Consumer Information
The consumer information page contains important resources for prospective and current GW students and to assist the GW community in finding important institutional information.
It is the goal of the GW SMHS Financial Aid Office to provide you with the information necessary to make good choices in financing your Physician Assistant or Physician Assistant/Master of Public Health education. Our office offers a number of programs to assist you in financing your education, including: institutional gift aid scholarships, participation in Federal Direct Loan programs, and assistance with obtaining private loans. GW SMHS Financial Aid will only certify loans to the total Cost of Attendance (COA) less any institutional aid, outside scholarships or other outside resources (e.g. AmeriCorps Segal Awards). Costs that may affect the COA are listed below the tables included in each listed cost of attendance below.
Financial aid budgets are intended as a guide to reflect a student's AVERAGE Cost of Attendance; they do not imply the availability of financial aid funds. Please note that tuition rates and total COA figures are subject to change at any time. Some figures do not represent actual costs, they only serve as a general framework for a student's personal budget. If students intend to borrow loans to fund the full cost of attendance each year, they may incur considerable debt that may have adverse credit consequences in the future. Therefore, students are strongly encouraged to be mindful of their spending and to try to live below the budget. If you spend more in one budget category, you may need to spend less in another.
- Summer 2026, Fall 2026, and Spring 2027 Cost of Attendance
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PA/MPH Year 1
PA Year 1 & PA/MPH Year 2*
PA Year 2 & PA/MPH Year 3
Start Date 05/18/2026 06/02/2026 05/18/2026 End Date 08/15/2026 08/08/2026 08/15/2026 Tuition 19,099 19,099 19,099 Fees 295 545 545 Books 550 550 550 Instruments - 700 - Computer Purchase 1,650 1,650 - Loan Origination Fees 388 726 726 Travel 250 250 250 Health Insurance 923 923 - Living Expenses 10,322 8,899 11,460 Total Cost of Attendance 33,666 33,342 32,630 *Second Year PA/MPH students do not have a summer budget for computer purchase or health insurance. Health insurance for Summer 2 is covered by premiums paid in Spring 2026.
Summer Living Expenses
Per Month
Per Week
PA/MPH Year 1
PA Year 1 & PA/MPH Year 2
PA Year 2 & PA/MPH Year 3
Rent & Utilities 1988 497 6,461 5467 6,461 Food 846 212 2,750 2332 2,750 Personal 300 75 975 825 975 Transportation 100 25 325 275 0 Clinical Transportation 392 98 - - 1,274 Summer Living Expense Total 10,511 8,899 11,460
1. The Tuition category is tuition only for full-time students. Students who are enrolled less than full-time (12 credit hours) in any semester should review the Tuition and Fee Schedule for the SMHS. The COA is subject to change based on less than full-time enrollment.
2. University Fees are assessed to all students registered on-campus. The Student Government Association Fee is $3.00/credit to a maximum of $45.00/semester for all students.
3. The cost of a required laptop is included in a student's first semester budget. The Physician Assistant Program requires students to have a laptop and provides required specifications for all laptop computers that will run necessary software here. Please be aware that this is a one-time allowance except for special circumstances in future years.
4. The Monthly Budget is the total living expenses divided by the number of weeks in the academic year; it is provided as a guide. Students are expected to manage resources within the total budget according to their discretion.
5. The Health Care Allowance is approximately $4,000. Health insurance has been split evenly between Fall and Spring semesters. However, the Spring health insurance charge will be greater than the Fall charge because it covers Spring and the trailing Summer. First year summer health insurance fees for both PA and PA/MPH programs is $923.
6. Loan Origination fees are based on average borrowing levels for federal Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS Loans for the 25-26 academic year.
