Category: Mason Family Flash

The hustle and bustle of the academic year leads to busy schedules for both families and students.  It is our hope, however, that you are enjoying quality time with your student during this winter break.  From all of us here at Orientation and Family Programs and Services, we wish both you and your student a fun-filled, restful, and relaxing vacation!  We are looking forward to serving you in the New Year and appreciate all of your support as a Mason Family.

Orientation and Family Programs and Services

On January 1, 2014 the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2014-2015 academic year will be available to complete online at www.FAFSA.gov.

Students, both returning and prospective, who wish to apply for financial aid will want to submit the FAFSA by George Mason University’s priority filing date of March 1.  It is never too early to start this process by having conversations with your student over winter break.  It is important for students and families to ensure they are completing the FAFSA accurately and on time.  See below for more information on the priority filing deadline and resources designed to guide students and families through the filing process.

What is a priority filing date?
The priority filing date is the day that the university begins processing FAFSA applications for the upcoming year.  Due to the increasing number of financial aid applicants at George Mason University, combined with a limited amount of state and institutional aid available, this is the date used to determine who will be considered eligible to receive such awards.  To ensure that your student is considered for these types of aid, please encourage them to submit their FAFSA prior to the March 1 deadline.

The FAFSA requests completed tax information.  What if my student has not yet not yet filed his or her taxes?
On the FAFSA application there is an option to choose “will file”.  Both students and families can put their estimated income information into the FAFSA to submit the application in a timely manner.  Each year, in order to meet the priority deadline, a number of our applicants choose this method to ensure that the FAFSA is submitted before this deadline.  Once your student has completed and filed taxes they will need to go online and make corrections by using the IRS Data Retrieval process within the FAFSA application to input the accurate tax information in order to ensure an accurate financial aid package based on actual income and data.

What if my student needs help completing the FAFSA?
There are many tools available to assist both students and families with completing the FAFSA. For example, on Mason’s Office of Student Financial Aid website (link to: financialaid.gmu.edu), there are videos with step-by-step instructions to assist with the process.  Also, you can visit the U. S. Department of Education’s website for more helpful information to assist your student when completing the FAFSA.

Heidi Granger
Director
Student Financial Aid

Winter break is right around the corner and many students are busy wrapping up the semester with final exams, papers, and projects. Because this week can be particularly demanding for students, we have provided you with three different ways to help your student manage stress during finals week.

Mason Recreation
Physical activity is a great way to reduce stress and Mason Recreation offers many different options for students. Encourage your student to visit recreation.gmu.edu for a full list of group fitness classes, aquatic, and fitness options available. With three different facilities on the Fairfax campus and the Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center on the Prince William campus, Mason Rec offers the variety to meet your student’s needs.

Wellbeing Exercises
The Center for Consciousness and Transformation offers several different programs focused on supporting the wellbeing of students and reducing stress. Events include meditation, yoga, and tai chi. Encourage your student to visit the Center for Consciousness and Transformation’s event website for more information.

Learning Services
During final exams, students oftentimes feel overwhelmed by their workload. Encourage your student to visit Mason’s Learning Services website to gather techniques on how to best manage their time and study most efficiently.

Cakes and Bakes by Mason Dining
What better way to show your student your support than by sending him or her a special treat? Mason Dining offers several different sweet treats that can be ordered online. Orders must be placed five days in advance, so check out dining.gmu.edu for more information and place your order today!

With all of the demands the end of the semester brings, students often struggle to manage stress levels. Please encourage your student to take advantage of these activities in order to relieve stress and power through the final weeks of the semester.

Rebecca Kurihine
Graduate Assistant
Orientation and Family Programs and Services

 

Winter break can be a hectic time as students cram for exams and arrange travel plans.  We have compiled resources to help both you and your student through the winter break planning process. For additional information, please contact the specific departments listed below.

Housing
Students living on campus must leave their residence no later than 24-hours after their last final or by Thursday, December 19, 2013 at noon, whichever comes first.  On-campus housing will reopen at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 17, 2014.  Your student will not be able to return to his or her residence hall before this date and time.

If your student is returning to the same housing space on campus for Spring 2014, he or she does not need to move any belongings or turn in room keys over the break.  However, all students should plan take all valuables with them over the break.  A checklist is available online to ensure that your student is prepared for winter break move-out.

Resident Advisors will also be in contact with students regarding winter break procedures.  Students who are approved for Agreement Release and who are not returning to the residence halls for Spring 2014 will be contacted via email with further details.

For additional information on winter break move-out, click here. 

Transportation
Mason Transportation will be offering affordable shuttles to Dulles airport and several cities across Virginia and the surrounding metropolitan areas for winter break.  Please visit shuttle.gmu.edu for more information regarding the shuttle schedules and reservation guidelines.  Mason Transportation can also be reached by calling 703.993.2828 for more information.

Other Resources
The University’s hours of operation will change during winter break.  If your student is staying in the area during any portion of the break and wants to continue using university resources, encourage him or her to check out the specific department’s adjusted hours online.  Please note that all University offices are closed December 21, 2013 – January 1, 2014.

Please click the services below for more information on hours of operation during winter break:

Dining Services
Health Services
Recreation and Fitness Centers
Libraries
Student Centers
Bookstore

Rebecca Kurihine
Graduate Assistant, Family Programs and Services
Orientation and Family Programs and Services