Tuition, Expenses, and Financial Aid
- Tuition and Fees
- Expenses
- Financial Aid
Student Accounts Office
North Chesapeake Module, Room 11
4400 University Drive, MS 2E2
Fairfax, Virginia 22030-4444
Phone: 703-993-2484
Fax: 703-993-2490
Tuition and Fees
General Guidelines and Student Responsibilities
- Students are responsible for maintaining current addresses via Patriot Web (patriotweb.gmu.edu), and for activating and checking their George Mason University e-mail accounts.
- Registration shall not be considered completed unless all outstanding balances from the prior term are paid in full.
- By registering for classes, students accept responsibility for charges for the entire semester.
- Payments are due in the Cash Office, Student Union Building (SUB) I, Room 104, on or before 4:30 p.m. on due dates, regardless of postmark if mailed. Visa and MasterCard payments made on Patriot Web must be completed by 11 p.m. to be considered in that day’s business. For more information on payment due dates and penalties, refer to the payment schedule and Academic Calendar in the Schedule of Classes.
- Students who have not completed the financial aid process must be prepared to pay for their courses by the tuition due date, or late payment fees will apply. The amount of financial aid accepted and processed will be reflected in the account balance. If the amount of aid awarded is less than the charges, the difference must be paid by the tuition due date. Federal Loan borrowers must submit a completed promissory note at least four weeks before the payment due date for these funds to be considered in the balance. Federal work-study awards cannot be deducted from the balance.
- Failure to receive a reminder bill confirming charges does not waive the requirement for payment when due. Patriot Web can confirm balance due.
- Students are responsible for dropping unwanted courses (including waitlist courses) by the drop dates, and using the drop and withdrawal procedures published in each term’s Schedule of Classes. Full or partial tuition liability may apply.
- Nonreturning students are responsible for submitting a written withdrawal to the Offices of the Registrar, Housing and Residence Life, and Student Financial Aid. Penalties may apply.
- Some of Mason’s degree programs include academic credits that students must earn at other academic institutions. Students enrolling for such credits assume all financial responsibility directly with the other institutions.
Students enrolling in Mason’s off-campus courses are assessed tuition and fees at the same rates as those for on-campus courses.
2005–06 Semester Tuition Charges
(subject to change)
Approved tuition rates are available June 1. For more information, call Student Accounts at 703-993-2484 (option 4), or go to studentaccounts.gmu.edu. Also, students are charged tuition rates according to their academic level; graduate rates vary.
| In-State Undergraduate | In-State Graduate | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (12-16 credits) | $2,913 | N/A* |
| Per credit hour | $242.75 | $279.25 |
| Out-of-State Undergraduate | Out-of-State Graduate | |
| Full-time (12-16 credits) | $8,460 | N/A* |
| Per credit hour | $705 | $705 |
* Graduate students are charged by the credit hour.
Related Fees
(Applicable to all students; subject to change)
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application Fee, Undergraduate | $60 |
| Application Fee, Graduate | $40 |
| Lab fee | $25 |
| IT&E Course Fee (per credit hour) | $9 |
| CVPA Course Fee (per credit hour) | $10 |
| Orientation/Undergraduate New Student Fee (nonrefundable) | $145 |
| Graduate New Student Fee | $60 |
| International Student Health Insurance Fee (nonrefundable) | $1,075 |
Other Fees
Undergraduate, graduate new student fees
These are mandatory, non-refundable fees that are charged to the account of every newly admitted student regardless of orientation attendance or enrollment status.
Penalties
Any student who fraudulently or knowingly provides false information in an attempt to evade payment of out-of-state tuition will be charged out-of-state tuition for each term or semester attended, and may be subject to dismissal from the institution.
Tuition charges, refunds for dropped courses
Students are required to pay full or partial tuition for courses they drop after the last day to drop with full tuition refund. For more information, see the tuition liability dates in the Academic Calendar in the Schedule of Classes. In cases where tuition liability is less than the payments on the student’s account, a refund of the overpayment may be requested. A refund request form is available via the Student Accounts web site and Student Accounts Office. The university will issue check refunds payable to the student; credit card refunds will be credited back to the originating card.
Special registration fee
Students not enrolled in a credit-bearing course, but whose academic department certifies that they are pursuing an activity related to George Mason matriculation, can retain active status by registering for Special Registration (SREG 200, Section 001) for a $45 fee. Written approval of the student’s advisor or instructor and the academic department chair is required. This special registration allows students to retain their library and computer privileges, receive a student ID, and buy a parking decal. Students must have active status to apply for or receive a degree, take an exam, or participate in cooperative education. Students pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree must maintain continuous enrollment. For more information, see the “Graduate Policies” section in the Academic Policies chapter.
