University Catalog > Tuition, Expenses, and Financial Aid

Tuition, Expenses, and Financial Aid

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• Tuition and Fees
  • General Guidelines and Student Responsibilities
  • 2004-2005 Semester Tuition Charges
  • Related Fees
  • Penalties
  • Tuition Charges/Refunds for Dropped Courses
  • Special Registration Fee
  • Health Insurance Fee for International Students
  • Private Music Instruction Fee
  • Eligibility for In-State Tuition
  • Change of Domicile Classification
  • Payment Methods
  • Where to Pay
  • How to Pay
  • When to Pay
  • Payment Plan Options
  • Financial Penalties
  • Financial Suspension
  • Collection of Accounts
• Expenses
  • Housing
  • Dining Services
    • Dining Plan Changes
  • Motor Vehicle Registration Fee
• Financial Aid
  • Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards for Financial Aid
  • State Programs for Undergraduate Virginia Residents
  • Virginia Commonwealth Award
  • Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP)
  • Virginia College Scholarship Assistance Program (CSAP) Grant
  • Graduate Student Assistance
    • Graduate Assistantships, Fellowships, and Scholarships
  • Emergency Loan Programs
    • Mary E. Ferguson Emergency Loan Program
    • Doug Beaman Emergency Loan Program
    • Lisa Kenaga Memorial Student Emergency Loan Fund
    • ROTC Scholarships

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

1. Students are responsible for maintaining current addresses via Patriot Web (http://patriotweb.gmu.edu), and for activating and checking their George Mason e-mail accounts.

2. Registration shall not be considered completed unless all prior term outstanding balances due to the university are paid in full.

3. By registering for classes, students accept responsibility for charges for the entire semester.

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. Refer to the Payment Schedule and Academic Calendar in the Schedule of Classes for payment due dates and penalties.

5. The entire student's early registration may be cancelled if payment or payment arrangements are not made in full by the due date. A $25 cancellation fee is assessed.

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. Failure to receive a reminder bill confirming charges does not waive the requirement for payment when due. Patriot Web (http://patriotweb.gmu.edu) will confirm balance due.

8. Students are responsible for dropping unwanted courses (including waitlist courses) by the drop dates and using the drop/withdrawal procedures published in each term's Schedule of Classes. Full or partial tuition liability may apply.

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. 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.

11. Students enrolling in George Mason off-campus courses are assessed tuition and fees at the same rates as those for on-campus courses.

2004-2005 Semester Tuition Charges

(subject to change)

For approved tuition rates (available June 1st) call Student Accounts 703-993-2484 (option 4), or visit http://fiscal.gmu.edu/departments/student_accounts/tuition_fees.html.

Students are charged tuition rates according to their academic level. Graduate rates may vary. Contact the graduate program offices.

* Graduate students are charged by the credit hour.

Related Fees

(Applicable to all students)

Undergraduate and Graduate New Student Fees are mandatory, nonrefundable, one-time fees. Fees are charged to the account of every newly admitted, degree-seeking student regardless of orientation attendance or enrollment status. The fee helps to cover costs associated with Orientation and new student programs throughout the first semester.

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 last day to drop with full tuition refund. 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, available via the Student Accounts web site and Student Accounts Office, North Chesapeake Module, Room 11. Questions should be addressed to 703-993-2484. Check refunds payable to the student 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. Students pursuing a master's or doctor's degree have a requirement to maintain continuous enrollment. See under Graduate Policies 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. Failure to make this payment can result in cancellation of classes. For more information, see "Admission of International Students" 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 as follows:

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 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 the Virginia Domicile Guidelines. Copies of the Domicile Guidelines and other applicable state laws are available from http://registrar.gmu.edu/domicile and the Office of the Registrar.

Change of Domicile Classification

Domicile classification is determined at the time of a student's admission. Students must file an Application for In-State Rates Form in order to be considered for in-state status when they apply to the University.

New and currently enrolled students classified as out-of-state who believe that 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 http://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 and/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, please 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.

