Financial Aid and Scholarships

George Mason awards millions of dollars in scholarships to incoming freshmen every year. These awards not only recognize strong academic talent and achievement, but also special talents and other personal characteristics, without regard to an applicant’s financial need.

All freshman applicants who apply by November 1 (the Early Action application deadline) will automatically be considered for merit-based scholarships through the Office of Admissions and the Scholarship Committee. Students who apply Early Action are notified of their admissions decisions by mid-December, and the Scholarship Committee notifies students if they were awarded a scholarship no later than February.

The University Scholars are selected from among the most outstanding students invited to the Honors College. This award is the highest academic distinction that George Mason offers to undergraduate students and is given annually to top high school seniors admitted to the university. Each year the University Scholars Program enrolls approximately 20 new first-year students, each of whom receives a scholarship covering the full cost of tuition over four years. Students receiving this award have exemplary records of academic achievement, and they have demonstrated intellectual vision and creativity, the potential to solve problems and overcome obstacles, and a commitment to meaningfully contributing to their communities.

Applications must be submitted by November 1 to receive priority consideration for the scholarship. Prospective freshmen should check the appropriate box for "University Scholar" on their applications. For more information, please visit the University Scholars website.

If you’re interested in applying for financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year and submit it to George Mason by the deadline. It’s best to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after it becomes available each year because some fund types are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

This year’s FAFSA will be delayed until December, and the deadline for submission to George Mason will be February 15 for new freshmen and returning George Mason students; March 1 for new transfer students. Full information is on George Mason’s Financial Aid website.

Alice Watts worked at George Mason University for more than 25 years in a variety of capacities in the arts. Most recently, she served as the College of Visual and Performing Arts' Coordinator for Undergraduate Programs and Advising. In honor of her years of service, her dedication and the impactful contribution she made to our students and the university,  we created the Alice L. Watts Memorial Scholarship in her memory.

This scholarship will be awarded each spring to an undergraduate CVPA major who is committed to building community within the college and the university.

Selection of recipients is determined by the College of Visual and Performing Arts and is based on the completed university application and the audition/portfolio review required for acceptance to the major.

Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts is a collaborative effort between the City of Fairfax, George Mason University and Spotlight.  The mission is focused on enhancing awareness of the cultural arts opportunities available in the Fairfax area and providing scholarships to students in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Fairfax County Spotlight on the Arts offers the following endowed scholarships:

Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts – BP Endowed Scholarship in the Arts

A one-time award of $1,500 for a graduating senior from a public or private high school or home-schooled program in Fairfax County or the City of Fairfax.

Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts – Apple Federal Credit Union Endowed Scholarship in the Arts

A one-time award of $1,500 for a graduating senior from a school system serviced by Apple FCU (see www.applefcu.org for list).

Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts Scholarship – Ruth Haycock Endowed Scholarship in Piano

A one-time award of $1,000 for a graduating senior from a public or private high school or home-schooled program in Fairfax County or the City of Fairfax.

Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts Scholarship in Music for the Mason Community Arts Academy

A one-time award of $1,000.

Applications are now being accepted for the Victoria N. Salmon Award for distribution in the Fall 2023 term. The application is open until March 1, 2023.

This scholarship is awarded each academic year to a currently registered CVPA graduate student in one of the College’s graduate programs at the Master’s, MFA, or doctoral levels. The recipient of the Victoria N. Salmon Outstanding Graduate Student Award demonstrates thoughtful, artistic reflection while creating high quality work in the arts. The selected graduate student is one whose work advances scholarship in their own discipline and at the same time enhances the understanding of the arts in general.

The award offers up to $5,000 in tuition assistance and may be disbursed over two consecutive semesters. The application for this award opens each Spring semester for tuition assistance beginning the following Fall semester.

Successful applicants must meet the following criteria for consideration:

• Have completed at least 50% of their coursework for the degree at the time of application;
• Have earned an overall 3.5 (or better) GPA in coursework;
• Will be enrolled in the fall award term (Fall 2023) semester but will not be a full-time GTA;
• Will have completed the CVPA 600 Graduate Proseminar Course by the fall award term (Fall 2023).

