Scholarships

Senior information technology major Crystal Forson likes to joke that her parents have been in school with her the whole time—"just without the studying.” Their support, she said, has been constant, from eighth grade when she joined the George Mason University’s Early Identification Program (EIP), all the way through graduation this May.

The George Mason University community came together in a powerful show of support on April 2, raising a record $2.95 million during the university’s 24-hour Giving Day. More than 1,900 donors made 3,229 gifts to 293 funds across the university, helping expand opportunities for students, strengthen academic programs, and support initiatives that advance George Mason’s mission.

George Mason University alumnus Robert “Ken” Hedrick Jr., BA History ’71, said his philanthropy is rooted in the examples set by both sets of his grandparents, who were neighbors in a farming community in West Virginia. His paternal grandparents fed anyone who walked by the farm, and his maternal grandparents regularly took in foster children. Both families were always first to share what they had.

George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) announces the ARTS by George! benefit event, headlined by acclaimed actor and musician Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. ARTS by George! takes place on Saturday, October 3, on George Mason’s Fairfax Campus.

Funded by a $3.9 million grant, the Scholarship for Service program supports students who commit to working in government cybersecurity roles after graduation.

The Costello College of Business at George Mason University announced a significant increase in scholarship money awarded to students—$1.3 million for the 2024-2025 academic year—$500,000 of which went to named scholarships. Over the past five years, both the total amount of scholarship funding and the number of students who have received Costello scholarships have more than doubled.

The Zeineb Mrad Bouali Tenacity and Perseverance Award honors students who have had to pause their educational goals and are now hoping to return to complete their degrees.

Raising more than $289,000 to support Mason Arts, the 20th ARTS by George! benefit featured Tony, Emmy, and Golden Globe winner Darren Criss as the headliner.

Tommy Everett and Sarah Hormel Everett have pledged $1.2 million to expand the existing endowed scholarship in honor of their son, Mats Von Quillfeldt, a former Mason LIFE student. The scholarship was established to help defray the costs associated with attending Mason LIFE, including tuition, fees, housing, textbooks, and related expenses.

Ilya Kim brought a unique perspective to his studies at George Mason University.