Stay Mason Student Support Fund

Stay Mason Student Support Fund – Spring Term 2026

Thank you for your interest in the Stay Mason Student Support Fund. The Spring 2026 application is now closed due to the lack of continuing available funds, and we are no longer accepting requests for spring term 2026 funding.

If you are experiencing a true unexpected emergency, you can email Stay Mason Student Support Fund at [email protected] to meet with the Financial Well-Being Team and discuss your financial options.

Applications for Summer Term 2026 emergency assistance, and updated criteria for funding, will be available through our website on or about July 1, 2026, and continuing during summer term 2026, subject to the availability of funds.

Please keep in mind that this emergency assistance is NOT guaranteed funding, is not a substitute for federal financial aid, and is designed to provide temporary, short-term financial assistance to students who face an emergency or unexpected financial hardship during a term. Emergency funding should be considered a last resort for students and should not be considered part of a student’s financial planning for the future.

More financial aid options can be found here:

1. Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans: The Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans for undergraduate level students have a current interest rate for 2025-2026 of 6.39% fixed and 7.94% fixed for graduate level unsubsidized loans.
2. Parent Plus Loans: Dependent Undergraduate students can have a parent apply for a Parent Plus Loan. The current interest rate for 2025-2026 is 8.94% fixed. If a parent’s parent plus loan application is denied, the dependent student can request an additional unsubsidized loan by contacting the Office of Student Financial Aid.
3. Graduate Plus Loans:The federal Graduate PLUS loan is being eliminated for new borrowers as of July 1, 2026 for the 2026-2027 academic year, per federal legislation. Graduate students who have already received a Grad Plus loan are able to apply again for the maximum unsubsidized Graduate Plus Loan with an 8.94% fixed interest rate. In addition, if the student has already received one Graduate Plus Loan, the student can apply for an increase to the loan up to the Cost of Attendance.
4. Private Loans: Students who are not eligible for federal aid, or students who want to look at different interest rate options, can look into Private Loans which offer different terms as well.
5. Prodigy Finance: Prodigy Finance is a private loan lender option for International, DACA, and Undocumented Masters students as it does not require a U.S. co-signer. However, interest rates are higher without a U.S. cosigner.
6. MPower Financing: MPower Financing is a private loan lender option for International, DACA, and Undocumented students as it does not require a U.S. co-signer. However, interest rates are higher without a U.S. cosigner.
7. Outside Scholarships: Students are encouraged to look for outside scholarships.
8. Mason Schools/Colleges/Units: Some of Mason’s schools and colleges administer separate emergency assistance funds for their respective enrolled students which may have different criteria for funding consideration. Check with the particular school or college of enrollment.
9. Patriot Pantry: Mason-enrolled students can access the Patriot Pantry on campus to help with food and other personal items. Email Patriot Pantry at [email protected] with any questions about the process or items available.

For any questions, please contact Stay Mason Student Support Fund at [email protected].