Financial Aid is awarded based on a standard 9-month academic year, not by calendar year. The academic year award cycle begins with fall, followed by spring, and ends with summer term. Please note that under Title IV federal student aid regulations, our summer term is considered a single term comprised of a combination of mini-sessions or modules. A module is defined as a course or courses in a payment period or semester that does not span the entire length of the term.
Students must apply for financial aid each academic year for which they wish to receive financial aid. It is the student's responsibility to reapply for funding as necessary by completing the Financial Aid Application, FAFSA, and any subsequent documents requested by the Financial Aid Office. Awarding normally occurs in the Spring, but students entering in a spring semester should apply in the fall by the published priority deadline. Financial aid applications for entering students are reviewed only after the Financial Aid Office has been notified by the Admissions Office that the applicant has been admitted to their program.
To submit documents to the GTU Financial Aid Office
Email encrypted PDF attachments to: finaid@gtu.edu
Note: If you elect to send documentation by email, please send PDF attachments in an encrypted email or password protect the attachments then send a separate email with the password(s). Unencrypted emails that include social security numbers will not be delivered as they will be blocked by the GTU’s firewall. Free encryption services include the following: Engimail, Mailvelope, Infoencrypt, Mymain Crypt for Gmail, and Gpg4Win.
Mail: 2400 Ridge Rd., Berkeley, CA 94709
Please remember to print and keep a copy of all documents for your records!
Domestic Students
Current and prospective MA students who wish to apply for financial assistance are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial aid applicants who wish to receive tuition assistance must complete the FAFSA even if they do not wish to accept an offer of federal student aid. Applicants must include both the GTU’s school code, G01207.
Prospective GTU MA and Ph.D. students must complete the steps outlined below.
- Submit the current year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the priority deadline. Your completed online FAFSA should be signed electronically with your FSA ID so that your financial need can be evaluated. Your IRS tax information may be imported with your consent using the Financial Aid Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX). Be sure to include the GTU federal school code, G01207, on the FAFSA.
- After submitting your FAFSA, you should receive a FAFSA Submission Summary. Carefully review the FAFSA Submission Summary and submit any corrections.
- If you are selected for Verification, the Financial Aid Office may request additional information before making an award. Participation in the verification process is not optional. Students who do not submit the required documentation within thirty (30) days of the request may experience financial aid processing delays.
- If you are a member of a religious, you must submit a letter from your superior regarding your financial circumstances. The letter should also indicate the level of support that the order will provide for your education in the upcoming academic year.
When your file is complete, your financial aid eligibility will be determined, and you will receive notification from the Financial Aid Office to review your financial aid package.
International Students
Prospective Ph.D. applicants and GTU MA must complete the steps outlined below for institutional financial aid consideration:
- Submit the current year GTU Financial Aid Application to the Financial Aid office by your priority deadline.
- Submit bank statements for the most current three-month period to the Financial Aid office by your priority deadline.
- If you are a member of a religious order, you must submit a letter from your superior regarding your financial situation. The letter should also include the level of support that the order will provide for your education in the upcoming academic year. When your file is complete, your financial aid eligibility will be determined, and you will receive notification from the GTU Financial Aid Office to review your financial aid package.