Federal Financial Aid
Domestic students wishing to be considered for Federal Financial Aid (work-study and student loans) should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the appropriate academic year. Students will need their most recent tax return, Federal Student Aid ID and WashU’s school code of 002520. Graduate students file as independents and no parent application is needed.
Once a student has confirmed their intent to enroll, the Brown School Office of Student Financial Services will provide a financial aid package, which will include loans and any federal work study. Your FAFSA results will NOT impact your already-granted Brown School Scholarship award.
Before borrowing a loan, students are encouraged to utilize a loan repayment calculator to estimate monthly repayments, which will go into effect after a six-month grace period.
Questions about financial aid? Contact the Brown School Office of Student Financial Services.
*Please Note: Student aid data from the 2024-25 FAFSA will be released to financial aid offices on a delayed timeline due to the new FAFSA Simplification Act. Aid packages will be processed and sent to students as soon as possible with this revised timeline in place.
Federal Student Loans
Loan Options Offered by the Brown School Office of Student for Graduate & Professional Programs (MSW, MPH, PART-TIME MSW, PhD, MSW ADVANCED STANDING, etc.)
| Loan Type | Federal Direct Unsubsidized | Federal Direct Graduate PLUS |
|---|---|---|
| Interest Rate | 7.05%**Fixed for life of the loan starting 7/1/23 | 8.05%** Fixed for life of the loan starting 7/1/23 |
| Loan Fee | 1.057% | 4.228% |
| Annual Maximum Amount | $20,500 | No Annual Limit Awards can reach the maximum cost of attendance (COA). |
| Repayment Information | Six-month payment-free grace period if less than 1/2-status or graduation occurs | Immediate repayment (within 30 days) when a student is less than 1/2-time status or graduation occurs. (Call your servicer for deferment options.) |
**In order to qualify for Federal loans, you must be enrolled in half time status or greater. For graduate programs half-time enrollment is 4.5 hours or greater during the Fall & Spring semesters and 3 hours or more for Summer.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
This loan is available to all graduate students as long as a valid FAFSA is on file with the university. The maximum award for each academic year is $20,500. The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan has a current interest rate of 7.05 percent that begins accruing when the loan is disbursed to the school. However, students are not required to begin paying on the principal or the interest until after they complete their program or drop below half-time status, with a six-month grace period.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
If a student needs financial assistance beyond the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, they may apply for the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, a credit-based loan which has a current interest rate of 8.05 percent. If a student is approved for the PLUS loan, they may borrow up to their annual Cost of Attendance (as calculated by the university) minus any other financial aid (scholarships, loans or work-study). The PLUS loan begins accruing interest when the loan is disbursed to the school. However, like the Unsubsidized loan, borrowers are not required to begin repayment until after they complete their program or drop below half-time status, with a six-month grace period.
Note: The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan and the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan have variable fixed interest rates. The interest rates for these loans may vary between academic years. However, once a student borrows a loan, the interest rate is fixed for the life of that loan.
Federal Work Study
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federal aid program through which you can work and earn money for your education. Students may be eligible for up to $3,000 in work-study aid per academic year.
To be eligible for Federal Work-Study, a student must meet the following requirements:
- Be eligible for U.S. federal student aid and submit a completed FAFSA for the applicable academic year.
- Have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of 2000 or less. Your SAI will appear on your Student Aid Report after you have completed the FAFSA.
- Enroll full-time for the upcoming academic year.
Many students acquire part-time employment at the Brown School through the FWS program. Students may be hired for clerical positions, information technology, facilities or library services, or as research assistants to faculty members. Students are responsible for securing a FWS position, and are encouraged to explore the many work opportunities offered at the Brown School Washington University’s Center for Career Engagement.