Updates for the 2024-25 FAFSA at Mason

Jonathan Nichols — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 16:27:12 +0000

Updates for the 2024-25 FAFSA at Mason Jonathan Nichols Mon, 02/19/2024 - 11:27

This is part of a monthly series that informs George Mason University's faculty and staff about how the Office of Admissions and its collaborators are working to build and support a diverse student body that reflects our world and future.

Due to delays in the release of this year’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Mason has extended its freshman enrollment deposit deadline to May 15.

The updated FAFSA soft-launched at the end of last year and is now open for all students. However, the Department of Education recently announced it will not begin sending batches of FAFSA data to schools until mid-March.

OSFA is continuing to update its models and systems so it is ready to package aid in the weeks after data becomes available. Mason is extending its enrollment deposit deadline to give students enough time to receive their aid and make any necessary adjustments to their application.

For students who are ineligible for the FAFSA, the Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) application is now available. The VASA is an opportunity for Virginia residents who are ineligible for the FAFSA to access state and institutional aid.

For both freshman and transfer students, the priority filing deadline for aid available on a “first come, first served” basis for both of the FAFSA and VASA is March 1. Students who miss this deadline should still submit either their FAFSA or VASA because aid will remain available.

The FAFSA Simplification page continues to receive updates with new resources and the latest developments for prospective and current Mason students.

Topics

Financial Aid

Alethia Shipman named director of financial aid

Lauren Reuscher — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 17:40:48 +0000

Alethia Shipman named director of financial aid Lauren Reuscher Fri, 07/14/2023 - 13:40

In This Story

David Burge, MSE

Alethia Shipman, director of Student Financial Aid. Photo provided

Alethia Shipman was recently appointed as director of student financial aid at George Mason University. Shipman, who has been with Mason for more than a year serving as associate director of financial aid, assumes the position following the retirement of Sandy Tarbox.

“Alethia assumes this new role with a breadth of financial aid experience across a number of institutional types,” said David Burge, vice president for enrollment management. “She’s worked as a financial aid advisor, a certifying official, an analyst, and as an associate director at two different institutions. Words that consistently come up to describe her are thorough, approachable, knowledgeable, and full of positive energy.”

Previous roles provided Shipman with hands-on experiences throughout multiple layers of financial aid and afforded her the opportunity to use technical, analytical, and customer service skills in a leadership capacity, enhancing her approach to managing staff from diverse backgrounds. She plans to use her knowledge, passion, and expertise to make a difference in students’ lives.

“My favorite part of working with students is knowing that I played a part in reaching their goals by assisting them throughout their educational journey through counseling, mentoring, or educating them along the way,” Shipman said.

Those skills will undoubtedly assist the entire Office of Student Financial Aid as big changes are coming. In 2020, Congress passed legislation to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application while also adjusting the formula to determine who will qualify for aid and how much they will receive. As FAFSA alters focus from cash flow to a slightly greater emphasis on wealth, this shift translates into a fairer treatment across the board but could mean decreases in aid eligibility for middle- and high-income families.

Since these developments could result in fear or reluctance for applicants, Shipman knows that communication is key and plans to visit local high schools as well as hold workshops and open forums for students and families to help navigate the FAFSA changes.

“Because the changes can be overwhelming, it will be important to provide FAFSA workshops to assist with completing the application,” she said. “Having open forums for students and families to have all of their questions answered will have a positive impact.”

Beyond FAFSA, Shipman knows that repaying student loans is just as much of a priority for recent graduates as securing a job. She also knows that financial literacy education—understanding financial concepts such as interest rates, student loans, credit scores, budgeting, and how personal finances work—is the best way to help new and current students understand how to wisely manage their personal resources, especially when it comes to spending on their education.

“It is important to provide financial literacy resources to students,” she said, emphasizing the need to provide financial aid counseling to help students understand the options available to them.

Having a college degree increases job opportunities and career stability, and Shipman knows that financial aid plays a strong role in allowing students that opportunity. Moving forward in her new role, Shipman will no doubt have a big impact on the student population by providing outstanding student financial aid service and choice.

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Admissions and Financial Aid

Financial Aid

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