Georgetown University's Commitment to Federal Workers: Tuition Assistance and Career Support
Georgetown University, deeply rooted in the Washington, D.C., community, demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting federal workers, especially those facing career transitions. Recognizing the potential disruption and uncertainty caused by shifts in the federal workforce, Georgetown has launched several initiatives to aid displaced federal employees and recent graduates. These initiatives encompass tuition assistance, career development resources, and educational opportunities designed to empower individuals to deepen their expertise, expand their networks, and successfully navigate career transitions.
Tuition Assistance Programs
Georgetown University offers several tuition assistance programs specifically designed for federal employees and recent graduates:
School of Continuing Studies (SCS) Federal Workforce Transition Scholarship: A 10% scholarship on the base tuition for many master's programs is available for the 2025-2026 academic year. This scholarship applies to former federal workers applying for the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters.
SCS Professional Certificate Discount: A 30% tuition discount on select professional certificates is available for eligible former federal employees. Participants can enroll in up to two online professional certificates from a curated selection of programs that align with in-demand industries. These include AI Governance & Compliance, Cybersecurity Strategy, Data Science, Finance for Non-Financial Managers, Project Management, and the Master Practitioner series in Leadership and Negotiation.
University-Wide 10% Scholarship: Georgetown offers a 10% scholarship on the base tuition to current or recently separated federal civil government employees pursuing a master’s degree. This discount is applicable to current and former federal professionals applying to the Summer and Fall 2025 terms. Application must include proof of federal civil service employment or affected status. Some restrictions may apply.
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Application Fee Waiver: The university is waiving the application fee for those applying to start a master’s degree in Fall 2025 for nearly all master’s programs at Georgetown. (All master’s degree programs are eligible for the application fee waiver except the MBA and Executive MBA programs.)
Flexibility with Application Deadlines: Georgetown is providing flexibility for interested applicants who cannot meet published application deadlines. For those interested in exploring master’s degree options without committing to a degree program, Georgetown offers a visiting non-degree student program.
Georgetown Law LL.M. Tuition Reduction: Georgetown Law is offering a substantially reduced LL.M. tuition rate of 30% to lawyers with a J.D. accredited law school who are currently or recently separated federal civil government employees applying to start their LL.M.
McDonough School of Business Scholarships: Current or recently separated federal civil employees to the MBA program in its traditional, Flex and Flex Online formats may be eligible for a 10% merit-based scholarship on base tuition for Fall 2026. These populations, and current or recently separated federal civil contractors, are also eligible for an application fee waiver that will automatically apply at the final submission to qualified applicants. Federal workers are also eligible to receive a merit-based tuition scholarship of up to 10% on the following programs: Executive MBA (EMBA), Master of Arts in International Business and Policy (MA-IBP), Master of Science in Environment and Sustainability Management (MS-ESM), Master of Science in Global Real Assets (MS-GRA), Master of Science in Management (MiM) and Master of Science in Business Analytics, Online and Full-Time modalities (MSBA).
School of Health Scholarship: Georgetown University School of Health offers a 10% scholarship on the base tuition to current or recently separated federal civil government employees. This scholarship is applicable to federal workers and affiliates applying for the Academic Year 2026-2027, especially those looking to shift their path from federal worker to a health-related career.
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Career Development Resources
Beyond tuition assistance, Georgetown University provides extensive career development resources to support federal workers in their transitions. These resources include:
Georgetown Pathways: Empowering Career Transitions: This initiative, offered through the School of Continuing Studies (SCS), aims to support federal employees transitioning out of government service due to workforce reductions.
Career Guidance: Lisa Andrews, director of integrated career development at Georgetown SCS, offers career guidance to help individuals identify the best educational pathways for their professional goals.
Next Chapter: Navigating Job Transitions & Federal-to-Civilian Career Moves: This session equips individuals with the tools and confidence to navigate change successfully, whether facing job loss, considering a career shift, or transitioning from federal service to the private sector. Presented by Lisa Andrews, PhD.
Career Pivot: Staying Resilient and Navigating the Job Search after a Layoff: This session helps individuals identify transferable skills, leverage their existing network, break into new professional spheres, identify goals, and create a plan. Presented by Annie Rao, Director, Graduate Career Center, Georgetown University.
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From Federal to Private: Tips and Tools to Transition your Resume: This session provides practical advice and tools to help federal employees transition their resumes for private-sector opportunities. Presented by Annie Rao, Director, Graduate Career Center, Georgetown University.
Navigating Career Transitions: A Transformational Journey: A 2-Day Career Transition Experience for Federal Employees.
Educational Opportunities
Georgetown University offers a wide array of educational opportunities to help federal workers deepen their expertise and expand their skill sets:
Master's Programs: Georgetown offers a diverse range of master's programs across various fields, providing opportunities for former federal workers to deepen their expertise and gain advanced knowledge.
Professional Certificates: Through Georgetown Pathways, the School of Continuing Studies offers short-term professional certificates across several fields, providing a focused and efficient way to upskill or pivot careers. These certificates cover in-demand areas such as AI Governance & Compliance, Cybersecurity Strategy, Data Science, Finance for Non-Financial Managers, Project Management, and the new Master Practitioner series in Leadership and Negotiation.
Visiting Non-Degree Student Program: For those interested in exploring master's degree options without committing to a full program, Georgetown offers a visiting non-degree student program.
Partner Institutions and Collaborative Efforts
Georgetown University is part of a consortium working to address the shifts in the federal workforce sector. This collaboration extends to other institutions, including:
George Mason University: Offers fee waivers for graduate school applications and reconsideration to ensure aid packages are maximized for dependents. Provides access to Mason Enterprise for support in establishing small or home-based businesses, and the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being for complimentary online tools to enhance health.
George Washington University: Offers a 20% tuition discount for current and prospective students impacted by federal workforce reductions in 2025 through the GW College of Professional Studies (CPS).
American University: Facilitates workshops like "Trailblazing After the Avalanche: Career Strategy for Tumultuous Times."
Virginia Tech - Innovation Campus: Offers a range of programs, including K-12 STEM initiatives, a Bridge Program in Computer Science, AI & Machine Learning Bootcamp, and various master's degrees in business, engineering, and computer science.
How to Access These Resources
Federal employees and recent graduates interested in accessing these resources should take the following steps:
Contact the Program of Interest: Reach out to the admissions representative within your specific program of interest for the most accurate and timely response regarding eligibility questions.
Provide Proof of Federal Service: When applying, include proof of federal civil service employment or affected status to be considered for tuition assistance and fee waivers.
Meet Application Deadlines: Be aware of application deadlines, although Georgetown is providing flexibility for those who need it. The application must be completed (meaning all necessary documents have been received by the Admissions Office) by July 1, 2026 at the latest to be considered for a Fall 2026 start.
Explore the Georgetown SCS Website: Visit the Georgetown School of Continuing Studies website for detailed information on available programs, certificates, and scholarship opportunities.
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