Frequently Asked Questions

Topics:

• Hours of Operation and Location
• Balance, Billing and Payment Information
• Refunds and Financial Aid
• Account Holds
• Tuition Liability Information
• Domicile and In State Residency
• Late Schedule Adjustments
• Enrollment over 16 credits (Undergraduate Students Only)

 

 

 

Hours of Operation and Location

What are your hours of operation and where are you located?

A: The Student Accounts Office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. We are located in Room 11 of the North Chesapeake Module.

 

Balance, Billing and Payment Information

What is my balance?

A: Balances may be verified via Patriot Web or the Bill and Payment System. For Patriot Web, navigate to the Account Detail for Term page in the Student Accounts section. Account Detail for Term provides semester charges, payments, and approved but pending future payments, such as Financial Aid or Third Party memos. The Bill and Payment System displays the current balance of the account as soon as you log in.

Will I receive a bill for my classes?

A: Paper bills are mailed approximately one month prior to the start of each semester. Reminder bills are not mailed for additional charges or schedule adjustments. Electronic bills are available for review in the Bill and Payment System. When these bills are created, an email is sent to the student's Mason email account and to any authorized users who are set up in the payment system. Failure to receive a reminder bill confirming your charges does not waive the requirement to make the payment prior to the due date.

How do I pay using my credit card?

A. Payments using MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card, and electronic checks (from personal checking accounts only) can be made using the Bill and Payment System up until 10:30 PM nightly on Patriot Web. Patriot Web is also unavailable Sundays between 7:00 AM and 11:15 AM (U.S. Eastern Time Zone) for maintenance.

I want to pay in person, where should I go?

A. In person payments are available at the Cash Office, 104 Student Union I, Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM. There is also a drop box (no cash payments accepted) outside the Cash Office. Payments may also be mailed to:

George Mason University
Cash Office, MS 2E1
4400 University Dr.
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444

What payment plans are available?

A. A monthly or two-payment installment plan is available, and details can be found on in Payment Information section of this web site.

How will I know if my semester payment plan was received?

A. Large volumes of payment plans are received, especially on the payment due date. Once the first payment has been made and verified, the contract information will be added to the account. To verify receipt, please check Patriot Web. When the contract is entered the $25 Semester Plan charge will appear on the Account Detail for Term page in the Student Accounts section. Please allow 24 hours for processing. During peak processing on payment due dates, late fees will not be assessed until the processing of all semester payment plans received is completed.

 

Refunds and Financial Aid

Do I need to submit a refund request for Financial Aid?

A. A refund request form is not needed for financial aid refunds. Overpayments from Financial Aid awards will automatically generate a refund check, which is mailed to the address on file with the University.

Can I use my Financial Aid to pay for my Mason Payment Plan?

A. When calculating your Mason Payment Plan budget, your financial aid award is only factored in when you are determining your balance due to GMU. It may not be used as the down payment.

When will I receive my refund for account credits from non-Financial Aid sources, such as overpayments?

A. After submitting a refund request, your refund will be processed within 7-10 business days. For more information, please review the refund policy.

Can funds be transferred from my student account to the bookstore?

A. Credit balances are not transferrable to the bookstore. Students can request a refund of the credit balance if they are not receiving Financial Aid, and the credit is due from an overpayment.

 

Account Holds

Can you release library and/or parking holds?

A. No, only the library and/or parking services can release their holds. We can only release student account holds.

 

Tuition Liability Information

Where can I find the tuition liability dates for classes that meet for less than the entire semester?

A. See the Registrar's Web Site regarding the liability information for non standard ‘part-of-term’ classes.

How does liability work?

A. The Academic Calendar in the Schedule of Classes lists the dates for the last day to drop with a 33% penalty and 67% penalty. If you drop with a 33% penalty, you will be receiving back 67% of the funds you paid. If you drop with a 67% penalty, you will be receiving back 33% of the funds you paid. The amount will show as a credit balance on your account and you can request a refund by completing the refund request form.

 

Domicile and In State Residency

My tuition shows that I am being charged the out-of-state rate but I should be in-state. How can this be adjusted?

A. You must contact the Domicile office with questions regarding your domicile status. You may visit their web site or contact them at 703-993-2464.

 

Late Schedule Adjustments

I have a late schedule adjustment that needs to be signed by the Student Accounts Office. What is the process?

A. The late schedule adjustment form must be sent to our office in person or by fax. We will inform you of the pre-payment amount, which is required for all late schedule adjustments. Please keep in mind the amount of the pre-payment is an ESTIMATE. It will be your responsibility to ensure that all charges are paid by checking your account on Patriot Web after the class registration is complete. If additional fees are due, it is the student’s responsibility to make the payment or incur additional penalties.

 

Enrollment over 16 credits (Undergraduate Students Only)

What is the rate if I am enrolled for more than 16 credits?

A. If you are enrolled as a full time student with 12-16 credit hours, you are charged the same tuition rate. However, if you exceed 16 credits, the tuition for the extra credits are assessed at the rate per credit hour. The current rates are available in our Tuition & Fees section.