Student Newsletter - September 2024
Welcome to the CCAS Graduate Student Newsletter! Designed to keep you up to date with news and events, policies and processes, and all things for CCAS graduate students!
Graduate Student Newsletter Archive
September 2024
The Student Services Team is here to advise, guide, and provide you with resources to aid in your success, as well as help you navigate university policies and procedures. Our office is located in Smith 118, and we are open during normal business hours on Monday – Friday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. You can schedule a virtual, phone, or in-person appointment with your Student Services Coordinator and our Career Counselors.
In our September newsletter, we will cover the following topics:
- Important Reminders and Resources:
- Fall ETD Deadlines
- Career Services & Upcoming Career-Related Events
- GW Student Wellbeing
- Gelman Library Graduate Student Study Spaces
- Upcoming Events
- Funding, Fellowships, Internships, & Employment Opportunities
Welcome Back!
We hope that you all had a wonderful summer, and we are so glad to see you back on campus! Thank you to everyone who attended our Welcome Week events - we hope you will continue to attend our events throughout the semester. We will announce any upcoming Student Services events in this newsletter, as well as on the Current Graduate Student Events page of our website.
Important Reminders and Resources
All CCAS graduate students are required to register continuously each fall and spring semester until the completion of their program. If you have questions about your program’s requirements or which courses you should take to meet those requirements, please reach out to your academic advisor. More information on registration can be found on the CCAS Registration page.
Key Registration Dates this Month
Please review the Registrar’s Office’s Fall/Spring Schedule for a full breakdown of key dates.
| September 8 | Last day to add a course on GWeb |
|---|---|
| September 20 | Last day to add a course using the RTF-EZ or drop a course using the RTF-EZ without academic penalty |
| September 22 | Last day to drop a course on GWeb |
If you need to add a course after September 8, you will need to obtain permission from the course instructor or your department and submit an RTF-EZ to the Registrar’s Office. To add a course after September 20, you will need to obtain permission from the course instructor or your department and submit an RTF Classic to our office at [email protected]. If you think you may need to drop a course, please try to do so by the end of the fourth week of classes. After September 22, any courses removed through GWeb would be counted as “withdrawn” and will remain on your transcript with a grade of W.
Tuition Refund Policy
In addition to key registration dates with academic impacts, you should also keep in mind the Tuition Refund Policy, which governs the proportion of your tuition that may be refunded based on when in the semester a course is dropped. Courses dropped within the first two weeks of classes will be eligible for a 100% tuition refund. If you drop courses after the second week of classes, please be aware that you will only be refunded a portion of the tuition you paid for those credits. More information on the Tuition Refund Policy can be found on the Student Accounts Office website.
Student Accounts Late Fee Policy
Tuition, health insurance charges, and other fees are due by the first day of the semester, or upon registration if the semester has already begun. This means that changes to your registration once the semester has started may impact your Student Account.
Even if you paid your balance in full prior to the start of the semester, it is important to check your Student Account eBill in GWeb any time your registration changes. For example, if you choose to take an additional course or increase the number of credits you take for a course, you will automatically be charged additional fees and have an outstanding Student Account balance. Additionally, if you drop one course and pick up another course after the 100% tuition refund period has ended, you may have an outstanding Student Account balance even if the courses both have the same number of credits.
Any outstanding balance on your Student Account after the start of the semester may be subject to a late payment fee. The Student Accounts Office charges late fees for each semester in two rounds: a flat, $75 fee earlier in the semester, and a 5% fee based on the total amount owed later in the semester. In fall, the $75 late fee is charged in November, and the 5% fee is charged in December.
More information on the late fee policy, as well as the full fee schedule, can be found in the Late Payments section of the Student Accounts Office website. Information on course exchanges can be found in the Adding & Dropping Courses section of the Student Accounts Office website.
Academic Policy Resources
Please familiarize yourself with all CCAS and University policies. Students are responsible for adhering to all policies and procedures relevant to the pursuit of their graduate degree, including those published in the University Bulletin, the CCAS Bulletin, and in the CCAS Graduate Student Handbook.
