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Catalog Index Search the 1999-2000 Catalog: |
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Tuition, Expenses, and Financial Aid
Tuition and FeesGeneral Guidelines and Student Responsibilities
Pending Board of Visitors approval and subject
to change. For current tuition charges, call
(703) 993-1000. Choose the Student Accounts option.
Eligibility for In-State Tuition To be eligible for in-state tuition charges, a person must have been domiciled in Virginia for at least one year before the semester for which in-state tuition is sought, or qualify through one of the exceptions. A person becomes domiciled in Virginia when legally capable of establishing a domicile and when physically present in Virginia with the present intention of remaining in the state indefinitely. Domiciliary intent is a part of the definition of domicile. The student seeking the privilege of in-state tuition rates bears the burden of demonstrating such intent existed for at least one year. A copy of the complete domicile legislation is available at the reserve desk in the Johnson Center Library. Change of Domicile Classification Students are responsible for applying for change in their domiciliary status. Out-of-state students who seek reclassification of their domicile status are strongly encouraged to complete a Request for Domicile Reclassification form so that a decision can be made before tuition payments must be made. All applications are processed in chronological order as of date they are received. If a student is deemed out-of-state at the intermediate level, he or she can submit a Request for Reconsideration and/or appeal to the Third Level Domicile Appeals Committee within the time frame set forth in the letter denying in-state status. University procedures for appealing domicile decisions have been established pursuant to state law and are subject to change. No requests will be accepted after the first day of classes within the semester for which the reclassification is sought. Out-of-state students with request(s) pending at the time of tuition billing will be billed at the out-of-state rate. Students subsequently determined to be in-state can request reimbursements from the Office of Student Accounts. The Request for Domicile Reclassification form is available in the Registrar's Office, Enterprise Hall, Room 416, (703) 993-2441. Questions should be addressed to the Registrar's Office. Penalties A student who fraudulently or knowingly provides false information in an attempt to evade payment of out-of-state tuition shall 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 that they drop after the first week of classes. See the Tuition Liability chart on page 2 of the Schedule of Classes. In cases where tuition liability is less than the payment on the student's account, a refund of the overpayment may be requested. A Refund Request form, available in Student Accounts and the Schedule of Classes., must be completed and submitted to the Student Accounts Office. Questions should be addressed to (703) 993-2484. A check from the state treasurer's office in Richmond is mailed to the student.
Special Registration Fee Students not enrolled in a credit-bearing course, but whose academic department certifies that they are pursuing an activity related to their 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, to receive a student ID, and to buy a parking decal. Students must have active status to apply for or receive a degree, take an examination, or participate in cooperative education. International Student Health Insurance Fee 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. Failure to make this payment can result in cancellation of classes. New Student Fee Newly admitted undergraduate students are assessed a new student fee of $100. Private Music Instruction Fee
Subject to change. Private music instruction is
arranged through the Department of Music on a fee-paying basis
as follows:
For a nonmajor:
Motor Vehicle Registration Fee 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 and fine payments, come to Room 201A off the main lobby of Student Union I, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For special requests or problems, come to Student Union II, Room 354, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (703) 993-2710. Where to Pay Phone: (703) 993-4GMU, Option 4. MasterCard or VISA Window: Cash Office, Student Union I, Room 104, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday Drop Box: Outside Cash Office, Student Union I, Room 104 U.S. Mail: George Mason University, Cash Office, MS
2E1, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444.
Postmarks are not considered.
Cash: At window only Check: Payable to GMU, student ID# 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 call (703) 993-4GMU, Option 4. Fax: (703) 993-2492. Use Fax Payment Authorization form in back of Schedule of Classes. When to Pay See Payment Schedule on page 2 in the Schedule of Classes. for deadlines. Payments received at the Cash Office by 4:30p.m., Monday to Friday, will be considered as that day's business. Please use 4GMU, Option 4, to confirm receipt of payment and balance due on account. Allow ample time for processing payments. Semester Payment Plan A semester payment plan is available for students who need to budget a minimum of $500. A payment contract, available at the Cash Office, Student Accounts Office, or in the back of the Schedule of Classes., must be submitted to the Cash Office with the required down payment (one-half of contracted amount plus fee) by the due date. The contract fee is $25 and nonrefundable. Failure to pay the outstanding balance by the due date on the contract will result in a late fee, financial suspension, and ineligibility to defer payments in future terms. Monthly Installment Plan Students may budget all or part of their fall/spring tuition, room, and meal expenses in 10 equal monthly payments. Budgets are determined by the student and/or parent and must be a minimum of twice the fall semester balance due. A life insurance benefit is included in this plan. A minimum budget of $1,000 is required and an annual fee is charged. For complete information, call Academic Management Services, (800) 635-0120. Third-Party Payment Authorizations Students may receive an individual billing statement. Students must provide the third-party billing authorization or government training voucher to the Student Accounts Office, Enterprise Hall, fourth floor, or mail to MS 2E2, 4400University Dr., Fairfax, VA 22030-4444, or fax to (703)9932460 before the student's individual payment due date. (See Payment Schedule on page 2 in the Schedule of Classes.). The student's due date is based on the registration date(s). Third-party billing authorizations are accepted through the second week of each semester. Call (703) 993-2484 for a copy of the third-party billing requirements or check the web at registrar.gmu.edu/calendars.html. Late Fee Failure to make any payment on or before the due date results in a late fee of up to $50. Nonpayment Cancellation Fee Students whose classes are cancelled for nonpayment or insufficient payment of tuition are assessed a $25 fee. This fee is not removed upon re-registration. 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 will be charged, and financial suspension will result.
