2009-2010 University Catalog 
  
2009-2010 University Catalog

Tuition, Expenses, and Financial Aid


 

North Chesapeake Module, Room 11
4400 University Drive, MS 2E2
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: 703-993-2484
Fax: 703-993-2490

Tuition and Fees

^TOP

General Guidelines

  • Students are responsible for maintaining current addresses via Patriot Web (patriotweb.gmu.edu) and activating and checking their George Mason University e-mail accounts to receive official university communications.
     
  • By registering for classes, students accept responsibility for the semester charges. Students are responsible for dropping, by the dates listed in the Academic Calendar, all classes (including waitlisted classes) they do not plan to complete. Students must follow the drop and withdrawal procedures published in the electronic Guide to Registration. Full or partial tuition liability may apply.
  • Refer to the Payment Schedule and the Academic Calendar on the Student Accounts Office web site for payment due dates and tuition penalties for dropping classes after the start of the semester.
     
  • Failure to receive a reminder bill confirming charges does not waive the requirement for payment when due. Balances may be verified and paid via Patriot Web (patriotweb.gmu.edu).
     
  • Payments are due in the Cash Office, Student Union Building I, Room 104, on or before 4:30 p.m. on due dates, regardless of postmark if mailed. Check and credit payments made on Patriot Web must be completed by 10:30 p.m. to be considered in that day’s business.
     
  • Students who have not completed the financial aid process must be prepared to pay for their courses by the tuition due date or a late payment fee will be charged. The amount of financial aid accepted and processed will be reflected in your 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 to the Financial Aid Office (South Chesapeake Module) for these funds to be considered in your balance. Federal work-study awards cannot be deducted from your balance. Financial aid recipients must also notify their financial aid counselor if they drop courses below the minimum required credits for their financial aid award.
     
  • Out-of-state students with pending domicile requests are responsible for payment at the out-of-state rate. Students who are later determined to be in-state can request reimbursement for the difference in tuition rates.
     
  • Payments not received by the due date will be assessed a late payment fee, which is 10 percent of the balance due up to $125.
     
  • Students who add their first class on the first day of the semester or after are assessed a $125 late registration fee. The fee does not apply to students already registered prior to the start of classes who make schedule adjustments. Waitlisted classes are not considered class registration.
     
  • Financial Good Standing: No Holds on Record – Financial good standing and a university record clear of holds are required for students to receive academic services. Services, including but not limited to transcript issuance, diploma release, and class registration (add, drop, withdrawal etc.) will not be provided to students with a financial balance due or a hold of any kind on their record. Holds are based on outstanding obligations and may be financial. Examples include unpaid telephone charges, fines owed from traffic or parking violations, incomplete immunization records, fines owed to the Mason or Washington Research Library Consortium libraries, and other administrative holds.
     
  • Nonreturning students are responsible for dropping courses for the semester and ensuring they do not have an outstanding balance on their account. Any documentation or intent made to the Admissions Office that you are not returning does not withdraw you from the registered courses. Please drop courses and check your account status via Patriot Web.
     
  • Students enrolling in Mason off-campus courses are assessed tuition and fees at the same rates as those for on-campus courses.
     
  • A few Mason degree programs include academic credits that students must earn at other academic institutions. Students enrolling for such credits assume all financial responsibility with the other institutions.

2009–10 Semester Tuition Charges (subject to change)

Approved tuition rates are available June 1. For more information, call Student Accounts at 703-993-2484 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) $3,756 N/A*
Per credit $313 $337
  Out-of-State Undergraduate Out-of-State Graduate
Full-time (12–16 credits) TBA N/A*
Per credit TBA $928

* Graduate students are charged by the credit.

Related Fees

These are applicable to all students and are subject to change:

Application Fee, Undergraduate $50
Application Fee, Graduate $70
Lab Fee $25
AVT Arts Bus Fee $55
AVT, SOM Course Fee (per credit) $20
VSITE, CVPA, SCS Course Fee (per credit) $10
Orientation/Undergraduate  
New Student Fee $160 (nonrefundable)
Graduate New Student Fee $60 (nonrefundable)
International Student Health Insurance Fee $1,366

Note: The new student fees are mandatory, nonrefundable, one-time fees. Fees are charged to the account of every newly admitted, degree-seeking student when registered for classes regardless of orientation attendance or enrollment status.

