If you are ineligible to complete the federal FAFSA form, you may be able to receive aid by completing the VASA.
The Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) Application will enhance college affordability for even more undergraduate students who call Virginia home.
The VASA application is designed to calculate students’ Student Aid Index (SAI) which is then used to determine eligibility for state need-based financial assistance. This new state financial aid application is a free and safe way for students to pursue financial assistance for postsecondary education.
George Mason's official VASA priority filing deadline for the 2025-26 and the 2026-2027 aid years is March 1 for freshman students and March 15 for transfer students.
Please note: The VASA application determines eligibility for Virginia need-based financial assistance and does not qualify students for federal aid. Students who are eligible to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are strongly urged to complete it to qualify for federal and state need-based aid. The VASA application should only be completed by Virginia residents who are ineligible for FAFSA funding.
Male VASA filers must still meet U.S. Selective Service requirements to be eligible for state grants. If you have not registered, please register for Selective Service through the Selective Service System.
Correcting a VASA Application That Has Been Submitted and is in "Satisfied" Status
- Log into your account.
- Select “Review and Update” under the appropriate "Satisfied" application
- Select “Edit Completed Form.”
- In the left column, go to the appropriate section of the application and make your updates.
- After making your updates, complete the entire e-signature process again for both the student and parent, if applicable. The application will not be successfully completed until all required e-signatures are submitted.
Important: Please review your application thoroughly before making changes. Each revision creates a new application transaction and requires the student and parent, if applicable, to complete the e-signature process again. If your application is not in a “Satisfied” status, email tuitionequity@schev.edu for assistance.
For questions about eligibility or completing the application, please contact our Office of Student Financial Aid at (703) 993-2000 or through our webform
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.