Tuition, Expenses, and Financial Aid
Tuition and Fees
General Guidelines and Student Responsibilities
- By registering for classes, students accept responsibility for charges for the
entire semester.
- Registration shall not be completed unless all outstanding balances due the university
are paid in full.
- Refer to the Payment Schedule and Tuition Liability charts on page 2 in the Schedule
of Classes for payment due dates and penalties.
- Payments are due at the Cash Office on or before due dates, regardless of postmark
if mailed.
- Failure to receive a reminder bill confirming your charges does not waive the
requirement for payment when due. The 4GMU telephone system (option 4) will confirm
student tuition/fee charges.
- The student is responsible for maintaining a current billing address at the Registrar's
Office.
- The entire student registration is canceled if payment or payment arrangements
are not made in full by the due date (see table in the Schedule of Classes). A $25
cancellation fee is assessed.
- Non-returning students are responsible for submitting a written withdrawal to
the offices of the Registrar, Campus Living, and Student Financial Aid. Penalties
may apply.
- Student 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 institutions. Students enrolling for such credits assume all financial responsibility
directly with the other institution.
Tuition and Related Fees
Tuition and Fees per Semester
Subject to Change. For current tuition charges, call (703) 993-1000. Choose
the Student Accounts option.
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In-state
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Out-of-State
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| Full-time (12-17 credits) |
$2,172
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$6,252
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| Per credit |
$181
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$521
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| Related Fees |
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| Application Fee: $30 |
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| New Student Fee: $75 |
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Health Insurance Fee
for International Students: |
to be determined
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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.
International Students Health Insurance
Health insurance is required for all F-1 and J-1 visa holders. Health insurance fees
are 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.
New Student Fees
Newly admitted undergraduate students are assessed a New Student Fee.
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
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| hour lesson (2 or 3 credits) |
$329.00
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For a nonmajor: |
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| half-hour lesson (1 credit) |
$182.00
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| hour lesson (2 credits) |
$364.00
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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 class. See the Tuition Liability chart on page 2 of 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 Student Accounts. Questions should be addressed to (703) 993-2484. A check from
the state treasurer's office in Richmond is mailed to the student. Credit cards are
not credited.
Payment Methods
Payments received at the Cash Office by 4:30 p.m. on any business day 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.
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.
Drop Box: Outside Cash Office, Student Union I, Room 104
U.S. Mail: George Mason University, Cash Office, MS 2E1, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax,
VA 22030-4444
HOW TO PAY
Cash: At window only
Check: Payable to GMU, student ID# 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 call (703) 993-4GMU, Option 4.
Fax: Use Fax Payment Authorization form in Schedule of Classes.
WHEN
See Payment Schedule on page 2 in the Schedule of Classes for deadlines.
Payment Plan Options
Semester Payment Plan
A semester payment plan is available for students who need to budget a minimum of
$500. A payment agreement, available in the Cash Office, Student Accounts, or in
the Schedule of Classes, must be submitted to the Cash Office with a down payment
(one-half of contract amount plus fee) by the due date. The contract fee is $25 and
is nonrefundable. Failure to pay the outstanding balance by the due date on the contract
will result in a late fee, financial suspension, and ineligibility to defer payments
in future terms.
Monthly Installment Plan
Full-time students may budget all or part of their fall/spring tuition, room, and
board expenses in 10 equal monthly installments. The budget must be equal to double
the fall semester balance due. A life benefit insurance plan is included. A minimum
budget is required, and an annual fee is charged. For information, call Academic
Management Services, (800) 556-6684.
Third-Party Payment Authorizations
Students must provide the third-party authorization or government training voucher
to the Student Accounts Office, fourth floor, Enterprise Hall, before the student's
individual due date. The student's due date is based on the registration date, and
authorizations are accepted through the second week of each semester. Call (703)
993-2484 for a copy of third-party billing requirements.
Financial Penalties
Penalty Fees (for in-state and out-of-state students)
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.
Housing and Dining Services
Release from the Housing and Dining Service Agree
Refunds are given only after an approved release per the outlined guidelines, available
in the Campus Living Services Office, has been obtained.
Housing Refund Policy
Refunds of housing prepayments and room charges are made according to the following
schedule:
- The $200 prepayment: Each year students are required to remit a prepayment before
being allowed to select a room assignment. This fee is due at the time of application
for the following academic year and is applied to the spring semester's housing charge.
Students applying for spring semester may remit their deposits beginning October
1. This is a nonrefundable fee.
- Housing charges are refundable with an approved housing release as follows:
- Released during the first week of classes¬full refund less the prepayment
- Released during the second week of classes¬ a refund equal to 66.7 percent
of the housing charges and the prepayment is forfeited
- Released during the third week of classes¬a refund equal to 33.3 percent
of the housing charges and the prepayment is forfeited
- Beginning the first day of the fourth week of classes¬no refunds are
given and the prepayment is forfeited.
Dining Plan Change and Refund Policy
New residents may change food plans during the designated change period at the beginning
of the semester. Current residents may change plans for the spring semester during
the designated change period shortly before Thanksgiving.
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 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,
Enterprise Hall, Room 416, (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.
Motor Vehicle Registration Fees
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. Parking Services is in Student Union I. For decal sales
and fine payments, come to Room 201A, Main Lobby, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.
to 7 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. to noon. For special requests or problems, come to
Room 354, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For information, call (703)
993-2710.
Financial Aid
The 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 and loans. 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. Temporarily located on the third floor of Enterprise Hall, 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, call (703) 993-2353.
To apply for financial aid, each year new and currently enrolled students must complete
a
Financial aid for Summer Term is generally limited to those students graduating at
the end of the summer or fall terms. 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
- be enrolled in an eligible degree or the TEAC certificate program for at least
6 credits in any given semester;
- be maintaining 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/state laws, university regulations, the George Mason University student aid
information resources, and the student aid satisfactory academic progress policy,
available in the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards for Financial
Aid
Federal legislation governing the administration of the Federal Pell Grant, the
Federal Perkins Loan, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG),
Federal Work-Study (FWS), the Federal Direct Stafford Loans, and the Federal PLUS
Loan programs requires that colleges and universities 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 on the World Wide Web (http://www.gmu.edu), or
call the Direct On-Line Aid Resource System (DOLARS) at (703) 993-4GMU.
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 on the World Wide Web (http://www.gmu.edu),
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 Assitance 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 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 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 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 Memerial 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
Three-year and two-year ROTC scholarships are available to freshman and sophomore
students in all majors on a competitive basis. Scholarship applications from current
students are due in March. To apply, a student must have a minimum 2.500 cumulative
GPA, be a U.S. citizen when contracting, and be under age 25 when graduating, unless
an active duty veteran.
Scholarship awards are for either $5,000; $8,000; or a maximum of $12,000 toward
tuition, fees, and books per year. In addition, a stipend of $150/month is provided
during the school year ($1,500 maximum); all tax free.
Scholarship applications from current students are due in March for the following
fall semester, if awarded. A student does not have to be enrolled in ROTC to apply,
and there is no service obligation when applying. Other eligibility criteria do
apply and students must maintain some academic standards if on a scholarship. Contact
the ROTC director for more information, (703) 993-2706.
High school students may apply for four-year scholarships, but they must apply by
December 1 of their senior year for a scholarship that would begin fall semester
of the freshman year.
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