Thank you for your interest in the Stay Mason Student Support Fund.  The Spring 2024 application is now closed, and we are no longer accepting funding requests for spring semester 2024 due to lack of funding.

As we previously stated, the assistance through this process is not guaranteed and is subject to availability of funds. There is no guarantee that funding will be available for any given semester or term; and the University may discontinue funding at any time.

If you are experiencing a true unexpected emergency, you can email Stay Mason Student Support Fund at smfund@gmu.edu to meet with the Financial Well-Being team and discuss your financial options.

Applications for Summer 2024 emergency assistance, and updated criteria for funding, will be available through our website starting July 1, 2024, and continuing during summer term subject to the availability of funds.

Please keep in mind that this emergency assistance is NOT guaranteed funding, is not a substitute for federal financial aid, and is designed to provide temporary, short-term financial assistance to students who face an emergency or unexpected financial hardship. Emergency funding should be considered a last resort for students and should not be considered part of a student’s financial planning for the future.

More financial aid options can be found here:

  1. Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans: The Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans for undergraduate level students have a current interest rate of 5.50% fixed and 7.05% fixed for graduate level unsubsidized loans; and the suspension of interest and loan payments due to COVID-19 ended as of September 1, 2023.
  2. Parent Plus Loans: Dependent Undergraduate students can have a parent apply for a Parent Plus Loan. The current interest rate on these loans is 8.05% fixed. If a parent’s parent plus loan application is denied, a dependent student can request an additional unsubsidized loan by contacting the Office of Student Financial Aid.
  3. Graduate Plus Loans: Graduate students, who have already received the maximum unsubsidized loan, can apply for a Graduate Plus Loan with a 7.54% fixed interest rate. In addition, if you have already received one Graduate Plus Loan, you can apply for an increase to the loan up to the Cost of Attendance.
  4. Private Loans: Students who are not eligible for federal aid, or students who want to look at different interest rate options, can look into Private Loans which offer different terms as well.
  5. Prodigy Finance: Prodigy Finance is a private loan lender option for International, DACA, and Undocumented Masters students as it does not require a U.S. co-signer. However, interest rates are higher without a U.S. cosigner.
  6. MPower Financing: MPower Financing is a private loan lender option for International, DACA, and Undocumented students as it does not require a U.S. co-signer. However, interest rates are higher without a U.S. cosigner.
  7. Outside Scholarships: Students are encouraged to look for outside scholarships.
  8. Mason Schools/Colleges/Units: Some of Mason’s schools and colleges administer separate emergency assistance funds for their respective enrolled students which may have different criteria for funding consideration. Check with your particular school or college.
  9. Patriot Pantry: If you are enrolled at Mason, you can access the Patriot Pantry on campus to help with food and other personal items. If you have questions, please email Patriot Pantry at pantry@gmu.edu.

If you have questions, please contact Stay Mason Student Support Fund at smfund@gmu.edu.