PA Cost of Attendance

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)