About The Award

The award provides up to $6,000 over four years (i.e., $1,500 per year) and is available to domestic first-year and transfer students enrolling for the 2026-2027 academic year. This program is not available for continuing students who have started their studies prior to the Fall 2026 cycle. The availability of the Gopher Award for future academic years will depend on the college’s decision to continue the program.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Gopher Award for the 2026-2027 academic year, students must meet each of the following conditions:

• A documented campus visit by April 1, 2026 (First-year students only), and August 1, 2026 (Transfer students only) 
• FAFSA filing by April 1, 2026 (First-year students only), and August 1, 2026 (Transfer students only) 
• Full-time enrollment  
• Domestic first-year or transfer status
  
  

Campus Visit Requirement

Students must complete a documented campus visit before the final deposit deadline. Accepted visits include: In-person campus tours, admitted student events, and other visit opportunities coordinated by the Admissions Office.

To arrange your in-person visit, please use our scheduler:

Online Scheduler

FAFSA Filing Requirements

Students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2026–2027 academic year between July 1, 2025, and April 1, 2026, for first-year students, and between July 1, 2025, and August 1, 2026, for transfer students.

April 1 is the deadline for both the campus visit and FAFSA submission for first-year students, while August 1 is the deadline for transfer students.

 

Full-Time Enrollment Requirement

Students must be enrolled full-time at Goucher College (a minimum of 12 credits per semester) during the academic year in which the award is offered.

Exclusions Due to Full-Tuition Awards

Students who receive full-tuition awards are ineligible for the Gopher Award. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Tuition Exchange – CIC
• Tuition Remission
• Full tuition scholarships (such as the Dorsey Scholarship)
  
  

First-Year & Transfer Status

The Gopher Award is available only to first-year and transfer students who are eligible to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This includes students enrolling for the 2026-2027 academic year and is not available to students who have started prior to the Fall 2026 cycle. The program is not available to continuing students who have already matriculated at Goucher College in prior years.

Award Details

• Renewability: The Gopher Award is renewable for up to four years, provided the student continues to meet the eligibility criteria.
• Maximum Award Amount: The total value of the Gopher Award can be up to $6,000 over four years (up to $1,500 per year).
• Annual Award: The Gopher Award is a top-up to the student’s standard financial aid package, with the amount based on the student's financial need and other factors outlined in their financial aid offer.
  
  

Renewal Requirements

To maintain eligibility for the Gopher Award after the first year, students must:

• Maintain full-time enrollment at Goucher College (a minimum of 12 credits per semester).
• Submit the FAFSA each year to demonstrate continued financial need.
• Maintain good academic standing as defined by Goucher College.
• Remain continuously enrolled at Goucher College, without any extended leave of absence.
  
  

Ineligibility Criteria

A student will be ineligible for the Gopher Award if any of the following apply.

• Failure to visit campus by the required deadline (unless a deposit delay request due to the visit has been approved).
• Failure to file the FAFSA by the required deadline.
• Receiving a full-tuition award (including, but not limited to, Tuition Exchange, Tuition Remission, or full-tuition scholarships such as the Dorsey Scholarship).
• Failure to maintain full-time enrollment (fewer than 12 credits per semester).
• Failure to maintain good academic standing as defined by Goucher College. A 2.0 GPA is required.
• The student has already started at Goucher prior to the Fall 2026 cycle. The Gopher Award is not available for continuing students.
  
  

Important Notes

• The May 1 deadline is the cutoff for deposit submission.
• The Gopher Award is not available to students who have started their studies prior to the Fall 2026 academic cycle.
• The Gopher Award is a top-up to the student’s standard financial aid award and is applied directly to their Goucher College account.
• The Gopher Award is subject to the college’s decision to continue or discontinue the program in future academic years.
• The Gopher Award is not transferable to another institution.
  
  

Contact Information

For questions about eligibility, the application process, or the Gopher Award itself, please contact the Goucher College Student Financial Services Office finaid@goucher.edu or the Admissions Office admissions@goucher.edu.