Notice for New Students Admitted in Fall 2024
If you started your program of study in the Fall 2024 semester, please make sure that you have turned in all official documents and transcripts required as part of the admissions process. If you have not submitted your transcripts, you will notice a hold on your account and will be unable to register for Spring 2025 courses. If you have a transcript hold, please reach out to our Admissions team at [email protected]. They will work with you to ensure you have turned in all required documents. More information on holds can be found on the Registrar’s Office website.
Fall ETD Deadlines
As we begin the Fall semester, please continue to be mindful of ETD clearance deadlines for both Ph.D. students and for Master’s students completing a thesis.
Ph.D. students should visit our Ph.D. Clearance Deadlines page, and Master’s students completing a thesis should review our Master’s Thesis ETD Submission page.
Career Services & Upcoming Career-Related Events
CCAS graduate students have access to dedicated career coaches to help with resumes, cover letters, networking, interviewing, and many other areas. (Note: The Trachtenberg School and Data Science program have their own dedicated career counselors.) Erin Ahart and Dr. Ruffner-Ceaser are available to meet one-on-one, with options to meet in person or online. Schedule an appointment in Handshake today! More information about CCAS Graduate Career Services can be found on our Career Services website and via email at [email protected].
Career Readiness Orientation
Wednesday, September 4 from 5:00 - 6:00 pm | Virtual (Zoom) | Registration
Thursday, September 5 from 12:00 - 1:00 pm | Virtual (Zoom) | Registration
Our Career Readiness Workshop series kicks off this semester with a Career Readiness Orientation. During this workshop, you will receive guidance on how to prepare for your career throughout your academic program and learn how CCAS Career Services can support you with its various services. Please register in advance to attend.
Revolutionary Resume: Back to Basics
Thursday, September 19 from 1:00 - 2:00 pm | Virtual (Zoom) | Registration
Looking to rebuild your resume or start from scratch? Want to make sure you haven’t missed any formatting or content essentials? No matter your experience level, Revolutionary Resume: Back to Basics will ensure your resume meets the criteria necessary to submit to employers.
Revolutionary Resume: Next Level
Wednesday, September 25 from 5:00 - 6:00 pm | Virtual (Zoom) | Registration
Join us for Revolutionary Resume: Next Level. This transformative session will empower you to create a resume that not only opens doors, but leaves a lasting impression on prospective employers.
During this session you will unlock the secrets to crafting an irresistible resume, receive the secret sauce to capturing the attention of hiring managers, and learn to narrate your professional story in a way that not only excites hiring managers, but also showcases your unique strengths and accomplishments.
GW Student Wellbeing
GW offers numerous resources to support student health and wellbeing, including Disability Support Services (DSS), medical and counseling services, as well as student health insurance.
Disability Support Services
GW is committed to providing equal access for all students. That access is often facilitated through the implementation of formal disability accommodations. Please register with DSS to ensure that your accommodations are appropriately and efficiently communicated to the faculty and other necessary parties. More information can be found on the Disability Support Services website.
Please note that the DSS administrative offices have moved to 2300 H Street, Suite 300. The testing center will remain in Rome Hall, Suite 102.
The Student Health Center
Students who are enrolled for at least 1 credit hour, as well as students on approved Leaves of Absence or Continuous Enrollment, are eligible to receive services from the Student Health Center. The Student Health Center offers a wide array of services, including medical services and primary care, psychological services and counseling, and psychiatric services. For more information on the Student Health Center, including hours and a full range of services offered, please visit the Student Health Center website.
Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)
CAPS serves GW students and engages the entire GW community, working to build a culture of support and connection with student well-being. They support mental health and personal development by collaborating directly with students to overcome challenges and difficulties that may interfere with academic, emotional, and personal success. In addition to traditional counseling, CAPS also offers walk-in hours for which no appointment is needed, as well as workshops and group sessions. More information on services available can be found on the CAPS website.
TimelyCare
To help our students access medical and/or counseling services at times and from places that may be more convenient to them – during the day, at night or the weekend – GW has partnered with TimelyCare, a leading virtual telehealth provider to provide telehealth services at no cost to GW students. For more information, please visit the GW TimelyCare web page.