Health insurance fee for international students
Health insurance is required for all F-1 and J-1 visa holders. The health insurance fee is deducted from all payments received by the university before funds are applied to tuition or other charges. For more information, see the “Admission of International Students” section in the Admissions chapter.
Private music instruction fee (subject to change)
Private music instruction is arranged through the Department of Music on a fee-paying basis. A half-hour lesson (1 credit) is $164.50; an hour lesson (2 or 3 credits) is $329.
Eligibility for In-State Tuition
To be eligible for in-state tuition, a student must have been domiciled in Virginia for at least one full year before the semester for which in-state tuition is sought, or qualify through an exception. A person establishes domicile by demonstrating physical presence and the intention to remain indefinitely in accordance with Virginia domicile guidelines. Copies of the guidelines and other applicable state laws are available from the Office of the Registrar or at registrar.gmu.edu/domicile.
Change of Domicile Classification
Domicile classification is determined at the time of a student’s admission. To be considered for in-state status when applying to the university, students must file an application for in-state rates.
New and currently enrolled students classified as out-of-state who believe they qualify for in-state tuition after being admitted must file a domicile appeal form with the Office of the Registrar no later than the first day of classes for the semester in which in-state rates are sought. Appeal forms are available from the Office of the Registrar and at registrar.gmu.edu/domicile.
Students whose appeals are denied have the right to seek further review of their status by the Office of the Registrar or the Third Level Domicile Appeals Committee. These requests must be filed in a timely manner as stated in denial letters. Forms are available from the Registrar’s Office and the web site. In addition, students should be aware that university procedures for appealing domicile decisions have been established pursuant to state law and are subject to change.
Out-of-state students with an appeal pending at the time of tuition billing are responsible for payment at that rate. Students subsequently determined to be in-state may request reimbursement of overpayment from the Office of Student Accounts. For more information regarding in-state eligibility, contact Domicile Administration in the Registrar’s Office in North Chesapeake Module, Room 8, phone: 703-993-2464, e-mail: domicile@apollo.gmu.edu.
Payment Methods
Where to Pay
Web: Patriot Web, patriotweb.gmu.edu, accepts MasterCard or Visa
Window: Cash Office, SUB I, Room 104, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Drop Box: Outside Cash Office, SUB I, Room 104
U.S. Mail: George Mason University, Cash Office, 4400 University Drive, MS 2E1, Fairfax, Va. 22030-4444. Postmarks are not considered proof-of-payment date.
How to Pay
Cash: At window only, Cash Office, SUB I, Room 104
Check: Payable to George Mason University, with student ID number written on front. Third-party checks are not accepted. Checks must be payable in U.S. dollars.
Credit card: (subject to credit approval): MasterCard or Visa. Daytime phone number must be provided. Written authorizations or Patriot Web (patriotweb.gmu.edu).
Fax: 703-993-2492. Use fax payment authorization form, available at studentaccounts.gmu.edu.
When to Pay
Payment is due the first day of classes. See the payment schedule in the Schedule of Classes. Payments received at the Cash Office by 4:30 p.m Monday to Friday will be considered as that day’s business. Visa and Mastercard payments made on Patriot Web must be completed by 11 p.m. to be considered in that day’s business. To confirm receipt of payment and balance due on account, go to patriotweb.gmu.edu. Allow ample time for processing payments.
Payment Plan Options
Semester payment plan
This option is available for students who need to budget a minimum of $500. Payments for study abroad, global education, and international student health insurance cannot be deferred. A payment contract, available on the Student Accounts web site, must be submitted to the Cash Office with a down payment of one-half of the con-tract amount plus fee. The contract fee is $25 and is non-refundable. Failure to pay outstanding balance will result in financial hold, a late fee (up to $250), and normal university collection activity, and may prevent students from being eligible to use this contract to defer payments in future semesters.
Monthly installment plan
Students may budget all or part of their semester tuition, room, and meal expenses in five equal monthly payments. Budgets are determined by the student or parent. A life insurance benefit is included in this plan. A minimum budget of $500 is required, and a fee is charged. Failure to make budget payments will result in a canceled budget, financial suspension, a late fee up to $250, and normal university collection activity. For more information, call Academic Management Services, 800-635-0120.
