Question 1

Do I receive a diploma for minors?

Jenny · Accepted Answer

Minors will not appear on your Mason diploma but will appear on your official academic transcript.

Question 2

Order a Diploma Replacement

Jenny · Accepted Answer

The university offers alumni the opportunity to order a *replacement copy of their original George Mason diploma. The basic fee for an order mailed to an address in the U.S. is $127.50 per diploma. The cost for international destinations is $197.50. Diplomas will take 1-2 weeks to print after which they are mailed through FedEx Overnight Domestic or FedEx International Priority. All replacement orders must be made through Patriot Web or through Parchment. To order through Patriot Web, follow these steps:

Log in to Patriot Web (Please make sure that you allow pop-ups from this site).
Click the 'Student Services' tab.
Click 'Student Records.'
Click 'Order Replacement Diploma.'

If you do not have access to your Patriot Web account, you can order your replacement diploma through Parchment. Click on the image below:

Diploma Name

Your diploma name MUST reflect your name of record during the last term of attendance at George Mason. If your legal name has changed since you graduated and you wish to have it appear on your replacement diploma, you will need to first have it updated in the Mason record. This process is explained on the Change of Name page.

Degree Verification

If you are requesting a copy of your diploma for the purpose of degree verification, we recommend that you first make sure that some other document will not serve the purpose. Companies and government agencies are usually looking for official proof of graduation. An actual diploma is needed only in rare cases involving foreign governments. A verification or transcript can be obtained for less cost and in less time. Another option is to have a photocopy of your original diploma authenticated and notarized. For more information on that process, see the Certifications page. *All replacement diplomas will have the word "Reissued" printed in small type at the bottom. *Replacement diplomas will contain the signatures of the current University President, Rector of the Board of Visitors, University Registrar, and may (depending upon the year of graduation) contain the signature of the University Provost in lieu of the college or school's Dean.

Question 3

Ceremony Program Information

Accepted Answer

In order to have your name listed in the Winter Graduation and May Commencement programs, you must apply to graduate by the last day the graduation application is available on Patriot web for that semester. Summer graduates eligible to participate in the May Commencement must apply by the Spring application deadline to be included in the May Commencement program. The final list of names for the Graduation and Commencement Programs are compiled and released to the printer within days of the deadline. Exceptions will not be made. If you apply to graduate after the deadline, your name will not appear in the printed program. Students who have placed a confidential hold on their record will not be included in the printed Graduation or Commencement programs. Any student with a confidential hold wishing to have his/her name included in the program must remove the hold before the last day that the graduation application is available on Patriot Web. Please submit the Request to Prevent Disclosure of Student Information form to the Office of the University Registrar to remove the hold.

Question 4

Special Registration (ZREG 200)

Accepted Answer

[caption id="attachment_447" align="alignright" width="64"] form

Special Registration[/caption] Special Registration allows you to remain active in the Mason University System without being registered for a course. There is a $45 fee. The most common reason for needing a special registration is for students who must resolve an incomplete grade from a previous semester. Note to Graduate Students: This type of registration does not meet the continuous enrollment requirement for students working on a thesis or dissertation*. If you are working on a thesis or dissertation, you must enroll in at least one hour of 799 or 999 coursework. Your academic department can assist you with this process. Graduation candidates who miss the library deadline for thesis or dissertation submission, but do submit officially before the next semester begins, do not have to register for 799 or 999 in that semester, but may stay active through Special Registration.

Question 5

Withdraw Graduation Application

Accepted Answer

If you decide to delay your graduation to a future term, you must submit the Withdraw Graduation Application form to notify the Office of the University Registrar. You will not be able to register for classes in a future term until your graduation application is withdrawn. IMPORTANT: Once your graduation application has been withdrawn, you must log onto Patriot Web and submit a NEW graduation application for a future term. This action can only be initiated by you, the student. It will not be done by the staff members in the Office of the University Registrar, even though they may have assisted you with your withdrawal.

Question 6

University Honors and Honor Cords

Johanna Riemen · Accepted Answer

To signify that an undergraduate student graduating with Latin honors or with recognition from the university, honor cords are worn with academic regalia at the University Commencement in May and the Winter Graduation in December. The honors level (Cum laude, Magna cum laude, Summa cum laude and with Recognition) will also be reflected on the student's diploma and official transcript. Undergraduate students who qualify will be sent an email from the Office of the University Registrar informing them of their eligibility to purchase honor cords. Notification is sent approximately ten days prior to the event. Note: Spring 2020, Summer 2020, and Fall 2020 graduates were not emailed because the commencement ceremony was virtual. Graduated students should check their unofficial transcript through PatriotWeb to verify that they received honors.

Eligibility

University Honors and Honor Cords are for graduates from Bachelor's degree programs only.
Undergraduate students must have an active graduation application to be eligible to wear honor cords.

Eligibility to wear honor cords during the Spring Commencement and Winter Graduation is based on the following criteria:

Cumulative GPA at the end of the Spring Semester: An email is sent to students whose GPA at the time that the report is run (ten days prior to the event) would qualify them for honors. If a student qualifies based on grades posted after the report is run, Registrar's Office staff will verify eligibility and notify the Bookstore.
Minimum number of undergraduate credits earned at Mason. For the May Commencement, undergraduate Mason credits in progress for the Spring semester as well as registered Summer semester undergraduate Mason credits are included.* For the Winter Graduation, Fall semester undergraduate Mason credits in progress are included. Credits earned through CREDIT BY EXAM and ADVANCED PLACEMENT are not included.

GPA Range	Minimum Mason Undergraduate Credits	Honors Earned
3.50-4.00	60	Latin honors (Cum laude 3.50-3.69; Magna cum laude 3.70-3.89; Summa cum laude 3.90-4.00)
3.80-4.00	45	With Recognition

*If your honors status changes with the completion of currently enrolled courses, it will be reflected on your diploma and official transcripts. Please contact the Office of the University Registrar at 703-993-2000 or email degree@gmu.edu with any questions regarding eligibility to wear honor cords.

Purchasing Honor Cords

Honor cords will be available for purchase at the University Bookstore at an approximate cost of $20.00. All honors students will wear the same cord regardless of their honors level. Note: Eligible 2020 graduates can purchase honors cords at the bookstore. Honors cords are not available to purchase online and the bookstore cannot take credit card information over the phone.
You must have a photo ID to purchase your honor cords.

Question 7

Late Graduation Application

Tom Butler · Accepted Answer

Submit a Late Graduation Application only if all of these apply:

You are currently enrolled in your final semester,
You intend to graduate at the end of this semester, and
The online graduation application is no longer available.

Since you missed the online graduation application filing deadline, your degree may be awarded later than most of your classmates and receipt of your diploma may be delayed.

Instructions

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="64"]

Late Graduation Application[/caption] 1. Complete the Late Graduation Application.

Make sure that this form is completed fully and all required signatures are obtained before submitting to the Office of the University Registrar.

2. Verify Diploma Address.

To review the address, please go to the Diploma Mailing Address page and follow the instructions provided.
Failure to enter a diploma address will prevent you from receiving your diploma.

3. Verify Diploma Name

Go to the Student Records menu on Patriot Web.
Click on the Expected Date of Graduation. The name listed here is your diploma name. If you have a suffix as part of your name in your official student record (i.e., Jr. or III), it will not appear here but will appear on your diploma.
If the name listed is incorrect, call the Office of the University Registrar at 703-993-2000.

Question 8

VA Benefits - Additional Resources

Accepted Answer

GI Bill GI Bill Overpayments and Debts Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) Mason Yellow Ribbon Program Apply for Veteran Benefits VA Pamphlets & Forms Payment Rates Buffalo Office Processing Times VA W.A.V.E. (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment) Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (Chapter 31) Chapter 31 Subsistence Allowance Rates Vocational Education Counseling Chapter 35 Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA) Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program Debt Management Center Transfer Post-9/11 Benefits Contact the VA

Question 9

VA Benefits - Yellow Ribbon Program

Accepted Answer

Mason Participation

Beginning Fall 2012, all out-of-state undergraduate, graduate, and law students with 100% Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) benefits can participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program at Mason with the exception of active duty members and their spouses. The VA has determined that active duty members and their spouses are not eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program. An unlimited number of eligible students will receive a maximum of $10,000 per academic year ($5000 from Mason + $5000 from VA) in addition to their regular Chapter 33 benefits.

Eligibility

Only out-of-state undergraduate, graduate, and law students with 100% Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) benefit eligibility may apply for the Yellow Ribbon Program. To be considered for the Yellow Ribbon Program, a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) must first be on file in the Office of the University Registrar showing Yellow Ribbon Program eligibility. VA has previously determined that active duty members and spouses of active duty members with Transfer of Entitlement are not eligible. All other dependents with Transfer of Entitlement are eligible.

Application Process

Students meeting Mason Yellow Ribbon program criteria must submit to the Office of the University Registrar, if not already on file, a copy of their VA Certificate of Eligibility showing 100% Chapter 33 benefit eligibility and Yellow Ribbon Program eligibility by email to veterans@gmu.edu or by fax to (703) 993-2467
Register for applicable classes in an approved program.
New students submit an online Veterans Registration Reporting Form (VRRF) indicating Chapter 33 Yellow Ribbon: New YR Applicant. Continuing Yellow Ribbon students from previous semesters indicate Chapter 33 Yellow Ribbon: Continuing YR Recipient.

Details

Yellow Ribbon Program contributions are provided to an unlimited number of eligible Mason students each academic year. A VRRF cannot be accepted prior to registration and initial submission of the Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Mason will provide Yellow Ribbon contributions to continuing participants during subsequent academic years in which Mason is participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program as long as the student maintains satisfactory progress, conduct, and attendance in their academic program. The combined Yellow Ribbon contribution for any semester cannot exceed the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition charges.

Question 10

VA Benefits - Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment)

Accepted Answer

To begin the transition to George Mason University, contact Military Services (military.gmu.edu or 703.993.1316) located in the Johnson Center on the Fairfax Campus. After a student receives admission to the university, the VA case manager contacts Military Services at military@gmu.edu with the student’s authorization (VA Form 28-1905) to use Chapter 31 benefits. Military Services will provide a list of eligible Chapter 31 students to the bookstore, parking, and student accounts. These offices will bill VA directly so students do not pay. Students can purchase required textbooks listed in the class syllabus and up to $45.00 in expendable school supplies per term. Students should inform the bookstore that they are on the veteran list and that VA is billed for their purchases. Students should contact parking services to obtain a parking permit if needed. Students should again inform parking that they are on the veteran list and that VA is billed for their parking. Since VA only pays for classes that are required for a student’s approved degree program, students should carefully review their degree audit on Patriot Web and work closely with their academic advisor to be sure all registered classes apply to their degree requirements. After registration is finalized, students should submit an online Veteran Registration Reporting Form (VRRF) also available from the Military Services website. The VRRF prompts the university to submit an enrollment certification to VA which is required to start VA benefit payments for the term. The university sends official communications only to your Mason email account. Check your account often and use it anytime you communicate with the university.

George Mason University

Office of the University Registrar

Search Results

Do I receive a diploma for minors?

Order a Diploma Replacement

Ceremony Program Information

Special Registration (ZREG 200)

Withdraw Graduation Application

University Honors and Honor Cords

Late Graduation Application

VA Benefits – Additional Resources

VA Benefits – Yellow Ribbon Program

VA Benefits – Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment)

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