Federal Workforce: Resources for Displaced Employees

The Consortium is working with our member institutions to help our region respond to the projected shifts in the federal workforce sector. Below are highlights of how our institutions are partnering in support with dedicated websites, upcoming career transition events, print and online resources, education financial support, featured academic programs for the community, as well as career and support services for their own students and alumni.

Websites & Resources

American University

- Navigating the Evolving Climate–Federal Hiring: News & Resources

George Mason University

- Displaced Workers Support

Georgetown University

- Resources, Updates and Responses to Federal Changes
- Georgetown Pathways: Empowering Career Transitions to support displaced federal employees

Northern Virginia Community College

- NOVAnext: Helping Displaced Federal Workers Transition to New Careers

University of Maryland – College Park

- Pathways Forward Resource Hub

University of Maryland Global Campus

- Resources for Former Federal Employees

Plus:

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

- Local & State Resources

Events, Webinars & Speaker Series

(Note: These events are accessible to all individuals who express an interest. It is not necessary to hold membership in any of the universities or colleges to access them.)

Trailblazing After the Avalanche: Career Strategy for Tumultuous Times. American University. Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 5:30 PM ET. Facilitated by Professor Jennifer Steele, AU School of Education.

Past events:

Patriots Helping Patriots Speaker Series: Ask Me Anything. Hosted by the George Mason University Alumni Association. This series showcases accomplished alumni from a variety of industries who will share their insights, experiences, and strategies for succeeding in an unpredictable job market.
Career Pivot Webinar: Navigating Career Transitions: Leveraging Your Network Beyond Government. George Washington University Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 12:00-1:30 PM EST.
Next Chapter: Navigating Job Transitions & Federal-to-Civilian Career Moves. Presented by Lisa Andrews, PhD. Georgetown University. Monday, March 31, 2025, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST. Description: Whether you’re facing job loss, considering a career shift, or transitioning from federal service to the private sector, this session equips you with the tools and confidence to navigate change successfully.
Career Pivot: Staying Resilient and Navigating the Job Search after a Layoff . Presented by Annie Rao, Director, Graduate Career Center, Georgetown University. Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST. Description: Navigating job loss can be a challenging and anxious experience that can leave you feeling adrift. This session will help you to identify transferable skills, leverage your existing network, break into new professional spheres, identify goals, and create a plan.
From Federal to Private: Tips and Tools to Transition your Resume. Presented by Annie Rao, Director, Graduate Career Center, Georgetown University. Wednesday, April 23, 2025, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST.
Next Steps: Resource Expo for Federal Employees & Contractors. George Mason University – Mason Square (Arlington Campus). Wednesday, May 28, 2025, 12:30 PM to 5:30 PM EST. Discover job opportunities, resources, and career-themed workshops.
Navigating Career Transitions: A Transformational Journey, A 2-Day Career Transition Experience for Federal Employees. Georgetown University. Planned for July 2025. Check back here for registration information.

Educational Support

George Mason University

Fee waivers for graduate school applications.
For dependents considering attending GMU, reconsideration to ensure the aid package is maximized with new information.

Georgetown University

Georgetown’s School of Continuing Studies is offering short-term professional certificates across several fields at a 30% discount as part of its new initiative Georgetown Pathways: Empowering Career Transitions to support displaced federal employees. (All certificates are eligible for the discount except for these programs.)
Georgetown is offering a 10% scholarship on the base tuition to current or recently separated federal civil government employees pursuing a master’s degree. This discount is applicable to current and former federal professionals applying to the Summer and Fall 2025 terms. Application must include proof of federal civil service employment or affected status. Some restrictions may apply. In addition, we are waiving the application fee and extending the deadline to May 1 (or beyond for some programs) for those applying to start a master’s degree in Fall 2025 for nearly all master’s programs at Georgetown. (All master’s degree programs are eligible for the application fee waiver except the MBA and Executive MBA programs.)
Georgetown is providing flexibility for interested applicants who cannot meet published application deadlines. For those interested in exploring master’s degree options without committing to a degree program, Georgetown offers a visiting non-degree student program.

George Washington University
To help ease career transitions for those facing a sudden career change situation due to recent federal workforce reductions, the GW College of Professional Studies (CPS) is offering a 20% tuition discount for current and prospective students impacted in 2025. Eligible individuals must apply and complete an admissions application to register for the Summer or Fall semester by April 1, 2025, and provide a copy of a dismissal letter from an agency or a copy of an email dismissal from the agency with .gov email. This opportunity expires December 31, 2025. For more information about the tuition discount, please contact applycps@gwu.edu.