Third-party billing authorizations
Students using third-party billing authorization will be charged a $25 processing fee. Students may receive an individual billing statement. Students must provide the third-party billing authorization or government training voucher to the Student Accounts Office before the student’s individual due date, which is based on the registration date. Students are ultimately responsible for any defaults in payments by the sponsoring agency. For a copy of third-party billing requirements, call 703-993-2484, or go to studentaccounts.gmu.edu, select “students” and then “student accounts.”
Financial Penalties
Late registration fee
A late registration fee of $250 will be charged for all initial registrations occuring on or after the first day of classes. This fee is nonrefundable.
Late fee
Failure to make any payment on or before the due date results in a late fee of up to $250.
Returned check fee
A $25 returned check fee will be charged for each unpaid check returned by the bank. If the returned check results in an unpaid account, an additional late fee up to $250 will be charged, and financial suspension will result.
Financial Suspension
All academic service is withheld for students who are not in good financial standing with the university. This means that no transcripts are issued, no diplomas are released, and no registrations are permitted until outstanding obligations have been paid in full. Outstanding obligations include, without limitation, fines owed for traffic and parking violations, and to libraries of institutions and participating public libraries of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area.
Collection of Accounts
Failure to meet financial obligations to the university may result in the delinquent account being placed with a collection agency, the withholding of money from tax returns, and other collection procedures. Students are responsible for costs incurred by the university to collect delinquent accounts.
Expenses
Housing
Office of Housing and Residence Life
Ground floor of Potomac Heights
Phone: 703-993-2720
Web: housing.gmu.edu
The university offers a variety of housing options to meet the diverse needs of students living on campus. Upperclass students may choose from among living environments that include traditional-style residence halls, suites, apartments, and townhouses. The university requires freshmen to live in Presidents Park or University Commons, which are traditional-style residence halls in quints, triples, and doubles. The estimated housing costs for the 2005–6 academic year are approximately $3,000 to $6,500 per year. Housing rates are subject to change; actual rates will be available early in the spring 2005 semester on the Office of Housing and Residence Life web site. All students in housing must provide a prepayment, which is applied to the spring semester rent. Housing assignments, including single rooms, are made on a priority and space-available basis.
Students living on campus are required to sign an academic (two-semester) year contract. Releases from the contract are granted only in cases of unforeseen hardship and carry a financial penalty. For more information, contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life, which is located on the ground floor of Potomac Heights in the wing closest to the Aquatic Center.
Dining Services
Student Union Building (SUB) II, Room 2014
Phone: 703-993-3300
Web: www.gmu.edu/univ_ctr/services/dining
Meal Plan Office
SUB II, Lower Level, Room 1013
Phone: 703-993-2870
Web: www.gmu.edu/univserv/allunivcard
Dining Services offers a variety of food options for students living on campus or commuting to any of the three Mason campuses. The Dining Services locations at the Fairfax Campus include a traditional all-you-care- to-eat dining facility called Ciao Hall, in SUB II; Union Station, in SUB I; and in the Johnson Center, several options including a food court featuring national names such as Charlie Chiang’s, Burger King and Taco Bell Express. Dining Services units are also located at the Arlington and Prince William Campuses.
For the 2005–06 academic year, meal plans for students living on campus range from approximately $2,100 to $3,400 per year (rates are subject to change). A variety of meal-plan options are available for resident students, off-campus students, faculty, and staff.
Dining Plan Changes
Meal Plan Office
SUB II, Lower Level, Room 1013
Phone: 703-993-2870
Increases in meal plans may be made at any time. The last day to decrease mandatory meal plans, however, coincides with the last day to add classes. Seniors with 90 credit hours, or students living in the Townhouses, Apartments, Liberty Square, or Potomac Heights are not required to have a meal plan. Changes must be made at the Meal Plan Office, located on the lower level in SUB II, 703-993-2870.
Motor Vehicle Registration Fee
Sandy Creek Parking Office
Phone: 703-993-2710
Web: www.gmu.edu/univserv/parking/
Students who park their vehicles on university property must register them with Parking Services and pay a fee for a parking decal. Decals are available for a year, semester, summer, or week. For decal sales, fine payments, special requests, or problems, go to the Sandy Creek Parking Office. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, read the “Parking Policy” section in the General Policies chapter of this catalog.
Financial Aid
Office of Student Financial Aid
South Chesapeake Module
E-mail: finaid@gmu.edu
Phone: 703-993-2353
Fax: 703-993-2350
The Office of Student Financial Aid provides a variety of services to help students finance their education. They include counseling, referral and information resources, and financial assistance. Student financial aid awards consist of grants, loans and work-study. Awards are based primarily on financial need, although there are some alternative resources available for those who may not qualify for need-based aid.