Payment Information

Payment Deadline

Payment is due the first day of the semester. Payments received at the Cash Office by 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday will be considered in that day’s business. Check and credit payments made on Patriot Web must be completed by 10:30 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.

Methods of Payment

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: Payments are accepted online through Patriot Web.

Delivery Methods

Web: Patriot Web, patriotweb.gmu.edu online checks, or credit cards

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. Postmarks are not considered proof-of-payment date.

Semester Payment Plan

The Mason semester payment plan is available for students who need to budget a minimum of $500 and wish to make two payments. 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 contract amount plus fee. The contract fee is $25 and nonrefundable. Failure to pay the outstanding balance will result in a financial hold, a late fee up to $125, and normal university collection activity. Failure to pay may prevent students from being eligible to use this contract in future semesters. Please refer to studentaccounts.gmu.edu for up-to-date payment plan options.

Third-Party Billing Authorizations

Students using a third-party billing authorization will be charged a $25 processing fee. Students must provide the third-party authorization or government training voucher to the Student Accounts Office, North Chesapeake Module, Room 11, or fax it to 703-993-2460 before the payment due 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 at studentaccounts.gmu.edu.

Penalties

A late registration fee of $125 is automatically assessed to students who add their first class for the semester on the first day of classes or after. It does not apply to students already enrolled prior to the start of classes who make schedule adjustments. Late registration fees are nonrefundable and will not be removed, regardless of enrollment status.

Failure to make any payment on or before the due date results in a late payment fee that is 10 percent of the balance due up to $125.

Registrations will not be canceled for nonpayment. Students must drop classes they do not plan to complete by the payment due date to avoid the late payment fee on those classes.

Returned Checks

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 $125 may be charged and financial suspension will result.

Financial Good Standing; No Holds on Record

Financial good standing and a university record clear of holds are required for students to receive academic services. Services, including but not limited to transcript issuance, diploma release, and class registration (add, drop, withdrawal, etc.) will not be provided to students with a financial balance due or a hold of any kind on their record. Holds are based on outstanding obligations and may be financial. Examples include unpaid telephone charges, fines owed for traffic or parking violations, incomplete immunization records, fines owed to the Mason or Washington Research Library Consortium libraries, and other administrative holds.

Collections

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.

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, including drops to change from one section of a course to another section. For more information, see the tuition liability dates in the Academic Calendar.

Refund Policies

^TOP

Refund for Credit Balances

In cases where tuition liability is less than the payments on the student’s account, a refund of the overpayment may be requested. To initiate the refund process, a Refund Request form is completed and submitted to the Student Accounts Office.  Refund will be processed according to the method of payment received:

  • Cash payments are sent in the form of a check, without a waiting period.
  • Payments made by check require a five day waiting period. The waiting period may be waived if proof of check clearance is presented, such as a canceled check copy or bank statement showing the check cleared the account.
  • Credit card payments are credited back to the credit card that was most recently used for payment.

Refund checks are made payable to the student and are mailed to the permanent address listed in the student record. In person, check pick up is not available due to negotiable item security and the large number of checks processed.

Direct Deposit Refunds

The option to have check refunds sent electronically is available by submitting a Direct Deposit Authorization form, which can be found on the Student Accounts Office web site. A checking account is necessary for this refund option. Direct deposit refunds are not available for Parent PLUS loans.

Financial Aid Refunds

Credit balances from financial aid awards will automatically generate a refund check, which will be mailed to the address on file with the university or sent via direct deposit if authorized by the student. A refund request form is not needed for financial aid disbursement refunds.

Special Registration

Students not enrolled in a credit-bearing course, but whose academic department certifies that they are pursuing an activity related to Mason matriculation, can retain active status by having the Registrar’s Office process a registration for the Special Registration course (ZREG 200). A $45 fee is charged for this course, and students must pay this fee before the Registrar’s Office will process the registration. 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.

International Student Health Insurance

Health insurance is required for all F-1 and J-1 visa holders, and nonpayment may result in class cancellation. 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.

Music Instruction

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. Note that this fee is subject to change.

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 statutory 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/students/domicile.

Domicile Change

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/students/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. Also, 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.

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@gmu.edu.

