Admissions and Financial Aid

Mason extends deadline for admitted freshman student enrollment deposits

Melanie Balog — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 17:44:13 +0000

Mason extends deadline for admitted freshman student enrollment deposits Melanie Balog Wed, 02/21/2024 - 12:44

Update - May 17, 2024:

Due to this year's FAFSA delays, George Mason is continuing to accept freshman enrollment deposits.

Prospective students should reach out to the Office of Admissions at admissions@gmu.edu if they need additional time or assistance to make their college decision. Students who need help completing their FAFSA or understanding their financial aid package should contact the Mason Student Services Center or review Mason's FAFSA simplification page.

Original article - Feb. 21, 2024:

��AV is extending the deadline for admitted freshman students to submit an enrollment deposit and confirm their spot in the Class of 2028 from May 1 to May 15, 2024.

The decision follows the recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Education that institutions of higher learning would not begin receiving student financial aid information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) until mid-March. The delay has caused a ripple effect that has pushed back the formulation of financial aid packages that often determine which college students ultimately choose to attend. The delay was a result of extensive federal changes to FAFSA in an effort to simplify the student aid application process.

The Department of Education currently plans to start sending FAFSA data to schools in mid-March, with Mason planning to send aid notifications in the weeks after that.

"We’re very grateful to all the students who are considering joining the Mason family,” said David Burge, Mason’s vice president for enrollment management. “Like other universities in the region, we want to make sure that they have time to consider the offers they may get and make the best college decision for them and their families.”

The deadline extension is part of Mason’s commitment to providing an opportunity for a high-quality, affordable education. Sixty-six percent of Mason students receive financial aid and Mason’s loan default rate is 0.8 percent, which is significantly lower than the national default rate of 2.3 percent. Mason graduates are better positioned than others to pay off their educational investments.

Mason is also increasing its communication with those students who have applied for admission by notifying them when their FAFSA has been received by the university.

Mason hosted the first of three spring spotlight days for admitted students on Monday, Feb. 19 with nearly 300 students registered for the event. The annual Spring Preview, Mason’s largest admitted student open house, will be held on April 7.

Accepted students can still submit their deposit as soon they’re ready to do so.

Mason welcomed a record freshman class of more than 4,500 freshmen and roughly 11,000 new students overall last fall to become the first college or university in state history to enroll more than 40,000 students. A record 3,500 of the new freshmen hailed from the commonwealth.

Learn more at the Freshman Next Steps and the FAFSA Simplification pages.

Freshman Next Steps

FAFSA Simplification Updates

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Admissions and Financial Aid

FAFSA

Students

Alethia Shipman named director of financial aid

Lauren Reuscher — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 17:40:48 +0000

Alethia Shipman named director of financial aid Lauren Reuscher Fri, 07/14/2023 - 13:40

In This Story

David Burge, MSE

Alethia Shipman, director of Student Financial Aid. Photo provided

Alethia Shipman was recently appointed as director of student financial aid at ��AV. Shipman, who has been with Mason for more than a year serving as associate director of financial aid, assumes the position following the retirement of Sandy Tarbox.

“Alethia assumes this new role with a breadth of financial aid experience across a number of institutional types,” said David Burge, vice president for enrollment management. “She’s worked as a financial aid advisor, a certifying official, an analyst, and as an associate director at two different institutions. Words that consistently come up to describe her are thorough, approachable, knowledgeable, and full of positive energy.”

Previous roles provided Shipman with hands-on experiences throughout multiple layers of financial aid and afforded her the opportunity to use technical, analytical, and customer service skills in a leadership capacity, enhancing her approach to managing staff from diverse backgrounds. She plans to use her knowledge, passion, and expertise to make a difference in students’ lives.

“My favorite part of working with students is knowing that I played a part in reaching their goals by assisting them throughout their educational journey through counseling, mentoring, or educating them along the way,” Shipman said.