PA/MPH Year 1
PA Year 1 & PA/MPH Year 2
PA Year 2 & PA/MPH Year 3
Start Date 8/24/2026 08/24/2026 08/17/2026 End Date 4/30/2027 4/30/2027 05/14/2027 Tuition 38198 38198 38198 Fees 90 90 90 Books 1100 1100 1100 Instruments - 850 0 Loan Origination Fees 1684 1684 1684 Travel Home 500 500 500 Health Insurance 4000 4000 4000 Living Expenses 25288 25288 29988 PANCE - - 550 Graduation Regalia - - 134 Total Cost of Attendance 70860 71710 76244 Cost of Living Fall & Spring 2026-2027
Per Month
Per Week
PA/MPH Year 1
PA Year 1 & PA/MPH Year 2
PA Year 2 & PA/MPH Year 3
Rent & Utilities 1988 497 15904 15904 16898 Food 848 212 6784 6784 7208 Personal 300 75 2400 2400 2550 Transportation Didactic 25 6.25 200 200 0 Transportation Clinical 392 98 - - 3332 Monthly Budget 25288 25288 29988
1. The Tuition category is tuition only for full-time students. Students who are enrolled less than full-time (12 credit hours) in any semester should review the Tuition and Fee Schedule for the SMHS. The COA is subject to change based on less than full-time enrollment.
2. University Fees are assessed to all students registered on-campus. The Student Government Association Fee is $3.00/credit to a maximum of $45.00/semester for all students.
3. The cost of a required laptop is included in a student's first semester budget. The Physician Assistant Program requires students to have a laptop and provides required specifications for all laptop computers that will run necessary software here. Please be aware that this is a one-time allowance except for special circumstances in future years.
4. The Monthly Budget is the total living expenses divided by the number of weeks in the academic year; it is provided as a guide. Students are expected to manage resources within the total budget according to their discretion.
5. The Health Care Allowance is approximately $4,000. Health insurance has been split evenly between Fall and Spring semesters. However, the Spring health insurance charge will be greater than the Fall charge because it covers Spring and the trailing Summer. First year summer health insurance fees for both PA and PA/MPH programs is $923.
6. Loan Origination fees are based on average borrowing levels for federal Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS Loans for the 25-26 academic year.
We are unable to increase the COA for any budget allowances not indicated below other than transportation to rotations and extenuating circumstances on a case-by-case basis. A Cost of Attendance Adjustment Form along with required documentation can be submitted via our secure submission link, here. Please include your GWID on documents.
Deadline for requests: April 15, 2026, unless otherwise noted.
Note: All requests for an increase to the COA must include the documentation mentioned for each category and a signed Cost of Attendance Adjustment Form, which may be found on the PA Program Forms page. All documentation and the Cost of Attendance Adjustment Form must be submitted four weeks prior to the end of any semester, unless otherwise noted. Requests made after the last day of exams will be processed in the first week of the following semester.
Dependent care costs: For the purpose of determining financial need for federal programs, Congress has mandated that only those costs associated with the student's education be considered. Within the methodology for determining need, Congress has included an income protection allowance for dependents which is subtracted from the student's income. This allowance thereby reduces the expected contribution from the student's household. This allowance is based on national averages. On a case-by-case basis, where the family's available income is less than the income protection allowance, an addition to the standard budget of a 'dependent care allowance' to reflect costs of food and shelter for dependents may be appropriate. Federal student loans are for student educational expenses only. For married students, the responsibility for childcare is split, and the student may only apply for an increase of 50% of reasonable costs. If the spouse is a stay-at-home parent, no increase will be made. Appeals may be made for a dependent spouse with challenges that do not allow them to care for their children. Documentation as to the actual cost will be required. Students should complete a loan increase form.
Disability Accommodation Expenses: For a student with a disability, an allowance for expenses related to the student’s disability. These expenses include special services, personal assistance, transportation, equipment, and supplies that are reasonably incurred and not provided by other agencies. A student is considered to have a disability if he or she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, such as if the student is deaf, has a mental disability, is hard of hearing, has a speech or language impairment, is visually disabled, is seriously emotionally disturbed, orthopedically impaired, autistic, has a traumatic brain injury, is otherwise health impaired, or has specific learning disabilities that require special education and related services. Students requesting disability accommodation adjustments to the cost of attendance need to request a letter from GW DSS outlining the specific accommodation items that need to be purchased. Letters need to be dated within 90 days of the request and within the academic semester of the request. The letter must be submitted with a cost of attendance adjustment form, letters from DSS and your physician and all documentation associated with the costs (i.e. receipts, explanation of benefit letters from your insurance provider, an itemized excel spread with each item purchased listed including: the date of purchase, item purchased and if the receipt is associated with another document being submitted.)