Tuition Surcharge: 125 Percent of Degree

Undergraduate students who have established Virginia domicile and eligibility for in-state tuition will be subject to a surcharge if they exceed 125 percent of the credits required to complete a degree. The surcharge will be determined by the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia.

The following courses and credit hours shall be excluded in calculating the 125 percent credit threshold: remedial courses; transfer credits from another college or university that do not meet degree requirements for general education courses or the student’s chosen program of study; advanced placement or international baccalaureate credits that were obtained while in high school or another secondary school program; and dual enrollment, college-level credits obtained by the student prior to receiving a high school diploma.

Expenses

^TOP

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. Upper-class students may choose from traditional-style residence halls, suites, apartments, and townhouses. Most freshmen live in traditional-style residence hall rooms that accommodate two, three, and four students. Room rates are subject to approval on an annual basis by the Board of Visitors. Rates for the 2009–10 academic year have been approved.  Please refer to the Housing and Residence Life web site for rate information. 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. The web site provides extensive information about housing programs and services and includes floor plans for student rooms.

Students living on campus are required to sign an academic year contract. Releases from the contract are only granted when Housing and Residence Life determines that a significant unforseen hardship exists. For more information, contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life, located on the ground floor of Potomac Heights in the wing closest to the Aquatic and Fitness Center.

Dining Services

Mason Dining
Southside Dining Hall, First Floor
Phone: 703-993-3300
Web: dining.gmu.edu
 

Mason Dining provides a wide variety of dining options for the Mason community on the Fairfax, Arlington, and Prince William Campuses. The Fairfax Campus has food courts in SUB I and the Johnson Center that include Burger King, Chik-fil-A, Taco Bell Express, Sangam’s, Jazzman’s Cafe, Mein Bowl, and Damon’s Restaurant. In fall 2008, the Fairfax Campus opened Southside, a dining location with six stations offering fresh, healthy meals prepared by our chefs. Check our web site for information on dining options on the Arlington and Prince William Campuses and for a full listing of our options and service times.

For the 2009–10 academic year, a variety of meal-plan options are available for resident students, off-campus students, faculty, and staff. Check the web site for details.

Dining Plan Changes

Meal Plan Office
SUB II, Lower Level, Room 1013
Phone: 703-993-2870
Web: www2.gmu.edu/dpt/allunivcard/mealplans/index.html

Increases in meal plans may be made at any time; however, the last day to decrease mandatory meal plans coincides with the last day to add classes. Seniors with 90 credits 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.

Parking Services

Fairfax Campus, Sandy Creek Parking Office
Phone: 703-993-2710

Arlington Campus, 104 Original Office Building
Phone: 703-993-8146

Prince William Campus, 112 Occoquan Building Office
Phone: 703-993-4808

Web: parking.gmu.edu

Students who park their vehicles on university property must register them with Parking Services and pay a fee for a parking permit. Permits are available on an annual, semester, or summer basis. For permit sales, fine payments, special requests, or problems, go to any Parking Services Office.  Some services are available online at parking.gmu.edu. The Fairfax Campus Sandy Creek Parking Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday. For more information, read the Parking Policy section in the General Policies chapter of this catalog, or go to parking.gmu.edu for current information and rates.

Financial Aid

^TOP

Office of Student Financial Aid
South Chesapeake Module
E-mail: finaid@gmu.edu
Phone: 703-993-2353
Fax: 703-993-2350
Web: financialaid.gmu.edu

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 Student 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 through Friday. Financial aid counselors are assigned to students alphabetically based on students’ last names and are available daily by appointment.

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 is generally limited to students who have remaining Federal Pell Grant or federal loan eligibility. Contact the Office of Student Financial Aid for specifics regarding eligibility. The summer aid application is available online and in the office on April 1.

All students receiving financial aid must be enrolled in an eligible degree or 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); and 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. This policy is detailed in the glossary section of the home page of financialaid.gmu.edu and in the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Academic Progress Standards

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 detailed information, go to the Student Financial Aid home page at financialaid.gmu.edu or contact 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, which is available in the Office of Student Financial Aid, or go to the Student Financial Aid home page at financialaid.gmu.edu.
  • State programs for undergraduate Virginia residents: Eligibility for all state programs is based on 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 are renewable for up to four years.
  • 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 University Alumni Association established an emergency loan fund through which students may borrow up to $100 with repayment due within 30 days. The program is available to all students, with priority given 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 results 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.

TOP