CARE Referrals
At GW, we aim to create a community that cares for each other. The CARE Team fosters this goal by creating a pathway through which students who may need additional support can be identified and referred to the most appropriate services. If you are worried about one of your peers and think they may need some extra support, please consider submitting a CARE referral. You can submit this form anonymously, and a member of the CARE team will reach out to the listed student to see what sort of support they need and help provide them with the resources to help. More information and a link to the CARE referral form can be found on the CARE Team website.
Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
Health insurance guarantees that you can obtain necessary treatment if you develop a serious illness or injury. It also guarantees that you can obtain preventative medical services like immunizations and physical exams. The George Washington University (GW) offers a comprehensive Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) through Aetna Student Health.
Most CCAS graduate students will be automatically enrolled in SHIP. Information on which students will be automatically enrolled can be found on the SHIP website. If you have been automatically enrolled in SHIP but have an existing insurance plan which meets the waiver criteria, and wish to waive coverage under SHIP, you will need to submit the SHIP waiver form by September 12, 2024. Additional information including the SHIP waiver form can be found on the University Health Plans website.
Gelman Library Graduate Student Study Spaces
The Graduate Student Study Room is a quiet study space on the fifth floor of Gelman Library, accessible via a tap of your GWorld card. Lockers are also available for rent in this space. A locker that you rent is yours for the entire semester; the cost is $20/semester. More information on renting lockers can be found on the Libraries website.
The Global Resources Center on Gelman's seventh floor is a specialized library service point tailored to the needs of GW’s globally-focused academic programs. Outside of staffed hours, this space is open exclusively to graduate students and is accessible using your GWorld card. Learn more about available study spaces on the Gelman Learning Spaces page.
Upcoming Events
Dean's Election Conversation Series: Immigration and Migration
During the runup to the presidential election in November, CCAS is hosting a series of three roundtable discussions focused on issues critical to the election. The first conversation will be held on Tuesday, September 24, and will be centered around immigration. Please join us! Click here for more information.
Funding, Fellowships, Internships, & Employment Opportunities
Exciting Job Opportunity: We're Hiring Graduate Student Ambassadors
GW Columbian College of Arts and Sciences is hiring two Student Ambassadors within the Office of Graduate Studies. This position offers $18 per hour for 10-20 hours per week, with flexible hours and the option to work from home. Responsibilities include outreach to prospective students, data entry, assisting with events, and providing valuable peer insights. Ideal candidates are CCAS graduate students in good academic standing with excellent communication skills. Applications are open until September 19. For more details and to apply, visit the job posting here. Don’t miss this chance to contribute and gain experience!
The Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program
Application Deadline: September 9, 2024 at 11:59 pm ET
The application for the 2025 Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program is now open! A typical candidate is in the final years of their Ph.D. program or has defended their thesis within the past five years, and is excited to spend time in D.C., learn about science policy, and network with science and technology policy experts. This year's Fellowship will run from March 3 - May 23, 2025. International students already based in the United States, individuals with under-represented backgrounds, and/or those with demonstrated interest in taking science, engineering, and medicine beyond the lab are encouraged to apply. More information and the application can be found on the Mirzayan Fellowship website.
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
Upcoming Information Session - Register Here
Thursday, September 12th from 11:00-1:45pm
Science and Engineering Hall, Room B1220
The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the quality, vitality, and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing full-time research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or in STEM education. The GRFP provides three years of support over a five-year fellowship period for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for significant research achievements in STEM or STEM education. NSF actively encourages submission of applications from the full spectrum of diverse talent in STEM.
Various Application Deadlines: between October 11-18, 2024
The Inter-American Foundation Research Fellowship Program
Application Deadline: December 3, 2024
The Inter-American Foundation (IAF), in conjunction with the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), welcomes applicants for its new Research Fellowship Program to advance rigorous field-based research on actionable questions about community-led development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The IAF will award up to ten Fellowships in 2025. Each of the ten fellowships includes a stipend of $20,000 to support an individual researcher working over the course of twelve months in one or more of the countries in the region where the IAF works (see IAF.gov/Where we work), participation in a three-day in-person orientation workshop, and engagement with the network of IAF Fellows.
Applicants must be a citizen of one of the countries in which the IAF works or the United States and must have at least a Bachelor’s Degree.
Updated September 3, 2024.