What is the difference between need-based financial aid and merit-based financial aid? How is each awarded?
Merit-based financial aid is awarded upon notification of admission through the School of International Service and can be a combination of tuition remission, stipend, and/or research assistantship awards. It is a need-blind process and is awarded based on the same factors that influence the admissions process. Need-based aid is administered through the University’s central Office of Financial Aid (202-885-6103). At the graduate level, it generally takes the form of a federal low-interest loan package with a work-study option. All eligible and interested students should fill out the FAFSA form upon application to SIS to begin the need-based financial aid process; there is no need to wait until you have an admissions decision from SIS.