Required Application Materials:

• Completed application form.
• 500-word essay describing the applicant’s interests, accomplishments, and future plans within their field
• Name of the student’s selected recommender (graduate program director or faculty member) who will submit a letter and/or statement of recommendation on the student’s behalf. This statement will be fulfilled via a link sent by the Office of Student Affairs to the student’s named faculty member/program director.
• Submission deadline: March 1, 2023. Essays (PDF) must be submitted to the CVPA Student Affairs.

For further information about this scholarship, please contact CVPA Student Affairs.

Each year, College of Visual and Performing Arts programs award scholarships to applicants who demonstrate exceptional talent. In addition to the scholarships awarded in the sections above, some scholarships are offered by individual major. For further inquiries, please email the School of Art or call 703-993-8898.

Visit School of Art

All applicants to the Arts Management Program at George Mason are considered for scholarships based on the merit of their academic history and professional promise. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, however to receive priority consideration for scholarships and funding, applications must be submitted by February 15 (Fall) and October 1 (Spring).

There are many different resources for students to use when searching for additional scholarship opportunities. The Arts Management Program offers two individual annual scholarships, the Erin Gaffney Memorial and the Andy Bursten Memorial.

Beyond GI Bill assistance, there are additional education benefits and scholarships available for active military, veterans and their dependents. The Office of Military Services can assist veterans, active duty service members, guardsmen, reservists, and dependents in finding funding for their education at George Mason.

Planning on participating in the International Arts Management Study Abroad Course? Find out about funding your trip through George Mason Study Abroad.

See the Arts Management website for additional information.

Each year, College of Visual and Performing Arts programs award scholarships to applicants who demonstrate exceptional talent. In addition to the scholarships awarded in the sections above, some scholarships are offered by individual major.

Dance Talent Scholarships

Friends of Dance fund one to two scholarships each year, awarded to incoming freshmen who demonstrate outstanding talent at an audition. To renew the scholarship each year, recipients must maintain a 3.0 GPA, participate fully in all department performance activities and be a good university citizen. To be considered for an annual Dance Talent Scholarship, apply to the university by November 1 and audition on one of the dates listed on the School of Dance website.

Harriet Mattusch Special Recognition Award 

A scholarship funded by Dance Council Partnership is awarded by the Dance faculty to a full-time, continuing, undergraduate student who demonstrates consistent hard work and dedication to dance as an art form and who makes positive contributions to School of Dance activities.

Kevin Campbell Summer Scholarships 

Tuition grants to summer dance intensives were established in 1990 to offer dance majors enrichment opportunities that might not be otherwise available. Applicants must demonstrate a serious intent to pursue a personal objective through summer study, make contributions to the George Mason Dance Company through choreography, performance and service, and show a need for financial assistance. These awards have given dancers the opportunity to study in the intensives and workshops of Bates Dance Festival, Parsons Dance, Jacob's Pillow, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Alvin Ailey, Gallim Dance, LEVYdance, Complexions, Mark Morris Dance Center, Urban Bush Women Summer Institute, White Mountain Dance Festival, and the Joe Goode Workshop.

Visit School of Dance 

The Film at Mason awards scholarships annually to sophomore, junior/incoming transfer, and senior Film students. Pitch Prizes are awarded every semester to students creating capstone works.

Contact Film at Mason if you have questions or for more information about Film scholarships.

Visit Film and Video Studies scholarships.

Each year, College of Visual and Performing Arts programs award scholarships to applicants who demonstrate exceptional talent. 

In addition to the scholarships awarded in the sections above, some scholarships are offered by individual major. 

The Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music is committed to recognizing talent and potential through merit-based scholarship awards and the following two named awards:

• Monson Scholars Program
• Peterson Family Scholarship Endowment in the Vocal Arts

Find scholarships information at the Dewberry School of Music website.

Each year, College of Visual and Performing Arts programs award scholarships to applicants who demonstrate exceptional talent. 

In addition to the scholarships awarded in the sections above, some scholarships are offered by individual major.

• Friends of Theater Scholarships – $2500 (each, up to 10 students)
• Howard Vincent Kurtz Theater Endowed Scholarship – $1000
• The Mack and Paulette Miller Theater Scholarship Endowment – $1500
• The Brower “BC” Spransy Memorial Scholarship Endowment – $1000
• The Chris Parsons Memorial Scholarship – $1000
• The Edward Jones Theater Scholarship – $1000

Visit School of Theater for more information on the above scholarships.