Questions about potential federal policy changes (President Washington)

February 10, 2025

Dear Fellow Patriots,  

I hope this message finds you well and that you are having a productive start to the semester. Over the past weeks, we have received several questions from both undergraduate and graduate students expressing concerns over shifts they believe may compromise their student status at George Mason University. As we manage the uncertainty of potential policy changes at the federal level, we’ve attempted to offer as much clarifying information as we can keeping in mind that the situation is fluid. In addition to addressing some of the questions you’ve asked below, we’ve also added additional George Mason resource information and contacts.

Most of your questions are specific to several recently issued executive orders that continue to be interpreted. In an effort to provide updated information, we have provided a link focused on Federal Compliance Updates that we will continue to revise as we receive clarifying information.

Patriots, George Mason is an incredibly rich and diverse community – a community where we thrive together. Our institutional values, core to who we are as a community, remain strong – “our students come first,” “we honor freedom of thought and expression,” “we act with integrity,” “diversity is our strength,” and “we thrive together.” In this time of uncertainty and change in our country, I hope you will stay focused on the strength of our community and resist personal attacks based on difference. Take advantage of all the educational opportunities you continue to have that focus on understanding key national and international contemporary issues and share and learn from the incredible life experiences and stories that are core to the George Mason experience.

 

Here are answers to some of your more commonly asked questions:

 

With the current changes in federal aid, will my federal Pell grant be taken away or decreased? 

The Department of Education has confirmed that the disbursement of Title IV Federal Financial Aid (Pell Grants, Loans, SEOG, Work Study) was not affected by the initial guidance offered in the Executive Order freezing federal grants. (You can view the announcement on the Federal Student Aid website.) The majority of federal funds have already been disbursed for the spring semester and there has not been a change in how George Mason processes federal aid. As aid is processed continually over the course of the semester, we continue to monitor news from the Department of Education and will notify the campus community should that change.

Specific questions about the status of your financial aid, billing or payments can be directed to the Mason Student Services Center.

 

I’m a research assistant working with a faculty member on a project funded by a federal grant. Will the research study I'm working on with a faculty member continue to be funded and will I continue to be paid as a research assistant? 

Currently, only a small fraction of federally sponsored projects have been impacted by the Executive Orders and changes in administration. We are working with leadership centrally and within the academic units to address the impacted projects. Federal Funding Updates can be found at the Office of Sponsored Programs website. Please check with your research advisor or research mentor if you believe your project may be impacted.

Additional Specific questions should be directed to Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact at research@gmu.edu.

 

Will student support and staffing that is offered to various underrepresented and/or at-risk student populations be eliminated?

All student support services at George Mason are available and remain the same.

Specific questions should be directed to University Life via email (gmuul@gmu.edu) or phone (703-993-8760).

 

If my employment status changed because of sudden job loss, what options do I have for emergency aid at George Mason?

Students can apply for emergency aid through StayMason Emergency Fund, StayMason Emergency Assistance

 

As an international student, if I travel outside of the country, will I be able to return?

Please refer to Spring 2025 Travel Information for international students. While the guidance remains the same, this is a fluid situation and during President Trump’s previous administration there were challenges with foreign students from some countries being able to return. 

Specific questions should be directed to International Programs and Services Office via email (oips@gmu.edu) or phone (703-993-2970).

 

What happens if ICE comes to campus or my residence hall or my classroom?

As of this message and at my request, George Mason police have proactively reached out to, and received guidance directly from, the office of the Virginia Secretary of Public Safety & Homeland Security as well as senior ICE officials, to confirm there are currently NO plans by ICE to conduct any immigration enforcement directed at students and staff on Virginia college campuses. If we receive updated information, we will update you.

If, however, you are on campus and are contacted by someone representing themselves as a federal law enforcement official, you can ask for official identification, agency affiliation, and a search warrant, and you can call the VP for University Life office during regular hours, 703-993-8760 or you can call University Police 24/7 at 703-993-2810 or through RAVE Guardian and officers will arrive to assist you and confer with university senior leadership. 

 

If I have an account on Mason 360, is my information publicly available for everyone to see?

If you are a Mason360 user, you can set your privacy settings and you can determine who can see your information.

 

As always, I encourage you to take advantage of the resources available to you should you need them:

Student Support

 

We will keep you updated on events throughout the spring as more information becomes available. In the meantime, stay focused on your semester and take good care of yourselves and each other.

 

Sincerely,

Gregory Washington

President