Please address all questions regarding in-state eligibility to Domicile Administration in the Registrar's Office in North Chesapeake Module, Room 8. Domicile Administration may also be contacted by telephone at (703) 993-2464 and e-mail at domicile@apollo.gmu.edu.

Payment Methods

Where to Pay

Web: Pariot Web (http://patriotweb.gmu.edu) 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, 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, Student Union I, Room 104

Check: Payable to GMU, 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 (http://patriotweb.gmu.edu).

Fax: 703-993-2492. Use Fax Payment Authorization form (http://studentaccounts.gmu.edu.html).

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. Visit Patriot Web (http://patriotweb.gmu.edu) 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. Study Abroad/Global Education and international student health insurance fee payments cannot be deferred. A payment contract, available via the Student Accounts web site, must be submitted to the Cash Office (SUB I, Room 104) with a down payment (1/2 of contract amount plus fee). The contract fee is $25 and is nonrefundable. Failure to pay outstanding balance will result in financial hold, a late fee (up to $50), normal George Mason collection activity, and may prevent you from being eligible to use this contract to defer payments in future semesters.

Monthly Installment Plan

Students may budget all or part of their fall and 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 a 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 Billing Authorizations

Students using a 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, North Chesapeake Module, Room 11, or fax to 703-993-2460 before the student's individual due date, which is based on their registration date. Students are ultimately responsible for any defaults in payments by the sponsoring agency. Call 703-993-2484 for a copy of third-party billing requirements or check the web (http://studentaccounts.gmu.html). Select "students," then "student accounts."

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 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

Web: www.gmu.edu/student/living/
Phone: 703-993-2720
Office of Housing and Residence Life
Modular Office on Buffalo Creek Court

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 or University Commons, traditional-style residence halls in quints, triples, and doubles. Housing costs for the 2004-2005 academic year will be approximately $2,900 to $6,200 per year. Housing rates are subject to change. 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. To obtain information regarding a contract release, contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life located in the Housing Module, on Buffalo Creek Court behind the Universtiy Commoms residence cluster.

Dining Services

Student Union Building II, Room 2014
Phone: 703-993-3300
Web: www.gmu.edu/univ_ctr/services/dining
Meal Plan Office
Student Union Building II, Lower Level, Room 1013
Phone: 703-993-2870
Web: www.gmu.edu/univserv/allunivcard/mealplans.htm

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, Student Union Building II; Union Station at Student Union Building I; and in the Johnson Center, several options including a food court featuring national names such as Charlie Chiang's, Chick-fil-A, and Taco Bell Express; La Patisserie, a gourmet coffee shop; cuisine in the Bistro; and convenience stores. Dining Services units are also located at the Arlington and Prince William Campuses.

For the 2004-2005 academic year, meal plans for students living on campus will range from approximately $1,900 to $2,700 per year (rates are subject to change). There are a variety of meal plan options for resident students, off-campus students, faculty, and staff.

Dining Plan Changes

Meal Plan Office
Student Union Building 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 or Liberty Square 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

Student Union Building II, Lower Level, Room 1014
Phone: 703-993-2710

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, come to Student Union II, Room 1014, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please see the Parking Policy under the General Policies Section of the catalog.

Financial Aid

Web: apollo.gmu.edu/finaid
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. 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 primarily on financial need, although there are some alternative resources available for those who may not qualify for need-based 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 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. The FAFSA can be filed on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov or be picked up 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 deadline for the summer aid application is April 1.

All students receiving financial aid must:

• Be enrolled in an eligible degree or the TEAC certificate program for at least 6 credits in any given semester
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the Office of Student Financial Aid, in accordance with federal guidelines (see below), and
• 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, 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 (apollo.gmu.edu/finaid) or available 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, visit the Student Financial Aid home page at apollo.gmu.edu/finaid or visit the Office of Student Financial Aid to obtain a copy of the policy.

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

Federal Programs

• 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
• Federal 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), or visit 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 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). State grant funds are limited, so adherence to the April 1^st priority filing date is critical.

Virginia Commonwealth Award

This program is open to undergraduate students who have demonstrated financial need, are enrolled at least halftime, 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

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 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 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 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.