Other expenses: The SMHS Office of Financial Aid may consider other educationally related expenses on a case-by-case basis. If you have an expense that does not meet the guidelines stated above, please contact our office for consideration in person or email us at medfinan [at] gwu [dot] edu (medfinan[at]gwu[dot]edu)
- Estimated Total Cost of Attendance for 2-Year PA Program
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The figures provided for PA Year 2 are not final, and should be considered estimates. These figures are subject to changes at any time.
Summer 2026
Fall 2026
Spring 2027
Total for Year 1
Direct Costs Tuition 19,099 19,099 19,099 57,297 Fees 545 45 45 635 Indirect Costs Books 550 550 550 1,650 Instruments 700 425 425 1,550 Computer Purchase 1,650 - - 1,650 Loan Origination Fees 726 842 842 2,410 Travel 250 250 250 750 Health Insurance 923 2,000 2,000 4,923 Living Expenses 8,899 12,644 12,644 34,187 Total 33,342 35,855 35,855 105,052 Living Expenses Breakdown
Per Week
Per Month
Rent & Utilities 497 1,988 Food 212 848 Personal 75 300 Transportation 25 100 Living Expense Total 809 3,236 Summer 2027
Fall 2027
Spring 2028
Total for Year 2
Direct Costs Tuition 19,672 19,672 19,672 59,016 Fees 545 45 45 635 Indirect Costs Books 550 550 550 1,650 Loan Origination Fees 726 842 842 2,410 Travel 250 250 250 750 Health Insurance 951 2,060 2,060 5,071 PANCE Exam - - - 550 Graduation Regalia - - - 134 Living Expenses 10,968 14,642 14,642 40,216 Total 33,634 37,983 37,983 110,432 Living Expenses Breakdown
Per Week
Per Month
Rent & Utilities 512 2,048 Food 218 972 Personal 80 320 Clinical Transportation 104 416 Living Expense Total 914 3,656
- Estimated Total Cost of Attendance for 3-Year PA/MPH Program
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The figures provided for the PA/MPH Program Year 2 and Year 3 are not final, and should be considered estimates. These figures are subject to changes at any time.
Summer 2026
Fall 2026
Spring 2027
Total for Year 1
Direct Costs Tuition 19,099 19,099 19,099 57,297 Fees 295 45 45 385 Indirect Costs Books 550 550 550 1,650 Computer Purchase 1,650 - - 1,650 Loan Origination Fees 388 842 842 2,072 Travel 250 250 250 750 Health Insurance 923 2,000 2,000 4,923 Living Expenses 10,511 12,644 12,644 35,799 Total 33,666 35,430 35,430 104,526 Living Expenses Breakdown
Per Week
Per Month
Rent & Utilities 497 1,988 Food 212 848 Personal 75 300 Transportation 25 100 Living Expense Total 809 3,236 Summer 2027
Fall 2027
Spring 2028
Total for Year 2
Direct Costs Tuition 19,672 19,672 19,672 59,016 Fees 545 45 45 635 Indirect Costs Books 550 550 550 1,650 Instruments 700 425 425 1,550 Loan Origination Fees 726 842 842 2,410 Travel 250 250 250 750 Health Insurance 951 2,060 2,060 5,071 Living Expenses 10,032 13,376 13,376 36,784 Total 33,426 37,220 37,220 107,866 Living Expenses Breakdown
Per Week
Per Month
Rent & Utilities 512 2,048 Food 218 872 Personal 80 320 Transportation 26 104 Living Expense Total 836 3,344 Summer 2028
Fall 2028
Spring 2029
Total for Year 3
Direct Costs Tuition 20,262 20,262 20,262 60,786 Fees 545 45 45 635 Indirect Costs Books 550 550 550 1,650 Loan Origination Fees 726 842 842 2,410 Travel 250 250 250 750 Health Insurance 980 2,122 2,122 5,224 PANCE - - - 550 Graduation Regalia - - - 134 Living Expenses 11,256 15,008 15,008 41,272 Total 34,569 39,079 39,079 113,411 Living Expenses Breakdown
Per Week
Per Month
Rent & Utilities 527 2,108 Food 225 900 Personal 82 328 Clinical Transportation 104 416 Living Expense Total 938 3,752
