Admissions

Financing Your D.C. Experience

Students and staff take a trolley tour to see the sights.

The experience, knowledge, and contacts you will gain through the Institute on Political Journalism will be valuable assets, and can increase your earning potential in the job market.

An Unmatched Value
No other Washington program offers so much value for the cost. If priced separately, the academic credits, housing, and program activities would be significantly higher. But TFAS is able to offer this comprehensive program at a great value, thanks to the generosity of its donors.

Costs for IPJ 2012
9-Credit Option: Includes Georgetown University tuition and housing as well as activities fee (8 weeks): $8,495

6-Credit Option: Includes Georgetown University tuition and housing as well as activities fee (8 weeks): $6,995

A deposit of $750 is due three weeks after acceptance. The remainder of the tuition balance is due April 1.

Estimate of living costs (actual costs will vary and are not included in the program costs):
Books and supplies: $200
Food: $700 (depending on personal preferences)
Personal expenses: $350 (Travel to internships, entertainment, etc.)
Transportation to Washington: Based on distance from Washington and type of travel

Generous Scholarships
At first glance, the cost of the Institute may seem more than you or your family can afford. However, The Fund for American Studies makes every effort to make the Institute accessible and affordable to outstanding students, regardless of the financial status of their families. Our policy is to offer as much scholarship assistance as possible.

Generous supporters make it possible for us to offer more than a $1,000,000 in scholarships annually. Each year, we offer scholarships to more than half of our students who participate. Typically, scholarships range from $500 to $3,500, with an average scholarship award of $2,000. The amount awarded is based on a combination of financial need, academic merit and leadership ability.

Alternative Funding Opportunities
While TFAS provides generous scholarship funding, students will be responsible for financing their remaining tuition balance. We encourage students to begin thinking about funding sources early in the application process. It is important to begin taking these first steps early in the application process as seeking additional funding opportunities can take some time.

Applicants are encouraged to take the following steps during the application process:

• Talk with parents, guardians and other family members about their ability to contribute to your participation in the program.
• Research scholarship opportunities on your campus and in your community, including the honors college, academic departments or other office that offers scholarships for enrichment programs. Community organizations such as the Rotary Club and churches often assist students in financing their TFAS experience.
• Meet with the financial aid office at your home university to discuss the possibility of transferring any federal aid to summer study at Georgetown. Aid may be transferred through a consortium agreement. A consortium agreement is a form which allows one academic institution to verify the credit hours and costs of another academic program before a transfer of funds can occur.
• Research private educational loans.

TFAS admissions counselors will also serve as financial counselor to students researching additional funding opportunities. Questions regarding consortium agreements, transferring aid and applying for education loans may be directed to these staff members. Questions may be sent to admissions@tfas.org.

Tuition Payment
The full tuition payment less the $750 non-refundable deposit is due by April 1. If money is to be disbursed from a third party, including the home university or lending institution, after this date, documentation must be submitted to TFAS no later than April 1. This documentation must include date of disbursement, amount of disbursement and to whom the funding will be sent.

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the money is sent to The Fund for American Studies at the designated time. At the scheduled time of disbursement, students must verify that payment was received by The Fund for American Studies.