Georgetown announces reduced tuition, career services for fired federal workers

Georgetown University is launching a program to offer tuition assistance and career services for the thousands of federal workers impacted by President Trump's push to shrink the government workforce.

“Over the past few weeks, the lives of thousands of public servants have been disrupted with reductions in staff at federal agencies,” interim Georgetown President Robert M. Groves said in a message announcing the new initiative Monday. “Our university response: we expand opportunities for education.”

Georgetown unveiled a new web repository of available resources, including ways that verified federal workers who've lost their jobs can get 10 percent discounts on most master's degree programs and reduced prices for some professional certificates. The university also is waving application fees and extending deadlines to apply for master’s programs this fall.

Additionally, Georgetown is offering free career seminars through the summer for ousted federal workers, beginning with a session on “federal-to-civilian career moves” on March 31 and an April 9 seminar on “navigating the job search after a layoff.”

Groves, who was director of the Census Bureau under former President Obama, became the Georgetown’s interim leader in November 2024 after longtime university President John DeGioia retired for health reasons.

"We recognize the incomparable value of the work that many in our community have committed their careers to, and we will continue to offer support as we navigate these changes together," Groves said in his announcement.

Mass firings under Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency, which is led by tech billionaire Elon Musk, have hit federal employees across government, including many deemed "probationary" workers who generally have been on the job less than two years and are easier to terminate under the law. The effort is being challenged in court.

The Department of Education laid off nearly half of its workforce, about 1,315 employees, last week.

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