About The Award

The award provides up to $6,000 over four years (i.e., $1,500 per year) and is available to first-year students enrolling for the 2025-2026 academic year. This program is not available for continuing students who have started their studies prior to the Fall 2025 cycle. The availability of the Gopher Visit Award for future academic years will depend on the college’s decision to continue the program.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Gopher Visit Award for the 2025-2026 academic year, students must meet each of the following conditions:

• A documented campus visit
• FASFA filing by May 1st, 2025
• Full-time enrollment  
• First-year 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.

If a student requests a deposit delay due to the campus visit and the request is approved, the campus visit portion of the award may be extended beyond the May 1st deposit deadline. However, the final deposit deadline generally cannot be extended for reasons other than a campus visit.

FASFA Filing Requirements

Students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2025-2026 academic year between July 1, 2024, and May 1, 2025. Failure to file the FAFSA by the deadline will exclude the student from eligibility for the Gopher Award.

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 Status

The Gopher Visit Award is available only to first-year students who have not previously attended any college or university. This includes students enrolling for the 2025-2026 academic year and is not available to students who have started prior to the Fall 2025 cycle. The program is not available to continuing students who have already matriculated at Goucher College in prior years.

Award Details

• Renewability: The Gopher Visit 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 Visit Award can be up to $6,000 over four years (up to $1,500 per year).
• Annual Award: The Gopher Visit 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 Visit 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 Visit 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 college prior to the Fall 2025 cycle. The Gopher Award is not available for continuing students.
  
  

Important Notes

• The May 1st deadline is the cutoff for both deposit submission and FAFSA filing. Exceptions to the deposit deadline may only be made if the delay is due to a campus visit.
• The Gopher Visit Award is not available to students who have started their studies prior to the Fall 2025 academic cycle. This includes any students who have previously attended another college or university.
• The Gopher Visit Award is a top-up to the student’s standard financial aid award and is applied directly to their Goucher College account.
• The Gopher Visit Award is subject to the college’s decision to continue or discontinue the program in future academic years.
• The Gopher Visit Award is not transferable to another institution.
  
  

Contact Information

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