Loan Updates for 2026-2027 webpage.   

Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan funding may available for graduate/professional students. To be eligible to borrow the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, the student must have a FAFSA on file for the award year, be enrolled in at least half-time credits/term, be admitted as a matriculated student, be under their loan aggregate limits, and maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress. 

• Current Interest Rate: 7.94% fixed (for loans disbursed after July 1, 2025).
• Net Fee Per Disbursement: 1.057% (for loans disbursed prior to October 1, 2026) of the total amount is assessed in loan fees and retained by the lending institution.
• Repayment: Loan repayment begins six months after the student graduates or ceases to be enrolled at least half-time.  
• Aggregate Limit: Current aggregate limits for the direct loan program are $138,500, however, aggregate limits will be changing effective July 1, 2026 for New borrowers.   More information can be found on the Federal Loan Updates for 2026-2027 webpage. 

 

We encourage all graduate and professional students to review your borrowing plans early and consult with the Financial Aid Office to understand how these changes may affect your financial strategy.

Please be advised that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has resulted in significant updates to federal student loan programs. The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan program will be discontinued for NEW borrowers effective July 1, 2026.  Students who have borrowed a Federal Direct Loan in their current program of study prior to July 1, 2026 will qualify for the Legacy Provision.  More information can be found on the Federal Loan Updates for 2026-2027 webpage.   

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan funding may be an option for students who qualify for the legacy provision.  To be eligible for the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan, the student must have a FAFSA on file and a Graduate PLUS Loan Application submitted for the award year.  If approved, the student can borrow up to their cost of attendance for the award year minus all forms of financial aid assistance.  In order for a student to borrow the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan, the student must be enrolled in at least half-time credits, be admitted as a matriculated student and maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress.

• Current Interest Rate: 8.94% fixed (for loans disbursed after July 1, 2025).
• Net Fee Disbursement: 4.228% (for loans disbursed prior to October 1, 2026) of the total amount is assessed in loan fees retained by the lender.
• Repayment: Begins 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed each year; automatic deferment may be available while enrolled at least half time.
• For additional information regarding borrower and loan requirements, please see the Federal Parent and Graduate PLUS webpage. 

We encourage all graduate and professional students to review your borrowing plans early and consult with the Financial Aid Office to understand how these changes may affect your financial strategy.

A variety of private lenders offer alternative loans funded through non-government sources. Please review the Private Alternative Loan webpage for information on private lenders that have helped Gonzaga students in the last three years.  There is a tool called ElmSelect that can assist with comparing various private lenders affiliated with Gonzaga University.  Please contact the Financial Aid Office for questions regarding private loans. 

Some programs at Gonzaga University offer institutional scholarships to incoming graduate or doctoral students. Please reach out to the admission specialist of your respective program for more information.

Outside Scholarships may be offered by employers, trade associations, banks, credit unions, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations. Awarding is handled external to Gonzaga. Therefore, please contact the source of the scholarship directly to inquire about eligibility and application materials.

 

The Washington State Educator Workforce Program (EWP) aims to attract and retain teachers to work in subjects or locations of high need known as shortage areas.  For more information regarding eligibility and application materials, please the Washington State Educator Workforce Program (EWP) webpage.  

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grant funds to students enrolled in an eligible program of study. Recipients of the TEACH Grant must teach full-time for at least four years in a high-need field at a low income school or educational service agency. Before receiving a TEACH Grant each award year, the student must complete:

1. TEACH Grant Initial (and subsequent) counseling
2. Agreement to Serve or Repay (Agreement)

Once these requirements are completed, Gonzaga will have the student meet with an advisor in the School of Education.  If you have questions about what courses must be taken prior to receiving a TEACH Grant, please contact the School of Education.  You can also contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.

Boeing: 10% tuition discount (proof of employment is required for the discount).

• Discount eligibility is limited to enrollment in the following programs:
  • Masters of Business Administration
  • Masters of Accountancy
  • Masters in Organizational Leadership
  • Masters in Communication and Leadership Studies.

Bank of America: 10% tuition discount (proof of employment is required for the discount).

• Discount eligibility is limited to enrollment in the following programs:
  • Masters of Business Administration
  • Masters of Accountancy
  • MS Taxation
  • Masters in Organizational Leadership
  • Masters in Communication and Leadership Studies
  • PhD in Leadership Studies

Federal Employees: 10% tuition discount (proof of employment is required for discount).

• Discount eligibility is limited to enrollment in the following programs:
  • Masters in Organizational Leadership
  • Masters in Communication and Leadership Studies

As a demonstration of our appreciation and respect for military service, we offer a 10% tuition discount to all active service members, active service members' spouses and veterans.  Discount eligibility is limited to enrollment in the following programs:

• Masters in Organizational Leadership
• Masters in Communication and Leadership Studies  

To be eligible for the discount, active duty service members must provide a recent LES statement, proof of orders, or letter from a commanding officer.  Veterans will need to provide a DD214 that indicates an honorable discharge.

Gonzaga University in partnership with the Catholic Diocese of Spokane offers a tuition reduction to qualified full-time teacher, principals, and Pastoral/Diocesan ministers working in schools or parishes under the auspices of the Catholic Diocese of Spokane. In order to apply, please complete the electronic form below.

Many organizations offer tuition reimbursement programs.  Please check with your benefits department for details.

AmeriCorps is a federal agency that provides opportunities for Americans to serve their communities in exchange for benefits such as an education award to assist with paying for college or paying back student loans.  For more information, please see the AmeriCorps web page.

Graduate Assistantships can be a financial resource to aid in pursuing your degree while offering the following opportunities:

• Work closely with faculty members.
• Gain further expertise in your field of study, enhancing research skills while developing pedagogical skills.
• Acquire experience in leadership, interpersonal effectiveness and performance evaluation.

If interested, graduate students are encouraged to reach out to their specific school of study in which they are enrolled for more information on available assistantships.

If a graduate student is interested in determining state or federal work study eligibility, the are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Employment.

Gonzaga University uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility.  Review the Department of Education's step-by-step guide with tips for a smooth application process at Filling Out the FAFSA Form - Federal Student Aid.  To be eligible for Federal (Title IV) financial aid, students must also first apply and be accepted into Gonzaga University in an eligible degree or certificate program and meet basic eligibility criteria as listed on the Federal Student Aid webpage.  Students who are not eligible to submit the FAFSA, will not be eligible for Federal (Title IV) financial aid.  

Graduate students who are not eligible to submit the FAFSA, may be eligible to apply for scholarships opportunities through Washington State or Work Opportunities.  Some of these may require the student has filed a Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA).