The Office of the Provost offers the Graduate Inclusion & Access Scholarship in an effort to support the growth and development of an inclusive, thriving graduate community at George Mason University.
At Mason we believe “diversity is our strength.” An inclusive graduate student community is essential to enhance the quality of the intellectual environment for all of our students and faculty.
This scholarship, awarded on a competitive basis, is available to first-generation college students from underrepresented groups who are pursuing a doctoral degree and have demonstrated financial need.
Eligibility Criteria:
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First-generation college graduate, defined as:
an individual, neither of whose parents completed a baccalaureate degree;or
an individual who, prior to the age of 18, regularly resided with and received support from only one parent and whose supporting parent did not complete a baccalaureate degree;
or
an individual who, prior to the age of 18, did not regularly reside with or receive support from a natural or adoptive parent.
If your parent(s) and/or guardian(s) attended college but did not complete a bachelor’s degree (i.e., did not graduate), you are considered to be first-generation.
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Cumulative GPA of 3.3 or better (most recent degree)
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Full admission as a new, incoming student into a George Mason University doctoral program without provisions or conditions
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Financial need, as determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or an Alternate Needs Assessment Form (available in Financial Aid)
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All scholars must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, or have DACA, asylum status, or Temporary Protective Status (TPS).
Selection Criteria:
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Demonstrated need for financial resources to successfully complete a graduate program
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Demonstrated record of professional/extra-curricular achievement
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Essay which clearly demonstrates the applicant’s ability to make connections between their personal experience overcoming obstacles/challenges, their proposed area of doctoral study, and their commitment to the issues of inclusion and access
Scholarship recipients are eligible for up to five (5) years of renewed financial support, dependent upon the student maintaining: (a) full-time enrollment as defined by the University Catalog; (b) good academic standing; and, (c) a cumulative GPA of 3.5 for the duration of scholarship eligibility. Recipients are advised they will be required to hold a graduate assistantship within their field of study for two (2) of the scholarship’s five (5) years. Recipients will be expected to actively engage with faculty mentors and participate in university-focused service activities.
Awarded financial support includes:
- Annual stipend of $25,000 per academic year (9-month contract with possibility of summer funding)
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Tuition support of 18 credits per academic year
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Subsidized Graduate Health Insurance offered annually
A full application packet must be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office of George Mason University. Follow instructions for a Graduate-Degree Seeking Student for fall 2019.
The following materials must also be submitted as part of the scholarship application:
- Response to essay prompt as described in the online application
- Current résumé or curriculum vitae (CV)
For more information, visit the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President’s Awards and Grants webpage.
Applications due: February 1, 2019
Decisions announced: March 1, 2019