GW CPS Programs Eligible for the Discount: The 20% tuition discount applies to the following undergraduate and master’s degree programs:
- Homeland Security (UG/MPS)
- Cybersecurity Strategy and Information Management (MPS)
- Cybersecurity (UG)
- IT (UG)
- Paralegal Studies (MPS)
- Political Management (MPS)
- Legislative Affairs (MPS)
- Public Relations and Communications (MPS)
- Publishing (MPS)
- Sustainable Urban Planning (MPS)

Northern Virginia Community College
NOVA is committing up to $1 million in scholarship aid to allow approved participants to enroll in one of 14 courses at no charge and access NOVA-sponsored online workshops on resume-writing and job search techniques. https://www.nvcc.edu/about/news/press-releases/2025/New-NOVAnext-program.html

Featured Academic Programs

American University

Program Finder is AU’s easy-to-use resource to find the right opportunity, and it also provides information about student outcomes in each of our degree programs and lifelong learning opportunities.
Masters of Public Policy/Masters of Public Administration – (School of Public Affairs)
Data Science (College of Arts and Sciences)
Economics (College of Arts and Sciences)
Health Promotion Management (College of Arts and Sciences)
Sustainability Management (Kogod School of Business)
AU has dozens of non-degree and certificate programs for professionals at all stages of their careers – School of Public Affairs, Kogod School of Business, School of International Service, Executive Education

Catholic University of America

Master of Science in Business
Master of Science in Data Analytics
Master of Science in Engineering Management
Master of Science in Management
Nursing programs
School of Professional Studies: Professional Development Programs

Georgetown University (see Educational Support above for info on tuition discounts and other benefits for these programs)

George Washington University (see Educational Support above for info on tuition discounts and other benefits for these programs)

Upskilling and reskilling microcredentials and executive programs
Masters in Cybersecurity Strategy and Information Systems
Masters in Homeland Security
Masters in Legislative Affairs
Masters in Paralegal Studies
Masters in Political Management
Masters in Public Relations and Communications
Masters in Publishing Management
Masters in Sustainable Urban Planning
Bachelor Completion Programs in Cybersecurity, IT, and Homeland Security

Howard University

Marymount University

Reskilling Bootcamps (e.g., AI, Linux, Python & Splunk)
Fundamentals/Certification Preparation (e.g., Data+, Security= and ITIL)
Master of Arts in Forensic and Legal Psychology
Master of Social Work (a fully online program)
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations
Certificate in Business Information Technologies
Certificate in Business Management
Certificate in Cybersecurity
Certificate in Data Science
Certificate in IT Project Management
Certificate in International Relations

Prince George’s Community College

Trinity Washington University

University of the District of Columbia

University of Maryland Global Campus

Springboard Online Career Bootcamps
Students can transfer up to 90 credits from prior college, military, and work experience, exams, industry certifications, etc. toward an undergraduate degree.
AWS Cloud Institute
Undergraduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence Foundations
Undergraduate Certificate in Computer Networking
Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Technology
Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Technology
IT & Computer Science Programs

Virginia Tech – Innovation Campus

K-12 STEM initiatives
Bridge Program in Computer Science
AI & Machine Learning Bootcamp
Master of Business Administration
Department of Engineering
Master of Science in Computer Science (thesis & non-thesis)
Master of Science in Computer Engineering (thesis & non-thesis)
Hospitality and Tourism Analytics and Revenue Management (online certificate)

Other Support Services & Programs

George Mason University

(Note: These programs and services at George Mason University are accessible to all individuals who express an interest. It is not necessary to be a part of the GMU community to access them.)

Mason Enterprise. Gain free support and coaching for establishing small or home-based businesses, whether for consulting in your area of expertise or providing federal contracting services to complete tasks that remain necessary but are no longer managed by federal employees.
Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Complimentary online tools to enhance every aspect of your health, including the weekly free Thriving Together Series on well-being topics with strategies for how to apply these practices.
Mason Arts. The College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) is offering free tickets to performances across Mason Arts venues for federal employees and/or contractors recently separated from positions.
Intercollegiate Sports. Free admission to events in 2025.