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, including the reinstatement fee, 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. 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 in collecting their delinquent accounts. ExpensesHousing George Mason University offers a variety of conveniently located housing options to meet the diverse needs of students living on campus. Upper-class students may choose from among living environments that include traditional-style residence halls, suites, apartments, and townhouses. The university requires freshman students to live in Presidents Park, a cluster of traditional-style residence halls. Housing costs range from $1,600 to $2,100 per semester. All new students to 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. To apply for housing, contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life in Carroll Hall, (703) 993-2720. 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. To obtain information regarding a contract release, contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life in Carroll Hall, (703) 993-2720. Dining Services George Mason Dining Services offers a variety of food options for students living on campus or commuting to all three George Mason campuses. The Dining Services locations at the Fairfax Campus include a traditional all-you-care-to-eat dining facility called Ciao Hall; a food court featuring national names such as Chick-Fil-A and Taco Bell Express; La Patisserie, a gourmet coffee shop; Mason's Market featuring comfort foods and low-fat ethnic cuisine in the Bistro; and convenience stores in the Johnson Center and Student Union Building I. Dining Services units are also located at the Arlington and Prince William Campuses. Meal plans for students living on campus range from $830 to $999 a semester. Students commuting to campus may choose from a variety of meal plans that range in price from $115 to $545 a semester. Faculty and staff meal plans are also available. For more information, call Dining Services at (703) 993-3407 or 993-2870. Dining Plan Changes New residents may change plans during the designated change period at the beginning of the semester. Current residents may change plans for the spring semester during the designated change period in November to ensure accurate billing. Changes also will be accepted during the designated period at the beginning of the spring semester. Financial AidOffice of Student Financial Aid The Office of Student Financial Aid provides a variety of services to help students finance their education. These services include financial counseling, referral and information resources, and financial assistance. Student financial assistance consists of grants and loans. Awards are based on financial need, although there are some alternative financial aid resources available for those who may not qualify for need-based financial aid. Located on the third floor of Enterprise Hall, the office is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Financial aid counselors are assigned to students alphabetically based on students' last names, and are available daily on an appointment basis. For information, call (703) 993-2353. 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. Transfer students beginning at Mason in the spring semester must have the school from which they are departing send a financial aid transcript to Mason's Office of Student Financial Aid. Financial aid for Summer Term is generally limited to
those students graduating at the end of the summer or fall
terms. Contact the Office of Student Financial Aid for
specifics regarding summer financial aid eligibility. The deadline
for the summer aid application is April 1.
All aid recipients are responsible for becoming familiar and complying with applicable federal/state laws, university regulations, the George Mason University student aid information resources, and the student aid satisfactory academic progress policy, available in the Office of Student Financial Aid. Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards for Financial Aid Federal legislation governing the administration of the 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, visit the student Financial Aid home pageon the World Wide Web (apollo.gmu.edu/finaid), or call the Direct On-Line Aid Resource System (DOLARS) at (703) 993-4GMU. The university administers federal, state, and other aid
programs as outlined below:
For more detailed information about these federal programs, refer to the Student Guide for Federal Financial Aid (available in the Office of Student Financial Aid), visit the student Financial Aid home page on the World Wide Web (apollo.gmu.edu/finaid),or call the Direct On-Line Aid Resource System (DOLARS) at (703) 993-4GMU. State Programs for Undergraduate Virginia Residents Eligibility for all state programs is based on the results received from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). State grant funds are limited, so adherence to the March 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 first-time freshmen 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. Virginia Transfer Grant Program The Virginia Transfer Grant Program awards grants to
other-race students who are enrolled in a traditionally white or
a historically black four-year Virginia public college or
university. Applicants must meet minimum merit criteria
and qualify for entry as a first-time transfer student.
Graduate Assistantships, Fellowships, and Scholarships Graduate funding exclusive of the federal financial aid programs identified earlier is administered by the individual graduate programs. Students interested in pursuing graduate assistantships, fellowships, or scholarships should contact their graduate 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 payment results in a late charge of $5 for each 30days 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 has 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. Please see Scholarship Programs in the ROTC section
of the "University Academic Programs and Resources" chapter.
George Mason University:1999-2000 University Catalog: Catalog Index: Tuition, Expenses, and Financial Aid | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||