The office has a comprehensive listing of various scholarship opportunities for students to research on the financial aid web page. Students are encouraged to review the scholarship information early and frequently to meet deadlines, since the listings are updated often.
Located in South Chesapeake Module, the office is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Financial aid counselors are assigned to students alphabetically based on students’ last names, and are available daily on an appointment basis.
To apply for financial aid, each year new and currently enrolled students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). George Mason’s federal school code for the FAFSA is 003749. Priority consideration for all sources of financial aid is given to those students whose financial aid applications are on file with the Office of Student Financial Aid by March 1. To meet this priority filing date, students should file the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1. The FAFSA can be filed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov, or a paper copy can be obtained from the office.
Financial aid for Summer Term is generally limited to students graduating at the end of Summer Term or the fall semester. Contact the Office of Student Financial Aid for specifics regarding eligibility. The summer aid application is available on April 1.
All students receiving financial aid must:
Be enrolled in an eligible degree or the TEAC certificate program for at least half-time in any given semester
Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the Office of Student Financial Aid, in accordance with federal guidelines (see below)
Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen as defined by the U.S. Department of Education
All aid recipients are responsible for becoming familiar and complying with applicable federal and state laws, university regulations, Mason student aid information resources, and the student aid satisfactory academic progress policy, which is detailed in the glossary section of the home page of apollo.gmu.edu/finaid and in the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards for Financial Aid
Federal legislation governing the administration of federal programs requires colleges and universities to define and enforce standards of progress for students receiving or applying for financial aid. To comply with this legislation, the Office of Student Financial Aid has established a formal satisfactory academic progress policy.
For a detailed explanation of the satisfactory academic progress standards, go to the Student Financial Aid home page at apollo.gmu.edu/finaid or the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Aid Programs
The university administers the following federal, state, and other aid programs:
Federal programs
These include the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study (FWS), Federal Perkins Loan Program, Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans, Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, and Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (FPLUS). For more information, refer to the Student Guide for Federal Financial Aid (available in the Office of Student Financial Aid), or go to the Student Financial Aid home page at apollo.gmu.edu/finaid.
State programs for undergraduate Virginia residents
Eligibility for all state programs is based on the results received from the FAFSA. State grant funds are limited, so adherence to the March 1 priority filing date is critical.
Virginia Commonwealth Award
This program is open to undergraduate students who have demonstrated financial need, are enrolled at least half time, and are domiciliary residents of Virginia.
Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP)
This program is a component of the Virginia Commonwealth Award Program that is open to students who demonstrated academic achievement in high school. VGAP awards may be renewable for up to four years.
Virginia College Scholarship Assistance Program (CSAP) grant
This program uses a combination of federal and state funds to provide additional assistance to students who are enrolled at least half time, are Virginia residents, and who demonstrate significant financial need.
Graduate Student Assistance
Assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships exclusive of the federal financial aid programs identified earlier are administered by the individual graduate programs. Students interested in pursuing graduate assistantships, fellowships, or scholarships should contact their graduate program.
Emergency Loan Programs
Mary E. Ferguson Emergency Loan Program
Currently enrolled students may borrow funds for legitimate emergencies excluding tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Emergency loans must be repaid within 30 days; overdue payments result in a late charge of $5 for each 30 days past due. Failure to repay the loan within 30 days, without requesting an extension for a reasonable justification, will result in financial suspension. Students financially suspended for nonpayment of an emergency loan are ineligible for any future emergency loans. Application is made through the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Doug Beaman Emergency Loan Program
The George Mason Alumni Association established an emergency loan fund through which students may borrow up to $100; repayment is due within 30 days. The program is available to all students, with priority to children of alumni. Application is made through the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Lisa Kenaga Memorial Student Emergency Loan Fund
The Office of Student Financial Aid has established an emergency loan fund through which currently enrolled students may borrow funds for legitimate emergencies excluding tuition and fees. Emergency loans must be repaid within 30 days with a $10 processing fee; overdue payment results in a late charge of $5 for each 30 days past due. Failure to repay the loan within 30 days, without requesting an extension for a reasonable justification, will result in financial suspension. Students financially suspended for nonpayment of an emergency loan are ineligible for future emergency loans. Application is made through the Office of Student Financial Aid.
ROTC Scholarships
Please see the “Reserve Officer Training Corps” section in the Academic Programs and Resources chapter.