How to Enroll

To officially enroll in a graduate program at the George Washington University, there are certain steps you must take. While specifics may change depending on your program, these general steps are commonly required. If you have questions, please contact your school, college or program. Student Services Hub also has information for new graduate students.

Step 1: Review Your Offer of Admission

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When admitted, you should have received information on your status, including required prerequisites, conditions of admissions, academic advising information and school-specific orientation activities. If you have questions on any information in your offer, contact your school or program directly.

Step 2: Respond to the Offer of Admission

Before you register for courses, you must accept admission to your program and, if required, pay your admission deposit. All schools, except Columbian College of Arts and Sciences and the Graduate School of Education and Human development, require deposits of their incoming students. The amount of your deposit is indicated in your letter of admission. Learn how you can pay your deposit online.

Step 3: Finalize any Loans

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If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, there are various financial aid opportunities available, including:

Federal Direct Stafford loans
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loans
Private alternative loans

If you have questions about applying for financial aid, contact our Office of Student Financial Assistance.

Step 4: Claim your GW UserID and Email Account

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Your GW UserID will give you access to GW systems and services throughout your time as a GW student and beyond. Your GW email address will be the official means of the email communications you will receive from the university. Once you have officially accepted admission (including paying your deposit, if required), you will receive an email to your personal email account providing a link to claim your UserID and GW email account. Read more information on claiming your GW UserID and email account.

Step 5: Understand Your Program and Find Classes

The University Bulletin provides information on GW academic policies, course descriptions, degree requirements, fee information and financial regulations. You should familiarize yourself with all of this information to understand what is required of you as a GW graduate student. You can review the Schedule of Classes to plan for your upcoming semesters.

Step 6: Connect with Your Academic Advisor

Once you receive information from your program, contact the faculty member assigned to be your academic advisor. You can talk through requirements, course selection and any other questions about the program you may have.

Step 7: Register for Classes

You can register for classes through GWeb unless your program or dean’s office has given you other instructions for registration. If you have questions about the registration process, the Office of the Registrar has additional information and you can contact them at 202-994-4900 or [email protected]. Please review each course and the applicable credit hours carefully so you are prepared. Also note that if you register on or after the first week of classes you will be charged a late registration fee.

Step 8: Settle Your Student Account

Find your account in the Student Account eBill system through GWeb and use it to view your balance, make payments and arrange third-party notifications. After you’ve registered for courses, your account statement is available and you will receive a notification email. Your payments are due on the first day of each semester on the main campus, not the first day of your session or the first day of the semester for an off-campus course.

Step 9: Get Your GWorld Card

Your GWorld Card is your official identification card at GW–you’ll need it to access some university buildings and for some services, like checking out books at the library and requesting a transcript. You can also deposit Colonial Cash on your card and use it at select locations both on- and off-campus and for services such as printing. You can get yours at the GWorld Card Office after you’ve registered for at least one course. The earliest you can get your card is one month before the first day of class. You must bring a government-issued photo id and your GWID.

Step 10: Plan for Orientation Activities

Depending on your school and program, you may have orientation activities to welcome you to GW. If you haven’t received information on orientation, please contact your department. In the week before every fall semester, GW also hosts a Graduate Student Services Fair where you can talk with representatives from GW organizations and offices, and pick up materials and resources. If you started your program in the summer or spring, you can still attend this fair in the subsequent fall.

Step 11: Plan Your Housing

While on-campus housing for graduate students is limited, GW is easily accessible via public transportation so off-campus housing is an easy option when commuting to campus.