Fee Waivers

All applicants to George Mason University are required to pay a non-refundable application fee to be considered for admission. To qualify for a fee waiver, please see the requirements below.

Eligibility Applicants who may be eligible for an application fee wavier should complete and submit all sections of the application. In the last section of the application, you will have the opportunity to answer eligibility questions or enter a fee wavier code. Once this information is provided, you can submit your application without being charged the application fee. 

If it is determined that you do do not meet the qualifications for an application fee waiver, you will be required to pay the non-refundable application fee before a decision can be made. Please contact the Office of Admissions if you have any questions.

Freshman

• Applicants who are eligible for ACT, NACAC, SAT, Free and Reduced Lunch Program (FRLP), or Fairfax College Partnership (FCPP).
  • Waiver forms must be signed by your college counselor.
• Applicants who are high school scholars and who have earned George Mason college credit through attendance at George Mason's Washington Scholar Programs: The Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC) or The Washington Youth Summit on the Environment (WYSE).
• Applicants who have participated in the Governor’s School at Innovation Park are eligible for a fee waiver.
  • Please note that it is ONLY for students at the Innovation Park Governor’s School, not other Governor’s Schools.
• Applicants who are members of the Early Identification Program (EIP).
• Applicants who are participants of the George Mason Dream Catchers program.

Transfer

• Applicants who are currently receiving a PELL or VASA award for the semester they are planning to attend George Mason.
  • Documentation showing awarded PELL or VASA information is required for eligibility review.
• Applicants who are high school scholars and who have earned George Mason college credit through attendance at George Mason's Washington Scholar Programs: The Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC) or The Washington Youth Summit on the Environment (WYSE).
• Applicants who have participated in the Governor’s School at Innovation Park are eligible for a fee waiver.
  • Please note that it is ONLY for students at the Innovation Park Governor’s School, not other Governor’s Schools.
• Applicants who are members of the Early Identification Program (EIP).
• Applicants who are participants of the George Mason Dream Catchers program.
• Applicants who are eligible for NACAC fee waiver. 

Graduate

• Applicants who are McNair Scholars.

Waivers for Those Affected by Regional Workforce Changes

Several colleges are providing application fee waivers for graduate programs to federal government, government contractor, and organization employees affected by recent changes in the regional workforce. 

Additional details on eligibility and how to inquire about these waivers are available on the college websites or through the directions listed below:

• College of Education and Human Development
  • Recently separated federal government employees are eligible for a graduate application fee waiver. For any inquiries regarding this or the admissions process, please contact CEHD at cehdooa@gmu.edu.
• College of Engineering and Computing
  • Recently separated federal government employees may be eligible for a graduate application fee waiver. For any inquiries regarding this or the admissions process, please contact CECGS at cecgrad@gmu.edu.
• College of Science
• College of Visual and Performing Arts
  • Recently separated federal government employees are eligible for a graduate application fee waiver. For any inquiries regarding this or the admissions process, please contact CVPA at gmuarts@gmu.edu.
• Costello College of Business
• Schar School of Policy and Government

George Mason Faculty and Staff

• George Mason University full and part-time faculty, administrative and professional faculty and classified staff, non-student wage employees, as well as Mercatus Campus affiliate employees qualify for a fee waiver.
  • A copy of your George Mason ID within the application will be requested for review. 

The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.