Those skills will undoubtedly assist the entire Office of Student Financial Aid as big changes are coming. In 2020, Congress passed legislation to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application while also adjusting the formula to determine who will qualify for aid and how much they will receive. As FAFSA alters focus from cash flow to a slightly greater emphasis on wealth, this shift translates into a fairer treatment across the board but could mean decreases in aid eligibility for middle- and high-income families.

Since these developments could result in fear or reluctance for applicants, Shipman knows that communication is key and plans to visit local high schools as well as hold workshops and open forums for students and families to help navigate the FAFSA changes.

“Because the changes can be overwhelming, it will be important to provide FAFSA workshops to assist with completing the application,” she said. “Having open forums for students and families to have all of their questions answered will have a positive impact.”

Beyond FAFSA, Shipman knows that repaying student loans is just as much of a priority for recent graduates as securing a job. She also knows that financial literacy education—understanding financial concepts such as interest rates, student loans, credit scores, budgeting, and how personal finances work—is the best way to help new and current students understand how to wisely manage their personal resources, especially when it comes to spending on their education.

“It is important to provide financial literacy resources to students,” she said, emphasizing the need to provide financial aid counseling to help students understand the options available to them.

Having a college degree increases job opportunities and career stability, and Shipman knows that financial aid plays a strong role in allowing students that opportunity. Moving forward in her new role, Shipman will no doubt have a big impact on the student population by providing outstanding student financial aid service and choice.

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Admissions and Financial Aid

Financial Aid

Faculty and Staff News

Celebrate Your High School Graduation

Ashleigh Sterling — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 15:23:30 +0000

Celebrate Your High School Graduation Ashleigh Sterling Wed, 04/26/2023 - 11:23

#Mason2027 Celebrate Your High School Graduation

We created some Mason-themed graduation decorations for you to download, print out, and take photos!

Share your grad party photos with our community by using #MasonBound and tagging us @MasonAdmissions to be featured on social media.

Mason Pennants

Mason Photo Props

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Admissions and Financial Aid

TouchNet Secure Data Center Maintenance

Aju Cherian — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 19:17:34 +0000

TouchNet Secure Data Center Maintenance Aju Cherian Thu, 08/11/2022 - 15:17

Our enrollment deposit site will be down on Friday, August 12th from 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. ET. During this time, you will not be able to submit a deposit to ��AV. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and ask you to visit us after this timeframe to remit your deposit. If you have any questions or problems, please call the Admissions Office during regular business hours, which are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, at 703-993-2000.

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Admissions and Financial Aid

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Report

Aju Cherian — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 18:38:44 +0000

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Report Aju Cherian Thu, 04/07/2022 - 14:38

April 8, 2022

To the Mason Community:

On May 18, 2021, ��AV received a $32,116,557 supplemental allocation of funding for student emergency grants under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) as authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) signed into law on March 11, 2021. This third round of funding is commonly referred to as “HEERF III”.

The Department of Education has established eligibility and prioritization requirements for students to receive grants from the HEERF programs. Recent updates to the eligibility guidelines have expanded the population of eligible students beyond those eligible for earlier rounds of HEERF awards. Mason estimates that up to 38,000 students are eligible to receive HEERF III grants based upon these expanded guidelines. Mason has the discretion to determine individual award amounts provided to eligible students.

For the HEERF III awards, Mason is continuing to use a multi-prong approach which includes proactive awards to students with existing FAFSA data in our Financial Aid system and application-based awards utilizing our existing Student Emergency Assistance grant process. Students were identified for proactive awards ranging from $500 - $1,350 with higher amounts awarded to students with the greatest need as indicated by estimated family contribution (EFC) as determined on the FAFSA. Application-based awards are provided to eligible students experiencing adverse financial impacts of the pandemic based on information provided in their applications. We anticipate that these funds will be fully disbursed during the 2021-2022 academic year.

The table below lists the award distributions made during the calendar quarter ended March 31, 2022, along with information on previous distributions for reference.

