Paying for Your Education (Winter 1819)

FUNDING YOUR EDUCATION Office of Student Financial Aid & Student Accounts Office

TEXT YOUR FINANCE QUESTIONS TO US!

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2. Text your finance questions related to financial aid and student accounts at Mason.

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

FINANCIAL AID • At this point you should have already submitted your FAFSA and received an award letter. If you have not done so you can complete your FAFSA at (www.fafsa.gov).

• Submit all additional financial aid forms or documentation, requested by the Office of Student Financial Aid, in order to be offered an award for the upcoming year.

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

IMPORTANT INFORMATION • You must reapply each year for financial aid.

• January 15th is our Priority Deadline. Students who complete their FAFSA and have turned in verification documents by this date will receive priority consideration for additional limited funds.

• Email is our primary means of communication. All requests for additional information or documentation will be made via email.

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

REVIEWING YOUR AID OFFER You may see three different types of aid on your award letter including: • Gift-Aid (Grants/Scholarships) • Self-Help Aid (Loans) • Federal Work-Study

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

GIFT-AID Free money - students do not pay back grants or scholarships.

Awards granted from federal and state governments, the college or university, or outside organizations.

For a list of outside scholarships visit: https://www2.gmu.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid/typesaid/scholarships/outside-scholarship-list

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

SELF-HELP AID (LOANS) •

Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans - FAFSA must be completed.

•

Parent PLUS Loan - Parents can apply for this loan each year (recommended date: after July 1 of each year) for dependent students. FAFSA must be completed.

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Private Student Loans - Loans borrowed through private lenders such as banks or other lending institutions. FAFSA does not need to be completed.

For more information visit: http://studentaid.ed.gov GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

FEDERAL WORK-STUDY • Students must qualify to be eligible to receive this award (need-based).

• The award allows them to apply for a Federal Work Study position.

• Bi-monthly paycheck.

• These funds are not directly applied towards the bill.

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

2 YEAR TRANSFER GRANT • Also known as the Community College Transfer Grant • Qualifying undergraduate students who complete their Associate’s Degree at a Virginia two-year public college and then transfer to a participating Virginia four-year college or university may be considered for the Transfer Grant award.

• This award will not appear on your account immediately and not apply to your bill at the start of each semester.

For a list of eligibility requirements please visit: https://www2.gmu.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid/types-aid/grants GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

NEXT STEPS •

If all of your requirements have been satisfied your financial aid (finish verification, complete your award acceptance process) will be applied as a pending credit to your student account.

•

At that point you can determine if you need additional funding, such as the Parent PLUS loan or an Alternative Private loan, to assist with any remaining balance.

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

TEXT YOUR FINANCE QUESTIONS TO US!

1.Text MasonPatriots (all one word) to 37607 once to join the thread.

To: 37607 Message:

MasonPatriots

2. Text your finance questions related to financial aid and student accounts at Mason.

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

STUDENT ACCOUNTS OFFICE •

Billing for Tuition, Fees, Housing and Meal Plans.

•

Third Party Billing (529 Plans, VA, Employers, etc.)

•

Process refunds based off of charges and aid received.

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

STUDENT ACCOUNTS

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

METHODS OF PAYMENT • Financial Aid (Incoming) • Payment Plans (Installment Plans) • In Person (Cash or Check) • Online on PatriotWeb • Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express.

• Electronic Check (Preferred Method)

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

AUTHORIZED USERS • For ease in submitting payments and staying up to date on financial information, students should set up their parents as authorized users in the Bill and Payment System.

• Authorized users will receive e-bill notices and be able to access student accounts, but are not able to view academic information.

Setup Instructions can be found on our website: http://studentaccounts.gmu.edu/wpcontent/uploads/AuthorizedUserSetup.pdf

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

PAYMENT PLANS •

Mason payment plans are available online only. We offer a 2, 3 or 4 payment installment plan for the Fall and Spring semesters. A 2 payment installment plan is offered in the Summer.

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The preferred payment method is the online/electronic check option, which does not charge a convenience fee.

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All payment plans require a $25 contract fee, which is nonrefundable.

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Please visit our website at http://studentaccounts.gmu.edu for deadline information and payment plan setup guides.

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Please note that credit card payments are available online only and require a 2.85% convenience fee.

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

BILL & PAYMENT SYSTEM

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

RECEIVING A REFUND • Direct Deposit (preferred and fastest) • Requires that you sign up and provide a blank check and checking account information.

• Bank Check • This is the default method used if you do not sign up for direct deposit.

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

WITHDRAWING FROM CLASSES • Tuition Liability – Semester Calendar • •

Add/Drop Period Important Dates

• Appeal Process – Full withdrawal during the semester.

•

Who/What/When/Where/Why and How?

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

FERPA (CONSENT TO RELEASE) • Students need to complete a FERPA form to allow the Office of Student Financial Aid or the Student Accounts Office to discuss their aid or billing information with their parents, guardians or other individuals.

• This authorization is required even if the parent’s information is listed on the FAFSA. • Please note, the student will have to submit the completed form either in person (would have to show Mason ID), or submit the form via their GMU email to regsite@gmu.edu.

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

OFFICE INFORMATION Office of Student Financial Aid • Hours: 9:00AM-5:00PM (Monday through Friday) • https://financialaid.gmu.edu • Email: finaid@gmu.edu

Student Accounts Office • Hours: Hours: 9:00AM-5:00PM (Monday through Friday) • http://studentsaccounts.gmu.edu • Email: student_accounts@gmu.edu *Both Offices are located in Student Union Building (SUB 1) on the Fairfax Campus.

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

AFTER THIS PRESENTATION, I HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE FINANCIAL AID, BILLING, AND PAYMENT PROCEDURES AT MASON. A.

Strongly agree

B.

Agree

C.

Neutral

D.

Disagree

E.

Strongly disagree

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MasonPatriots

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY