Financial Aid and Expenses
There are several sources of financial assistance available to Learning, Design, and Technology students. These include merit-based scholarships and fellowships and US federal need-based aid. You can learn more about these resources below. To view a breakdown of expenses for students, please visit the Office of Student Financial Services website.
Merit-Based Financial Assistance
Scholarships
LDT offers merit-based scholarships on a competitive basis to incoming students with the primary purpose of supporting qualified students in pursuit of their academic careers. Students with exceptional academic standing, ability, and talent, as determined by the strength of their application materials, are considered for these awards. Students planning to enroll more than half-time (six credit hours and above) are eligible to be considered for merit-based scholarship. Scholarships can only be applied to tuition for LDT credits. Scholarships can complement, but not replace, tuition assistance from other sources.
CNDLS Graduate Associateships
LDT offers merit-based Graduate Associateships to incoming and continuing students to support their academic careers and to offer professional experience in the Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship (CNDLS). CNDLS serves as Georgetown University’s center for teaching, learning, and innovation and is at the forefront of pedagogical and scholarly innovation. Furthermore, CNDLS supports a number of projects focused on faculty and graduate student professional development, the scholarship of teaching and learning, and teaching with technology. Graduate Associates (GAs) will be paid an hourly rate and will be expected to work 15-20 hours per week. GAs support the overall operation of CNDLS by working on projects related to writing and communication, assessment, technology enhanced learning, or student learning. There is a possibility of continued employment during the second year on an hourly basis.
Fellowships
Students that demonstrate exceptional academic standing, ability, and talent, as determined by the strength of their application materials, may be considered for a Graduate School fellowship stipend to help support living expenses
U.S. Federal Need-Based Aid
The Office of Student Financial Services has information about need-based financial aid on its website, including important information about how to apply for federal student aid, deadlines, and eligibility. Visit The Office of Student Financial Services website to learn more. You can also access an example loan package offering.
International Students
The Georgetown University Graduate School offers a limited number of awards to international students in various departments based on academic qualifications. To learn more, please visit the International Student and Scholar Services webpage.
Other Assistance
Office of External Fellowships, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Students may wish to consider applying for external fellowships and grants offered by various federal and private organizations. The Office of External Fellowships in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences provides information and guidance on external funding opportunities, as well as assistance with applications. Grant-getting and writing resources, funding opportunities, programs requiring institutional endorsement, special programs and other resources can be found on the Office of External Fellowships page. Additionally, the Graduate School offers a competitive Conference Travel Grant programtwice annually to support graduate students presenting a paper or poster at a major domestic or international conference.
Scholarship Opportunities for Veterans or Dependents
Students who are eligible to receive educational benefits through the Veterans Administration may obtain information and assistance on the Georgetown Veterans’ Website.
ROTC Scholarships for Master’s Students
Details regarding ROTC Scholarship for Master’s Students through the Hoya Battalion can be found on the ROTC Scholarships for Masters Students page.
College Cost Reduction and Access Act
Through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, Congress created the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to encourage individuals to enter and continue to work full-time in public service jobs. Under this program, borrowers may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance due on their eligible federal student loans after they have made 120 payments on those loans under certain repayment plans while employed full time by certain public service employers. Visit the Public Service Loan Forgiveness page of the Federal Student Aid website for more information.
Campus Employment Opportunities
Part-time student employment, both on and off campus, is available as an alternative or supplement to a financial aid package. To assist students in locating such employment, the Office of Student Financial Services has created Hoyaworks, an online clearinghouse for part-time and temporary job listings on campus and for local businesses and organizations.
Admission FAQs
When is the application deadline?
Students who wish to have their application fee waived need to apply by January 15, 2023. The final application deadline for all students is April 1, 2023.
Is LDT a STEM Eligible program?
Yes, it is. To learn more about what this means, please visit the Office of Global Services.
When do classes start?
Students begin the program during our Fall Pre-Session in mid-to late-August with a one-week intensive introduction course. Students will begin their remaining Fall classes on the first day of the regular Fall schedule.
Where should I mail documents?
Please note that the only documents that need to be mailed are official transcripts. Test scores must be sent directly from testing agencies and the remaining materials must be submitted online. Mail your transcripts to: Georgetown University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Graduate Admissions, Box 571004 3520 Prospect Street, NW, Room CB-207 Attn: Master of Arts in Learning, Design, and Technology Washington, DC 20057-1004
Does the LDT program admit students for spring term?
