@lovelyAshley When you log into your GWU application status page, there should be a link to your “cost of attendance page” it will show the GWU costs for 2015-16 year, then your grants and scholarships (free money) will be subtracted from that number. This will show what your net costs actually are. This is the number that is important because it is the real number before any loans, work study etc. This is the number you have to discuss with your parents to figure out if GWU is affordable. Then below this number it shows you your options to pay: work study, loans and your expected family contribution (usually higher than on the FAFSA form).
Although GWU has fixed tuition, other things go up, most notably housing. My son’s housing and meal plans had a net increase of almost 5k from freshman to sophomore year (The dorm went way up and the meal plan went down). There are options for dorms that are not as steep, but he is in affinity housing and the dorm is dictated by that. All the information on the dorms and meal plans are clearly spelled out on the website, so make sure you check that out also to factor in costs in subsequent years.