Thank You Veterans Study Abroad Award

OVERVIEW

The Thank you Veteran Study Abroad Award offered through Mason’s Global Education Office (GEO) strives to alleviate the financial burden of study abroad by providing student veterans with funds to cover tuition, program fees, and travel incidentals as required. The scholarship is open to George Mason University students participating in a Global Education Office (GEO) sponsored summer program. This award has been made possible by an anonymous donor who has a passion for supporting veterans and study abroad.

Eligibility 

In order to apply for this scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
 

• Be a degree-seeking Mason student (undergraduate or graduate) at time of application (full or part-time, in-state or out-of-state residency status)
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 at time of application
• Active application to a Global Education Office (GEO) program by scholarship application deadline (summer program only)
• Proof of Service Record (DD214) 

Application Requirements

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must complete the Questionnaire for GEO Scholarships. In completing the Questionnaire, applicants must address the following information: 

• Financial need including any financial circumstances they would like to share with the scholarship committee
• Why they have chosen the particular program
• How they will be benefitted by Mason’s study abroad experience presently and, in the future, after they leave Mason
• Upload Proof of Service Record (DD214)

Scholarship applicants must also have an active program application before they will be considered for the scholarship.

Selection Process

One recipient and one alternate (in case the recipient becomes unable to attend his/her summer term program) will be selected once per year in Scholarship Cycle 2, for a summer study program only.
 
Scholarship awards are designed to supplement a student's funds during the program and are subject to the availability of funds.
 
Each application is carefully evaluated by a scholarship committee comprised of key representatives from the Global Education Office (GEO), the Office of Military Services, and a Thank You Veterans Scholarship alumni (the immediately previous year’s recipient if available and willing to serve). Preference is given to students who demonstrate financial need, who have never studied abroad, and are female veterans or veterans of a minority group.

Recipients will be selected based on the quality of their responses to the application Questionnaire.

Recipients and non-recipients will be notified about the scholarship award decision prior to final exams.

Disbursements of Funds

Recipients must sign and comply with GEO’s Scholarship Terms and Conditions. Once students sign the Terms and Conditions, scholarship awards are processed. Funds are posted to Mason student accounts and become available for the program term according to Financial Aid rules.

If a student cancels participation in the program prior to departure, scholarship funds will not be posted to the student’s account or, if posted, will be removed and the award cancelled.  If the program is cancelled, scholarship funds posted to the student’s account will be removed and the award cancelled. In the event that a student withdraws from and fails to complete the study abroad program, the student will be required to return the scholarship in full to the Global Education Office.

GEO’s Scholarship Policies and Requirements

Students are invited to apply for all of the Global Education Office (GEO) scholarships for which they are eligible. The Global Education Office (GEO) is committed to assisting as many students as possible. Therefore, preference will be given to students with financial need and/or who have not received previous funding from the Global Education Office (GEO). 

During or upon return from the study abroad program, GEO scholarship recipients are required to provide the following:

• Submit one High-Quality video (raw version) or photo representing their time and experiences abroad during their stay and/or no later than 30 days after their return; AND 
• Participate in one GEO activity determined in consultation with GEO staff. This can include writing a blog post or reflection, sharing photographs, assisting with on-campus events and activities, speaking to future program participants via email, or another activity of the student’s choice. 

Contact Information 

For questions or additional information, please contact GEO Staff at geoschol@gmu.edu.