George Mason University (GMU) offers numerous scholarships to talented students. These awards help fund your education. The university provides scholarships for incoming freshmen, transfer students, and current students.
GMU groups scholarships into several main categories. These categories include Merit-Based Scholarships, Foundation Scholarships, and Departmental Scholarships. Merit scholarships recognize academic achievement. Foundation scholarships are funded by private donors.
Students find these awards through two primary methods. Incoming freshmen are automatically considered for merit awards with their admission application. Current students use the Mason Scholarship Application portal.
Types of George Mason Scholarships
George Mason University offers four primary categories of scholarships.
Mason Merit Scholarships
The Office of Admissions awards these to incoming freshmen and transfer students. Awards are based on academic talent and achievement. All freshman applicants who apply by the Early Action deadline (November 1) are automatically considered. A separate application is not needed for most of these awards. Awards can range from $1,000 to $20,000 annually. They are renewable with a minimum cumulative GPA, which is usually 2.75 or 3.0. The highest award is the University Scholars Award. This scholarship covers full tuition for four years.
Mason Foundation and Departmental Scholarships
These scholarships are funded by private donations. They are available to continuing students, admitted transfers, and graduate students. They often have specific criteria related to a student’s major. Examples include scholarships in the College of Science, Costello College of Business, or College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Criteria also include academic merit and financial need. Students use the Mason Scholarship Application portal to apply for these awards. The application is usually open during the spring semester for the next academic year.
Need-Based Grants and Scholarships
For these awards, applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) application is also an option. The priority deadline is typically March 1 to demonstrate financial need. Examples include three specific awards: the Federal Pell Grant, the Virginia Commonwealth Award, and the Mason Virginia Promise Grant. The Mason Virginia Promise Grant is a last-dollar award for eligible Virginia residents that covers any remaining tuition and fee gaps.
International Student Scholarships
International students are not eligible for U.S. federal aid. They can, however, receive merit-based scholarships. They can also apply for specific opportunities that do not require U.S. citizenship. This includes the George Mason Undergraduate International Scholarship, which provides up to $20,000 per year. Another option is the #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship, which covers up to 50% of tuition and requires a separate essay submission.
Other Scholarships
George Mason also offers other types of aid. These include ROTC scholarships, athletic scholarships, and specific awards for students in unique situations. These situations include being first-generation students, veterans, or students with a record of community service. List of Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students.
Program-Specific Examples:
- PhD Programs: Many full-time PhD programs (like those in the Schar School of Policy and Government) offer GRAs to admitted students that include a stipend and tuition remission.
- Master’s Programs: Funding is more common for PhD students, but some Master’s programs (like the Schar School) offer merit-based scholarships (e.g., Dean’s Fellow, Dean’s Merit) that are awarded based on your admission application
Scholarship Coverage
George Mason University awards millions of dollars in scholarships annually. The most prestigious award is the University Scholars Program. This program provides full tuition for four years. Other Mason Merit Scholarships offer varying award amounts to recognize academic talent. Departmental awards support students in specific fields of study, such as engineering, humanities, and visual arts.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility criteria depend on the specific scholarship. There are three main applicant groups: incoming freshmen, current/transfer students, and international students.
- Incoming Freshmen: Must apply for university admission by the Early Action deadline for merit-based consideration.
- Current & Transfer Students: Must have a minimum Mason cumulative GPA of 2.75 and be enrolled.
- International Students: GMU offers a limited number of merit scholarships for non-resident, degree-seeking students.
Application Process
To apply for scholarships, you must follow the correct procedure for your student type. Incoming freshmen are automatically considered for Mason Merit Scholarships by submitting their university admission application by the November 1 priority deadline. Current, transfer, and graduate students must complete the General Application on the Mason Scholarship Application portal (AcademicWorks). This system matches students to eligible scholarships. Some scholarships require supplemental materials, such as essays or resumes.
Also apply for Endowed Scholarships 2026.
Deadline
The most important deadline is November 1. This is the Early Action admission deadline. Students must apply by this date to receive priority consideration for merit-based scholarships. The application for current student scholarships typically opens in the spring semester with a deadline around May 31.
