Administrative
Details
PAYMENT:
Check your acceptance details for when your nonrefundable $1,000.00 deposit is due. The program fee is $3,850 (which includes 3 credits of graduate tuition). You can make this payment into your GMU student account exactly like you would pay for any other class (by check at the cash office or credit card using the patriot web system).
All Mason students paying via credit card will have to log onto patriot web's bill and payment system and pay using a Mastercard, Discover or American Express (Visa will no longer be accepted).
NonMason students will need to mail a check made payable to George Mason University with their GO number on the memo line to Michal McElwain Malur at the GMU School of Public Policy, 3401 N Fairfax Dr. Arlington, VA 22201
IMPORTANT, PLEASE NOTE: Depending on the time of year, the GMU computer system may not yet show the study abroad charge and indicate that you have a 0 balance. But, you can make the payment of $1000.00, even if it says you have a $0 balance. Please make your payment on time. If you don't pay the deposit on time, you will forfeit your spot. The remainder of the program fee is due by November 1st. After November 5th, there will be no reimbursements if you have to cancel for any reason (including death in the family, illness, not getting your VISA or the proper documentation to enter Singapore/India). Not paying the program fee by November 1st may result in either additional late fees and/or the forfeiting of your spot as well as the $1,000 nonrefundable deposit.
FINANCIAL QUESTIONS AND FINANCIAL AID:
Joanne Cabe is the Accounts Administrator for our program. If you have questions about payments, please direct them to her at 703 993 4048 or at jcabe@gmu.edu. If you are using financial aid, you need to get a cost breakdown form for the program from Ms. Cabe and file it with your financial aid advisor. Your financial aid advisor is the one to ask questions regarding financial aid/loans.
TRAVEL:
You are responsible for booking and paying for your international airfare to Asia. The program starts in Singapore (SIN) and concludes in Bangalore (BLR), India. Although, we don't organize a group booking, several companies offer student discounts STA travel and also www.studentuniverse.com January is the high season. So, don't delay in purchasing your airline tickets. (departure from the US Jan 3th at the latest). THE FLIGHT FROM SINGAPORE TO INDIA IS BOOKED BY GMU AND INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM FEE.
REGISTRATION:
Study Abroad registration is done differently than for a regular semester class. Registration takes place after the final payments are made. The group will be registered after November 5th. You need not worry about personally registering for the class.
INTERNATIONAL VISA:
U.S. citizens need a visa for travel to India but not Singapore. A U.S. Passport valid at least 6 months beyond the stay is required. If not a US citizen, you are responsible for finding out if you need a VISA and acquiring your own VISA (which also includes making sure you have the appropriate documents to leave and reenter the country). Although they charge a processing fee in addition to the Embassy fee, I recommend using a VISA service to save you time and to make sure the paperwork is handled properly. I use Atlas Visa and recommend them. Their phone number is 703 418-0800 and their website is www.atlasvisa.com. PLEASE NOTE: You will only need a tourist VISA, NOT a student VISA. (In recent years, because students procrastinated, several have not received their VISAs in time to attend a program. There are no refunds or reimbursements should you not receive your VISA in time. So, don't delay in applying for your VISA).
IMMUNIZATIONS:
None are required (in the sense that you need to show documentation at immigration) for travel to Singapore or India. Talk to your doctor. GMU also has a travel clinic at the student health center.
ORIENTATION:
The trip orientation is mandatory. We'll meet at the end of the semester. Additional information will be sent out in Oct, so you can mark your calendars.
PLEASE PERIODICALLY CHECK THIS WEBSITE FOR NEW INFORMATION.
