Tuition, Expenses, & Financial Aid

• Tuition and Fees
  • General Guidelines and Student Responsibilities
  • Tuition and Required Fees
  • Payment Methods
  • Payment Plan Options
  • Financial Penalties
• Expenses
  • Housing
  • Dining Services
  • Motor Vehicle Registration Fee
• Financial Aid
• Office of Student Financial Aid
• Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards for Financial Aid
• Federal Programs
• State Programs for Undergraduate Virginia Residents
• Graduate Student Assistance
• Emergency Loan Programs
• ROTC Scholarships

Tuition and Fees

General Guidelines and Student Responsibilities

1. By registering for classes, students accept responsibility for charges for the entire semester.
2. Registration shall not be completed unless all outstanding balances due the university are paid in full.
3. Refer to the Payment Schedule and Academic Calendar in the Schedule of Classes for payment due dates and penalties.
4. Payments are due at the Cash Office (SUB I, Room 104) on or before 4:30 p.m. on due dates, regardless of postmark if mailed.
5. Failure to receive a reminder bill confirming charges does not waive the requirement for payment when due. The 4GMU telephone system (Option 4) will confirm balance due.
6. Students who have not completed the financial aid process must be prepared to pay for their courses by the tuition due date or their classes may be dropped for nonpayment. 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 Direct 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.
7. Students are responsible for maintaining current addresses through the Registrar's Office.
8. The entire student's registration is cancelled if payment or payment arrangements are not made in full by the due date. A $25 cancellation fee is assessed.
9. Non-returning 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.
10. Students enrolling in George Mason off-campus courses are assessed tuition and fees at the same rates as those for on-campus courses.
11. A few George Mason degree programs include academic credits that students must earn at other institutions. Students enrolling for such credits assume all financial responsibility directly with the other institutions.

Tuition and Required Fees

Tuition Charges Per Semester

Subject to change. For current tuition charges, call (703) 993-1000. Choose the Student Accounts option.

Students are charged tuition rates according to their classification.

	In-State Undergraduate	In-State* Graduate	Out of State*
Full-time (12-17 credits):	$1,884	$2,250	$6,306
Per credit (fewer than 12 hrs. or more than 17 hrs.):	$157.00	$187.50	$525.50

Related Fees (applicable to all students)

	In State	Out of State
Application Fee	$30	$30
Lab Fee	$15	$15
Orientation/New Student Fee	$100	$100
International Students Health Insurance Fee	N/A	TBA

* Graduate rates may vary. Please contact your graduate program.

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 the 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, North Chesapeake Module, Room 1A, (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 dates in the Acadmic Calendar in 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. Check refunds will come from the Virginia Department of Treasury in Richmond. Credit card refunds will be credited back to the originating credit cards.

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.

Orientation/New Student Fee

The Orientation/New Student Fee is a mandatory, non-refundable, one-time fee. It is charged to the account of every newly admitted, degree-seeking student, regardless of Orientation attendance and enrollment status. The fee helps to cover costs associated with Orientation and new student programs throughout the first semester.

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. Failure to make this payment can result in cancellation of classes. For more information, see also Additional Requirements for International Students in the Admission section.

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 music major or minor:

• half-hour lesson (1 credit) -- $164.50
• hour lesson (2 or 3 credits) -- $329.00

For a nonmajor:

• half-hour lesson (1 credit) -- $182.00
• hour lesson (2 credits) -- $364.00

Payment Methods

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 to Friday
• Drop Box: Outside Cash Office, Student Union I, Room104
• U.S. Mail: George Mason University, Cash Office,MS2E1, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444. Postmarks are not considered proof of payment date.

How to Pay

• Cash: At window only
• Check: Payable to GMU, student ID number written on front. Third-party checks are not accepted. Checks must be payable in U.S. dollars.
• Web: Check payments online at maria.gmu.edu/checkpay.
• 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 the 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 4:30 p.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.

Payment Plan Options

Semester Payment Plan

A semester payment plan is available for students who need to budget a minimum of $400. 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 of up to $50, financial suspension, and normal George Mason University collection activity (see page 13 of the Schedule of Classes), and may prevent the student from being eligible to use this contract and 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. Failure to make budget payments will result in cancelled budget, financial suspension, a late fee (up to $50), and normal George Mason University collection activity. 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, North Chesapeake Module, Room 13, or mail to MS 2E2, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax, VA 22030-4444, or fax to (703) 993-2460 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.

Financial Penalties

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.

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, 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.

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 in collecting their delinquent accounts.

Expenses

Housing

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 for the 2001-2002 academic year will range from $1,640 to $2,185 per semester. 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. For more information, see www. gmu.edu/students/living or contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life at (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 any of the 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 $850 to $1,160 a semester. Students commuting to campus may choose from a variety of meal plans that range from $119 to $440 a semester. Faculty and staff meal plans are also available.

For more information, call Dining Services at (703) 993-3300 or Meal Plan Office at (703) 993-2870.

Dining Plan Changes

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 or apartments 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

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 the lower level of Student Union II, Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For special requests or problems, come to Student Union II, Room 1014, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (703) 993-2710.

Financial Aid

Office 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, loans and work study. 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 in South Chesapeake Module, 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, visit our web page at http://apollo.gmu.edu/finaid or 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.

Financial aid for Summer Term is generally limited to those students graduating at the end of Summer Term or the fall semester. 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 students receiving financial aid must:

1. be enrolled in an eligible degree or the TEAC certificate program for at least six credits in any given semester;
2. be maintaining satisfactory academic progress as defined by the Office of Student Financial Aid, in accordance with federal guidelines (see below); and
3. be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen as defined by the U.S. Department of Education.

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, which is detailed in the glossary section of our home page or 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 pageat apollo.gmu.edu/finaid, call theDirect On-Line Aid Resource System (DOLARS) at (703)993-4GMU, or visit the Office of Student Financial Aid to obtain the copy of the policy.

The university administers federal, state, and other aid programs as outlined below:

Federal Programs

• Federal Perkins Loan Program
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant(FSEOG)
• Federal Work-Study (FWS)
• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
• Federal Direct Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (FPLUS)

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 at 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 Student Assistance

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.

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 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.

ROTC Scholarships

Please see Scholarship Programs in the ROTC section of the "University Academic Programs and Resources" chapter.