GEO Financial, Withdrawal & Refund Policy
(Updated May 2026)
Quick Guide: What You’re Agreeing To
Action | What It Means | Financial Impact |
Apply | Submit your application and pay the $200 non-refundable fee in MasonAbroad. Complete your Global Career Accelerator (GCA), Build Your Own Internship (BYOI) or Global Pathway Freshman Spring Semester Program (GPP) application. | $200 is never refunded. No financial impact for GCA, BYOI or GPP. |
Commit | Click the “Commit” button to confirm participation. | You accept full financial responsibility. |
Withdraw After Commitment | You change your mind, miss requirements or are dismissed. | $1,000 penalty + $200 non-refundable application fee + non-recoverable costs (can equal full program cost). GCA: You accept $200 withdrawal penalty. Depending on the date, you may owe up to the full program cost. GPP: No financial impact until the end of the Unrestricted Withdrawal Period. |
Withdraw After Liability Date | You back out too late. | You owe 100% of the program cost for most programs. Global Partners program withdrawal penalty ranges from $1,500 to the full program cost. Global Pathway Freshman Spring Semester Program Only: After the end of the Unrestricted Withdrawal Period - $1,000 penalty + nonrecoverable host institution fees. After the program arrival date - Full program cost will apply. |
Withdraw After Receiving a GEO Scholarship | You cancel after the award posts. | The scholarship is removed from your account. |
Appeal for Relief of Withdrawal Fee | Only allowed in rare emergencies. | Accepted for death, serious illness, or military orders only. |
Bottom line: Once you click Commit, you may owe the entire program cost even if you never go abroad. Ask questions before you commit.
1. Getting Started: Application & Deadlines
- Application Fee: $200 (non-refundable) paid through MasonAbroad. Not required for Build Your Own Internship (BYOI), Global Career Accelerator (GCA) or Global Pathway Freshman Spring Semester Program (GPP).
Application Deadlines:
Program | Fall Semester | Winter Break | Spring Semester | Spring Break | Summer |
Global Partner Programs | March 1 | n/a | March 1 | n/a | March 1 |
Faculty-led Programs | March 1 | October 1 | October 1 | November 1 | March |
Internship Programs | March 15 | October 1 | October 1 | n/a | February 15 London: January 20 |
Build Your Own Internship | March 15 | October 1 | October 1 | n/a | March 15 |
Global Career Accelerator | August 8 | n/a | January 6 | n/a | April 27 |
Global Pathway Freshman Spring Semester Program (GPP) | n/a | n/a | Mid-August | n/a | n/a |
2. Committing to Your Program
- After acceptance, you must click “Commit” in MasonAbroad by the commitment deadline to confirm your spot. If you miss the deadline, you will forfeit your place.
- Do not commit until you are certain you will participate and accept all financial obligations.
- Exchange Programs only: A non-refundable administrative fee is due at commitment ($300 semester/$500 year-long).
3. Paying for Your Program
Term | Charges Posted to Your Mason Account | Payment Due |
Fall | July | August |
Winter / Spring | December | January |
Summer | April | May |
- Your $200 application fee will appear as a credit toward your total program charge.
- Student Accounts will send notifications about your bill to your GMU email address.
- Payments may be made by credit card, electronic check, or check through the Bill + Payment system or the Cashier’s Office. Mason Korea students can make payments via TransferMate or Flywire.
- Outstanding Balances: If you owe other university charges, any payment you make is applied to that balance first. You are still responsible for GEO fees.
- Account Holds: If a hold prevents GEO from registering you or posting charges, you may be dismissed and still owe the full fee.
4. Using Financial Aid & VA Benefits
- Financial Aid: Most aid can be used for study abroad. Complete the financial aid questionnaire and meet with your Financial Aid Officer. You must pay any balance not covered by aid.
- VA Benefits: Some programs may qualify depending on the benefit type.
5. Withdrawal & Refund Policy
A. How to Withdraw
Send written notification (email) to the Global Education Office. The withdrawal date is the date your email is received.
B. Withdrawal Penalties and Liability Dates
Program Type | After Commitment | After Liability Date | After Program Begins |
Faculty-led & Internship Programs | $1,000 penalty + $200 non-refundable app fee + non-recoverable costs* | 100% of program cost | 100% of program cost |
*Non-recoverable costs = expenses already paid for you such as housing, insurance, or vendor fees that cannot be refunded.
Program Type | Fall Semester Liability Date | Winter Break Liability Date | Spring Semester Liability Date | Spring Break Liability Date | Summer Program Liability Date |
Faculty-led Programs | June 25 | November 10 | November 10 | December 1 | April 1 |
Internship Programs | June 25 | n/a | December 10 | n/a | April 1 |
Build Your Own Internship | August 1 | December 1 | January 1 | n/a | May 1 |
Program Type | After Commitment | After Liability Date | After Program Begins |
Global Partners Programs (exchange / visiting student) | $1,000 penalty + $200 non-refundable app fee* | $1,500 penalty* + non-recoverable costs** | 100% of program cost* |
*For Exchange Programs, the $300 or $500 administrative fee is applied toward this penalty. **Non-recoverable costs = expenses already paid for you such as housing, insurance, or vendor fees that cannot be refunded.
Program Type | Fall Semester Liability Date | Spring Semester Liability Date | Summer Program Liability Date |
Global Partners Programs | June 25 | December 10 | April 1 |
Program Type | After Commitment | After Last Day to Drop & the Start of the Unrestricted Withdrawal Period | After the Start of the Unrestricted Withdrawal Period |
Global Career Accelerator (GCA) | $200 penalty | $200 + 50% GEO Tuition penalty | 100% of program cost |
Program Type | After commitment - End of the Unrestricted Withdrawal Period | End of the Unrestricted Withdrawal Period – Day before departure date | After date of in-country arrival - last day of program |
Global Pathway Freshman Spring Semester Program (GPP) | No penalty | $1,000 penalty + non-recoverable costs* | 100% of program cost |
*Non-recoverable costs = expenses already paid for you such as housing, insurance, or host institution fees that cannot be refunded.
C. GEO Scholarships
If you withdraw after receiving a GEO scholarship, that award will be removed from your student account.
Example: If you receive $1,000 and withdraw, your GEO scholarship will be removed, and you will be responsible for any charges that $1,000 had been applied to.
D. Appealing Withdrawal Charges
Appeal Submission:
Submit one appeal within 30 calendar days of withdrawal confirmation through MasonAbroad.
Appeals are only for recoverable costs and must include supporting documentation.
Provide all evidence in the MasonAbroad application; no changes are accepted after submission.
Reasons for Appeal:
Commonly Approved: Death in the immediate family, serious medical emergency, military orders.
Commonly Denied: Visa denial, passport issues, financial aid changes, ineligibility due to GPA or conduct, choosing another opportunity or changed mind, misunderstanding the full financial responsibility or program cost.
Appeals Process:
Timeline: 2-4 weeks.
Only one appeal is allowed per student.
Maintain active and current student accounts while awaiting the decision.
6. Program Cancellations by GEO
GEO may cancel or alter programs due to low enrollment, emergencies, or other changed conditions.
• Low Enrollment: If GEO cancels a program, the $200 application fee is refunded. Students who withdraw before an official cancellation notice will not receive a refund.
• Other Cancellations: All fees are refunded unless the cancellation results from events beyond GEO’s control (such as security issues, natural disaster, or political unrest). In those cases, only uncommitted or recoverable funds can be returned.
7. Your Financial Agreement
By committing to a GEO program, you agree to:
• Pay all program fees on time.
• Keep your student account clear of holds.
• Accept that non-payment may result in program dismissal without release from financial obligation.
• Understand that this policy applies to all participants, including those using financial aid, scholarships, or VA benefits.
Global Education Office | George Mason University
Johnson Center 235 · (703) 993-2154 · goabroad@gmu.edu
StudyAbroad.gmu.edu