Dean's Merit Scholarship
Summary
At George Mason University, our goal is to promote academic success. The Mason Korea Dean's Merit Scholarship will provide additional tuition support to students who excel academically at Mason Korea. It significantly increases the scholarship dollars offered by the current merit scholarship fund.
Students can apply for this scholarship for the spring and fall semesters. Students must have completed or be in the process of completing at least 30 credit hours at Mason Korea before the final decision is made. Students receive the scholarship for their entire time on the Mason Korea campus, so long as they maintain their high academic standing. Applicants must be in good standing with the University (e.g., academic, student conduct, and financial) and possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 at the time of application. Check out the Scholarship Policy section below for more information. Questions about the Dean’s Merit Scholarship should be directed to mksch@gmu.edu.
Scholarship Policy
The Dean's Merit Scholarship is worth $2,000 per semester while you are enrolled as a full-time student at Mason Korea. The awards are applicable only towards Fall and Spring semester tuition at the Korea campus. The awards do not apply to summer term tuition.
In order to be eligible to apply for the Merit Scholarship, the applicant must
- have been admitted to Mason Korea (Fairfax students are not eligible to apply);
- must have accumulated at least 30 credit hours at Mason Korea; however, these credits can be in process, as long as they are completed before the January (Spring)/June (Fall) scholarship review;
- be in good academic standing;
- have a Mason student ID (G#) and email address;
- be free from any administrative holds; and
- have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher at the time of this application.
If a student is selected as a recipient of this scholarship, a student must meet the requirements specified below to retain his or her scholarship recipient status.
In order to retain one's scholarship recipient status, the recipient must;
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maintain enrollment under full-time status (12 credits or more per semester) at Mason Korea; and
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maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Otherwise, the award will be forfeited.
Exception for Fairfax Transition
If a recipient applies for the Fairfax transition after spending the first semester with this award, the remaining award can be paused and reserved for a maximum of 2 semesters. Reserved awards can be reinstated when the student registers for the Korea campus after spending two semesters in Fairfax.
To be eligible for reinstatement, the student must notify the scholarship coordinator at MKSCH@gmu.edu, who will ensure they are placed back on the reinstatement list.
For the Fall 2025 semester, please apply by Sunday, 05/25/2025 11:55 PM KST.
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Online Application
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Upload current resumé (PDF file only).
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Write and upload an original essay addressing the following:
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Describe how your time at Mason Korea has shaped you and how you have impacted Mason Korea. Provide specific examples from in and/or out of the classroom.
There is no minimum or maximum word count, but the essay must be no more than one page, single-spaced, in Times New Roman font, 12-point font size, and one-inch page margins. Include the total word count at the end of your essay. Essays are often the deciding factor for scholarship recipients, so the applicant should carefully prepare. Submit the completed essay and resume electronically (PDF file only) in your online application. It is the student's responsibility to see that all parts of the package are completed.Caution:
We encourage originality and personal expression in your essays. While AI can be a helpful tool, your work must reflect your thoughts and experiences. Essays that demonstrate authenticity and personal insight will be evaluated favorably. Please ensure that your submission is an accurate representation of your abilities and ideas.
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- Upon invitation, participate in a short online interview with the Scholarship Review Committee.
Automatic Disqualification If:
To ensure a fair review process, failure to comply with the instructions, including but not limited to the following examples, may lead to automatic disqualification:
- Failure to follow formatting guidelines (e.g., exceeding the one-page limit or submitting a Word document instead of a PDF).
- Exceeding the one-page limit.
- Omitting required documentation (e.g., failing to submit a resumé).
- Submitting incorrect documents.
- Making false claims or misrepresentations (e.g., stating that you have completed a program that you have not).
- Having been sanctioned for violations of the institution’s Honor Code or Academic Standards policies.
Please review your submission carefully to ensure compliance with these requirements.
Questions? Please contact MKSCH@gmu.edu.