While we encourage prospective students to apply for the fall term, the LDT program does admit students for the spring term under special circumstances. Please contact the Program Coordinator if you are interested in applying for the spring term.
Do you offer a part-time option for students?
Yes. We offer part-time enrollment for accepted Learning, Design, and Technology students.
Is there an application fee?
A $90.00 non-refundable fee is payable by credit card at the time of application submission.
How will I know my application has been received?
When the Graduate School receives your online application, you will receive an application verification email. After you apply online, you can sign into your account to access an electronic checklist detailing what application items have or have not been received. Your checklist is posted the day after you submit your application and application items are logged as soon as they are processed. During our high volume application season (December through March), please allow up to two weeks for your application items to be updated. Online recommendations are automatically updated to a status of “received” when submitted by the recommender. You can also check the status of your application materials by contacting the Office of Graduate Admissions at 202-687-5568, or by sending an email to gradmail@georgetown.edu with your full name and the department to which you have applied.
When will I know if I was accepted?
Generally, decisions are released 6-9 weeks after the application deadline.
What is the academic statement?
The academic statement provides you with an opportunity to share information not already demonstrated in your resume, transcripts, and other documentation and it should answer the following question: Why is Learning, Design, and Technology the program for you? It should explain your motivation to study learning design at Georgetown, discuss professional goals, and reflect on past professional and academic achievement, with particular emphasis on skills and knowledge that make you a strong candidate for the LDT program. Be thoughtful and specific to help application reviewers picture you thriving in our program’s environment. If your transcripts or test scores do not accurately represent your ability, explain why this is so. The maximum length for the academic statement is 500 words.
Which tests do I need to take?
TOEFL or IELTS: All applicants are required to demonstrate a level of proficiency in the English language sufficient to meet the admission requirement of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Proficiency can be demonstrated by one of the following:
- the receipt of a bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or from a university where English is the language of instruction for the entire institution, or
- submission of an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score report with a minimum score of approximately 550 (paper-based test) or approximately 80 (internet test), or
- submission of an official International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Academic Module score report with a minimum score of 7.0.The TOEFL and IELTS must be received directly from the appropriate testing organization. Photocopied/faxed documents will not fulfill this requirement
The GRE is not required, but applicants are welcome to submit their scores if they wish. Our application committee will consider the scores during the review process.
How do I report my official test scores?
You need to request that ETS (Educational Testing Services) send your GRE or TOEFL scores to Georgetown University. To request scores, use the code associated with the program to which you are applying. The GRE code is 5244 and the TOEFL code is 5244. For the IELTS code, visit the IELTS website. We are not able to accept copies or unofficial score reports. You may contact ETS at 1-800-473-2255 in regard to GRE scores and at 1-800-468-6335 regarding the TOEFL. You can also visit ETS’s GRE page and ETS’s TOEFL page. For more information about IELTS visit the IELTS website.
Is there a language proficiency requirement for admission?
All applicants are required to demonstrate a level of proficiency in the English language sufficient to meet the admission requirement of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Proficiency can be demonstrated by:
- the receipt of a bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or from a university where English is the language of instruction for the entire institution;
- submission of an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score report with a minimum score of approximately 80 (internet test); or
- submission of an official International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Academic Module score report with a minimum score of 7.0.
TOEFL and IELTS must be received directly from the appropriate testing organization. Photocopied/faxed documents will not fulfill this requirement. Exception: International students who received a bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education where the primary language was English will be considered for an exemption from this requirement.
How many recommendations are required?
We require that applicants submit three recommendations. Ideally, applicants should include at least one academic recommendation and one professional recommendation.
How should my references submit recommendations?
References must submit recommendations using the online application portal. The online application utilizes a secure online recommendation system which will:
- automatically email your recommendation providers with instructions for online submission of the recommendation;
- allow applicants to track recommendations received or not received and follow up with recommenders who still need to submit their appraisals; and
- expedite the processing of recommendations, which will be included in the online application once submitted.
What if my references can’t access the online recommendation?
In the event a reference cannot access the online recommendation, please contact the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences admissions staff for instructions.3