Information & Resources for New Mason Students
Transitioning into college life can feel scary but it doesn't have to be! We asked current Mason students what they remembered about their first semester. Many were nervous about making friends, doing well in class, and "fitting in." Below are resources we collected based on their feedback to help with your transition.
Things to Do Before Classes
Here are things you need to take care of before starting your semester at Mason:
Checklists and Required Actions
Financial Aid, Scholarships, & On-Campus Employment
We understand that financial aid, scholarship opportunities, and availability of on-campus employment are important to our students and their families. The information below will help access these resources.
Financial Aid InformationScholarship Availability
*Note - Many of the scholarships are available to students who have COMPLETED their first semester. Please read the scholarship details for specific requirements.
General Scholarships
- University-Wide Available Scholarships & Awards
- Media-Related Scholarships
- External Scholarship Opportunities
College-Specific Scholarships
- School of Business Scholarships
- College of Education and Human Development Scholarships
- College of Health and Human Services Scholarships
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences Scholarships
- College of Science Scholarships
- College of Visual and Performing Arts Scholarships
- Schar School of Policy and Government Scholarships
- School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution Scholarships
- School of Integrative Studies Scholarships
- Volgenau School of Engineering Scholarships
General Information
*Note - Use Handshake to find and apply for on-campus jobs and internships, see career fair details, and more! Create an account to get started
Federal Work Study
Retail On Campus (jobs not located on Handshake)
- Jobs at Chipotle (Johnson Center)
- Jobs at Panera Bread (Johnson Center)
- Jobs at the University Bookstore
Employment with University Groups
Mason Student Services Center
The Mason Student Services Center (MSSC) serves as the "one-stop-shop" to help students address questions about registration, financial aid, billing & payments, and academic records, while also providing other student services.
Where is MSSC Located?MSSC is currently offering remote services. MSSC is located on the Fairfax and Arlington campuses, visit the website for hours and locations.
- Course registration and schedule changes
- Assistance with re-enrollment to Mason after an absence
- Changes of major, minor or concentration
- Assistance in obtaining enrollment verification
- Cost of attendance and financing a degree information
- Assistance identifying outstanding requirements
- Collection of financial aid verification documents
- Statistics and explanation of financial aid awards
- Scholarship information
- Assistance navigating various methods of payment
- Explanation of charges and payments on student accounts
- Payment plan and refund information
Academic Records & Other Student Services
- Transcript requests
- Application checklist reviews
- Transfer credit tools
- Document collection
- Advisor and department locations and referrals
Residential Learning Communities
Learning Communities (RLCs) are designed to provide you with a supportive, educational, and exciting experience and to connect you with friends with shared passions and interests. With a variety of RLCs to choose from and teams of dedicated staff to create a positive and supportive experience for students, RLCs make it easier for you to connect with the Mason community!
Courses to Help with Your College Transition
UNIV courses were designed to help students transition into college. These courses will connect you to campus resources, nurture your professional growth & development, and provide you with academic tools to help you succeed.Mason360
Mason360 is a platform designed to help students:- Discover and join clubs and student organizations
- Find on-campus events
- Engage with other Patriots
- The Orientation event guide which includes:
- To-do checklists
- Connection to your Patriot Leader and orientation group
- Chat functionality to engage with others attending your orientations session
- Quick links to most-used student resources including:
- Quick IT Support
- Check-in to Mason Student Services Center
- Health, Safety, & Well-Being Resources
- Dining Hall Hours of Operation & Daily Menus
- Handshake Student Employment & Job Search Tool
- Free subscription to Burnalong, which gives access to hundreds of on-demand health and wellbeing videos, anytime, anywhere
- Download Mason360 App for Apple
- Download Mason360 App for Android
The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.