Navigating Tuition Payments at George Mason University: A Comprehensive Guide

Paying for college is a significant undertaking. George Mason University offers various tuition payment options and policies to help students manage their financial responsibilities. This article provides a detailed overview of these options, important deadlines, and other essential financial information for students attending George Mason University.

Understanding Financial Responsibility

Before registering for classes each semester, all students must accept George Mason University's Student Financial Responsibility Agreement. This agreement outlines the financial terms and conditions associated with course registration, emphasizing the student's responsibility for understanding and meeting these obligations. Students need to be aware of deadlines for withdrawing from courses they do not intend to complete, as outlined in the Semester Calendar. Confirming withdrawals and class drops is crucial, as full or partial tuition liability may apply depending on when the action is taken. The Student Accounts Office website provides detailed Payment Schedules and Semester Calendars outlining payment due dates and tuition penalties for dropping classes after the semester begins.

Tuition and Fees: What You Need to Know

Approved tuition rates and fees become available on June 1st each year. It's important to note that many courses may require additional course fees or lab fees. All new degree-seeking students are required to pay a New Student Fee. This is a mandatory, nonrefundable, one-time charge assessed when a new student registers for classes, regardless of orientation attendance or future enrollment status. In addition, a Mandatory Student Fee is assessed based on credit enrollment to support ongoing student services and activities available to all students, whether they attend classes on campus or online.

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 registering for the Special Registration course (ZREG 200). A $45 fee is charged for this course, and students must pay this fee before registration is processed. Written approval from the student's 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. Active status is required for students 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.

Payment Options

George Mason University provides several convenient payment methods:

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Online Payments: Payments can be made online using Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover Card. A nonrefundable convenience fee is charged for credit/debit card payments.
Check: Checks should be made payable to George Mason University, with the student ID number written on the front. Third-party checks are not accepted. Payments can be mailed to a designated bank P.O. Box.
Payment Plans: Payment plans are available, with a $30 non-refundable contract fee charged each semester. This fee must be paid when the payment plan is agreed to within the Bill + Payment System.

Important Payment Policies and Deadlines

Payments are due by the payment deadline to be considered in that day's business. Bills are provided electronically approximately thirty (30) days prior to the semester start, to students and authorized payers. Students must check Patriot Web for their balance due, verify registration, and pay through the Bill + Payment system or at the Cashier's Office by the due date.

Students who have not completed the financial aid process must be prepared to pay for their courses by the payment due date, or they may be charged a late payment fee. The amount of financial aid accepted and processed will be reflected in the student's account balance. If the amount of aid awarded is less than the charges, the difference must be paid by the tuition due date. Federal work-study awards cannot be deducted from the 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. Class registrations or schedule adjustments after financial aid has disbursed may result in a balance due.

A late registration fee of $125 is automatically assessed to students who add their first class on the first day of the semester or after. It does not apply to students already enrolled prior to the start of the semester who make schedule adjustments. Wait-listed classes are not considered class registration.

Consequences of Non-Payment

Failure to meet financial obligations to the university can lead to several consequences. Students in noncompliance with payment deadlines as of the end of the semester may be required to submit a financial guarantee or prepayment prior to future registration. Per the Virginia Debt Collection Act (§2.2-4800 et seq.), all delinquent accounts with past due balances are assigned to authorized collection agencies.

Other collection procedures include account referral to credit reporting bureaus, private collection agencies, the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Taxation, and the Office of the Attorney General. Past due accounts are subject to garnishments, liens, and judgments and the withholding of money from tax refunds. In addition to late fees and interest, delinquent accounts will be assessed additional collection costs up to twenty-five percent of the past due balance, reasonable attorney fees, and other administrative costs.

Returned payments (checks, debit/credit card reversals) are subject to a $50 return item fee per Commonwealth of Virginia statute. Repeat returned payments may result in the restriction of the online payment option for future semesters. Payments for past due balances and/or to release holds for registration that are later returned unpaid by a financial institution may result in the immediate suspension of services and the cancellation of classes. Returned checks that create a balance will be sent a written or electronic notice, and a financial hold will be placed on the account until the balance is paid in full. Certified fund payments by cashier's check are required for immediate hold release.

Financial good standing and a university record clear of holds are required for students to receive services. Services, including but not limited to diploma release, class registration (add, drop, withdrawal, etc.), and/or housing and meal plans, will not be provided to students with a financial balance due or a hold of any kind on their record.

Tuition Insurance

Tuition Insurance is available to students and their families at a reduced rate through GradGuard. This insurance strengthens and broadens the scope of the existing refund policy by ensuring reimbursement for tuition, housing, and other payments if a student withdraws for any covered medical reason at any time during the semester. The deadline to purchase for each semester is the last day to drop with 100% tuition refund for full semester classes. The Tuition Protection Insurance Plan helps students and their families overcome the financial losses that may result from events which force students to withdraw from the semester due to a covered medical reason.

Refunds

Students should enroll in direct deposit for expedited refunds. Enrollment is completed in Patriot Web. Direct deposit refunds are sent electronically to the student's bank account. In cases where tuition charges are 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. Credit balances are also reviewed and refunds processed throughout the semester, regardless of refund request forms. Payments made by check require a ten-day waiting period. Credit balances from financial aid awards will automatically generate a refund, which will be sent via direct deposit if authorized by the student. A refund request form is not needed for financial aid disbursement refunds, except in cases of schedule adjustments after aid has been posted.

Domicile and Tuition Classification

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 the Code of Virginia and the domicile guidelines. Domicile classification is determined at the time of a student's admission. 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 University Registrar no later than the first day of classes for the semester in which in-state rates are sought.

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Students whose appeals are denied have the right to seek further review of their status by the Office of the University Registrar or the Domicile and Tuition Classification Appeals Committee. These requests must be filed in the manner articulated in denial letters. Forms are available from the Office of the University Registrar 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 of tuition at that rate. Students subsequently determined to be in-state may request reimbursement of overpayment from the Office of Student Accounts.

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.

Special Circumstances

Third-Party Payments: Students are responsible for any payment default by the sponsoring agency. Call 703-993-2000 for a copy of third-party billing requirements, or check online.
International Students: Health insurance is required for all F-1 and J-1 visa holders, and nonpayment may result in class cancellation. International students who fail to adhere to this policy are subject to class cancellation. Health insurance fees are deducted from all payments received by the University before funds are applied to tuition and other charges.
Non-Returning Students: Non-returning students are responsible for withdrawing from their courses for the semester and ensuring they do not have an outstanding balance on their account.

Additional Resources

For more information, students can contact the Student Accounts Office at 703-993-2000 or visit their website.

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