Scholarships and Financial Aid

Mason awards millions of dollars in scholarships to incoming freshmen every year. These awards not only recognize strong academic talent and achievement, but also special talents and other personal characteristics, without regard to an applicant’s financial need.

All freshman applicants who apply by November 1 (the Early Action application deadline) will automatically be considered for merit-based scholarships through the Office of Admissions and the Scholarship Committee. Students who apply Early Action are notified of their admissions decisions by mid-December, and the Scholarship Committee notifies students if they were awarded a scholarship no later than February.

The University Scholars are selected from among the most outstanding students invited to the Honors College. This award is the highest academic distinction that Mason offers to undergraduate students and is given annually to top high school seniors admitted to the university. Each year the University Scholars Program enrolls approximately 20 new first-year students, each of whom receives a scholarship covering the full cost of tuition over four years. Students receiving this award have exemplary records of academic achievement, and they have demonstrated intellectual vision and creativity, the potential to solve problems and overcome obstacles, and a commitment to meaningfully contributing to their communities.

Applications must be submitted by November 1 to receive priority consideration for the scholarship. Prospective freshmen should check the appropriate box for "University Scholar" on their applications. For more information, please visit the University Scholars website.

Friends of Theater Scholarships are funded by private donations.

Friends of Theater Scholarships will be awarded to students who excel in one or more of the following areas:

• Performance (Acting, Directing, Musical Theater)
• Design, Technical Theater, Stage Management
• Theater Education, Writing, Dramaturgy or Leadership

Criteria

• Eligible applicants must be current full-time Theater Majors or students pursuing the Theater Education Concentration, with a 3.0 GPA minimum, who demonstrate commitment to their craft.
• A current FAFSA must be on file with Mason’s financial aid office in order to receive scholarship assistance. More information.

Application

Submit your complete application (Parts 1-4) via email to our Assistant Director Nicholas Horner, with the subject line of Friends Scholarship.

Part One: Please include the following information with your scholarship application and complete Parts 1-3 below:

Name
G#
Concentration of Interest*

* Although you may list more than one area of interest, please submit only one application.

Part Two: Submit an essay. Describe how you demonstrate your personal and professional commitment to the artistic, technical, and/or educational discipline of Theater, as a student and as a member of your community. Cite examples of participation, volunteerism, leadership, and/or outreach, focusing primarily on the past year. Include your plans and intentions for the next several years.

Part Three: Briefly describe your financial need for scholarship consideration.

Part Four: Attach a current resume.

*Awarded each Spring Semester

This scholarship was established by former Theater Faculty Member Howard Vincent Kurtz and is awarded to a current full-time student pursuing a Degree in Theater with a Concentration in Design and Technical Theater within the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The student must be a rising junior or senior and will qualify on the basis of academic merit and financial need.

One $1000 scholarship will be awarded for the academic year.

To apply:

Submit all materials electronically to our Assistant Director Nicholas Horner using the subject line: Kurtz Scholarship Application

Email attachment or Google Doc preferred.

The application must include the following:

• Name, G#, Major, Concentration and expected year of Graduation, followed by a one-page essay on the applicant’s post-graduation plans for a career or avocation in the field of technical theater or design for stage or screen;
• Current contact information, including address, phone, and email;
• Current cumulative GPA;
• A statement of financial need
• A current FAFSA is required to be on file with Mason’s Financial Aid office.   

   

*Awarded by faculty nomination each Fall Semester

The scholarship is for undergraduate students pursuing a degree within the School of Theater. Applicants must demonstrate a contribution to service in and a spirit for improving the School of Theater community. Recipients must be full-time students, may be in-state or out-of-state students, and will qualify on the basis of academic merit and financial need.

*Awarded by faculty nomination each Fall Semester

This fund supports students in the School of Theater in honor of Brower “BC” Spransy. Mr. Spransy had a long career as an engineer with the GSA and was also an amateur magician. His daughter, Martha S. Engle, and granddaughter, Samantha Engle Price, created the fund in his honor. The purpose of the fund is to provide scholarship support for undergraduate and graduate students in the School of Theater. Preference will be given to candidates with active participation in improvisation, such as the Mason Improv Association or the creation of Devised Theater offerings, and especially one that incorporates magic, illusion, comedy, and/or similar elements in their performances.

*Awarded by faculty nomination each Fall Semester

This award, funded originally by the family of Chris Parsons, honors the life of a talent alumni who passed away unexpectedly in 2007. This award, presented at convocation, must be awarded to a student who is a Senior or who has completed 90+ credits in the major and who demonstrates complete immersion in the program with the intent to pursue a career in Theater. Preference should be given to a student interested in performance or theater education. The student must be involved both on-stage and off-stage.

*Awarded by faculty nomination each Fall Semester

To provide scholarship support for undergraduate students enrolled in the School of Theater who are pursuing a degree in Theater or Musical Theater, with preference given to Musical Theater majors. Scholarship recipients may be full-time or part-time students and may be in-state or out-of-state. Scholarship recipients will qualify on the basis of academic merit and financial need. Recipients will be selected by a faculty committee from the School of Theater. 

*Awarded by faculty nomination each Fall Semester