About Mason Money
A fast, safe, and convenient way to make purchases with your Mason ID
Mason Money is a prepaid declining balance account connected to Mason ID or Mason Money Patron Card. There is no maintenance fee for maintaining the account, and unused Mason Money will be refunded to users upon separation from the university. Please send your request to masonid@gmu.edu.
For Students/Faculty & Staff/Affiliates
Users can make cashless purchases on and off campuses, set up guest accounts, track spending, set low-balance alerts, and request funds from family and friends.
For Parents/Guardians
Enabling Mason Money on students’ Mason IDs reduces the need to carry cash, debit cards, or credit cards on campus. Guest accounts are available to receive low-balance alerts and deposit Mason Money.
Cashless Purchases
Tap Mason ID on the readers at the checkout
Use On & Off Campus
Convenient transactions on campus, at grocery stores, and on delivery apps
Easy to Manage
Manage Mason ID, Mason Money, and meal plans all in one location
Rollover until Graduation
Mason Money rolls over each semester until separation from Mason
Mason Money vs. Dining Dollars
Both Mason Money and Dining Dollars can be accessed via Mason ID. We recommend students have both for more convenience in accessing services on campus.
Visit the Mason Dining website for more information about Dining Dollars and meal plans.
Mason Money
Features
- A prepaid declining balance account, separate from meal plans
- $5 minimum deposit online
- Does not expire as long as you are affiliated with the university
- Pay via debit/credit cards
Where to Use
- Use at on-campus dining venues
- Order with Starship and GrubHub deliveries
- Purchase from vending machines, the bookstore, printing and mailing, locker rental, libraries, and more
Plus
- Use at off-campus Mason Merchants
- Family members can add Mason Money to your account via Visa/Mastercard or checks
- No minimal balance and maintenance fee
Dining Dollars
Features
- Funds that come with the purchase of a student meal plan
-
Added in one of four increments:
$100, $200, $350, $500 - Roll over from fall to spring (expire at the end of spring semester)
- Billed to your Student Account
Where to Use
- Use at on-campus dining venues
- Order with Starship and GrubHub deliveries
Plus
- Tax-exempt dining (6% savings)
How to Deposit
- Visit the Online Mason Card Office.
- Select “Add Mason Money Here” in the sub-navigation panel.
- Accept the Mason Money Agreement.
- Log in with your Mason NetID.
- Select a desired amount to deposit ($5 minimum).
- Enter debit or credit card information. Visa and MasterCard accepted.
Visit Mason Card Office on the Fairfax Campus, located in Sub 1, Room 1203, during business hours.
Check, Visa, and MasterCard are accepted.
To request money from family and friends:
- Visit the Online Mason Card Office.
- Log in with your Mason NetID.
- Under “Personalize,” select “Request Money” in the sub-navigation panel.
- Enter the guest’s email address.
- Once completed, an email will be sent to the guest’s email with a link to make a deposit online (G Number required, contact the student before making deposits).
Students may create up to 10 guest accounts and grant additional access settings.
- Visit the Online Mason Card Office.
- Log in with your Mason NetID
- Under “Personalize,” select “Grant Additional Access” in the sub-navigation panel.
- Click “Add” and enter the guest account email address.
- Select access options for the guest account. Check “Request Money” to allow guests to deposit Mason Money.
- Once completed, an email with a temporary password will be sent to the guest’s email. Please update the password immediately.
G Number—Guests must enter the student’s G Number to deposit to a student account. Federal privacy laws restrict Mason Card Office staff and university officials from giving out G Numbers. Contact the student before making deposits.
Sample Semester Budget
Check below for the most common expenses from our students. Mason Money carries over to the next semester and from year to year as long as the cardholder maintains an active student or active employee relationship with the university.
| Textbooks | $400 |
|---|---|
| School Supplies | $75 |
| Print & Copy | $50 |
| Vending | $75 |
| Personal Care | $100 |
| Apparel | $100 |
| Entertainment | $50 |
| Miscellaneous | $50 |
| Total | $900 |
Mason Merchants
Mason Merchants are local businesses that accept Mason Money for purchases and services. The list of Mason Merchants is constantly growing, giving more options to eat and shop in the community! View the Mason Merchants below, or look for stores that display the Mason Money sign.
Note: Mason Money cannot be used to purchase prohibited items. A not-inclusive list of prohibited items include piercing, tobacco products, lottery or gambling tickets, drug paraphernalia, alcohol, or gift certificates that can be redeemed for cash.
Free Grubhub+ Mason Membership
Mason students, faculty, and staff receive unlimited $0 delivery fees on orders $18+ from GH+ merchants. Order with Mason Money, and you can access endless food options nationwide!
7-Eleven
3910 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030
Banditos Tacos & Tequila
10621 Braddock Rd, Fairfax, VA 22032
Big Buns
10392 Fairfax Blvd, Fairfax, VA 22030
Chloez Cafe
5622 Ox Road Unit F, Fairfax Station, VA 22039
Dante Salon & Wellness Spa
3943 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22030
Freddy’s
10030 Fairfax Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22030
Grubhub
Online
McDonald’s
10645 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
Old Dominion Pizza Company
3950 University Drive Suit 102, Fairfax, VA 22030
Ornery Beer Company
3950 University Dr, suite 209, Fairfax, VA 22030
Safeway
10350 Willard Way, Fairfax, VA 22030 9525 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
The Commons Fooderie
3955 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 107, Fairfax, VA 22030
The Halal Guys
10625 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22032
Velocity Wings
10697 Braddock Rd, Fairfax, VA 22032
Become a Mason Merchant
FAQs
Who can use Mason Money?
All current Mason students, faculty, staff, and affiliates can deposit Mason Money to their Mason ID.
Campus facilities open for public services, such as libraries, dining halls, restaurants, print services, etc., also accept debit/credit cards.
Mason alumni, friends and family, and community members may apply for a Mason Money Patron Card to use Mason Money. Contact the Mason Card Office for details.
Why should I use Mason Money?
Mason Money offers a convenient way to make transactions. It reduces the need for Mason members to carry credit/debit cards on campus.
There are no fees to maintain a Mason Money account.
How much Mason Money should I deposit?
Please check the Sample Semester Budget for the most common expenses. Deposit amounts vary from person to person. Please adjust to meet your needs.
Mason Money carries over to the next semester and from year to year as long as the cardholder maintains an active student or employee relationship with the university. Any unused Mason Money can be refunded to the cardholder when departing from the university.
How to request a Mason Money refund for a vending machine malfunction?
Should you have problems with a vending machine not dispensing or not returning your money, please submit a refund or problem request to the appropriate vendors listed below.
If you are on the SciTech, Mason Square, or Front Royal campus, you may identify the office there to assist you based on the Mason Vending sticker on the vending machines.
Coca-Cola (Beverages)
(703) 993-2840
Submit Form
Canteen (Snacks)
(703) 993-2840
Submit Form
If someone used my stolen cards, what do I do?
If your card is lost or stolen, deactivate your Mason ID to prevent any unauthorized usage of Mason Money and meal plans:
- Log into the Online Mason Card Office and select “Lost/Stolen Card.”
- If unauthorized transactions have been made, contact Mason Card Office at (703) 993-1004 or masonid@gmu.edu. If after business hours, leave a voice mail requesting that your Mason ID be deactivated, clearly stating your name, G Number, and contact information.
Please note:
- Cardholder will not be held responsible for any unauthorized/fraudulent transactions after the time the card is properly reported as lost or stolen.
- If cardholder notifies the Mason Card Office of a lost/stolen card within two business days, the cardholder will be responsible for no more than $50 of unauthorized/fraudulent charges that occur before notice to the University.
- If the cardholder does not notify Mason Card Office within two business days of learning of the lost/stolen card and the Mason Card Office can prove notification would have stopped the misuse of the card, the cardholder may lose as much as $500 from the account for unauthorized/fraudulent charges.
How to issue Mason Money refund?
Early withdrawals are allowed under extenuating circumstances. A service charge of $25 may apply for refund requests.
If the students or employees departing from the university (graduation, withdrawal, or leaving employment) would like to receive a refund, please email the Mason Card Office with their G Number and mailing address. A service charge of $25 will be assessed for refund requests.
A one-year grace period is allowed once the cardholder’s relationship with the University has been terminated to request a refund. Failure to request a refund will result in account closure and a $25 service charge. Any remaining balance after the service charge is applied will be submitted to the students account. If there is a zero balance on the student’s account then the remaining funds will be submitted to the Commonwealth of Virginia as unclaimed property.