ARPA – HEERF III Awards

	Prior Quarters	1/1/2022- 3/31/2022	Grand Total
Total amount of HEERF grants distributed to students	$15,952,916	$15,037,370	$30,990,286
Number of students who received a HEERF grant (unduplicated)	14,414	12,448	15,840

Students experiencing on-going financial hardships are encouraged to apply for emergency assistance available from the HEERF funds, and can submit applications for assistance via Mason’s University Life website. The application is updated for each new semester.

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Admissions and Financial Aid

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Report

Aju Cherian — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 00:45:23 +0000

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Report Aju Cherian Mon, 01/10/2022 - 19:45

January 10, 2022

To the Mason Community:

The table below lists the award distributions made during the calendar quarter ended December 31, 2021, along with information on previous distributions for reference.

ARPA – HEERF III Awards

	Prior Quarters	10/1/2021– 12/31/2021	Grand Total
Total amount of HEERF grants distributed to students	$14,597,933	$1,354,983	$15,952,916
Total number of students who received a HEERF grant	13,161	1,253	14,414

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Admissions and Financial Aid

University Closed - December 18, 2021 - January 2, 2022

Aju Cherian — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 13:53:17 +0000

University Closed - December 18, 2021 - January 2, 2022 Aju Cherian Wed, 12/15/2021 - 08:53

The Office of Admissions and the Office of Student Financial Aid will be closing for the winter break on Friday, December 17. 2021 at 5:00 p.m. ET, and will reopen on Monday, January 3, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. ET. If you need assistance while our offices are closed, you can reach us virtually via our Admissions and Financial Aid webforms. Happy Holidays!

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Admissions Updates

Financial Aid

Admissions

Admissions and Financial Aid

Thanksgiving holiday

Aju Cherian — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 14:26:22 +0000

Thanksgiving holiday Aju Cherian Mon, 11/22/2021 - 09:26

Please note ��AV is closed for the Thanksgiving holiday from Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. ET until Monday, November 29, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. ET. We will respond to all questions and concerns when the University reopens on Monday, November 29, 2021. We wish you and your family a happy Thanksgiving!

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Admissions and Financial Aid

TouchNet Secure Data Center Maintenance

Aju Cherian — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 17:34:43 +0000

TouchNet Secure Data Center Maintenance Aju Cherian Thu, 10/14/2021 - 13:34

Our enrollment deposit site will be down on Friday, October 29th from 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. EST. During this time, you will not be able to submit a deposit to ��AV. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and ask you to visit us after this timeframe to remit your deposit. If you have any questions or problems, please call the Admissions Office during regular business hours, which are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST Monday through Friday, at 703-993-2000.

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Admissions and Financial Aid

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Report

Aju Cherian — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 18:05:37 +0000

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Report Aju Cherian Fri, 10/08/2021 - 14:05

To the Mason Community:

For the HEERF III awards, Mason is continuing to use a multi-prong approach which includes proactive awards to students with existing FAFSA data in our Financial Aid system and application-based awards utilizing our existing Student Emergency Assistance grant process. Students were identified for proactive awards based on a combination of factors including (but not limited to) estimated family contribution (EFC), unmet need, student level, and residency status. Application-based awards are provided to eligible students experiencing adverse financial impacts of the pandemic based on information provided in their applications. We anticipate that these funds will be fully disbursed during the 2021-2022 academic year.

The table below lists the award distributions made during the calendar quarter ended September 30, 2021. This was the first calendar quarter in which HEERF III awards were made.

ARPA – HEERF III Awards

	7/1/2021 – 9/30/2021
Total amount of HEERF grants distributed to students	$14,597,933
Total number of students who received a HEERF grant	13,159

Students experiencing on-going financial hardships are encouraged to apply for emergency assistance available from the HEERF funds, and can submit applications for assistance at: https://ulife.gmu.edu/student-emergency-assistance-funding-fall-2021/. The application is updated for each new semester.

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Admissions and Financial Aid