New Student Resources

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
Learn Mason-Specific Words and Terms
Learn How to Use Patriot Web

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 Information

Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarship 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

College-Specific Scholarships

On-Campus Employment

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

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. On campus, MSSC is located on the first floor of Student Union Building (SUB) 1 on the Fairfax Campus.
Registration and Enrollment Services
  • 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
Financial Aid Services
  • 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
Billing & Payment Services
  • 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

Learning Communities (LCs)

Learning Communities (LCs) 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 LCs to choose from and teams of dedicated staff to create a positive and supportive experience for students, LCs 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
Why Should I Download the Mason360 App?
The Mason360 App takes you further! Noteworthy functions include:
  • 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
How Do I Download the Mason360 App?