J-1 Graduate Students

All new international students in J-1 status are required to complete the New International Student Check-in Form for J-1 Students upon arrival in the US starting Tuesday July 23, 2024.  This is the key step to let Mason know you have arrived. Not doing so could cause problems with a variety of administrative requirements.

Link to form: https://oips.gmu.edu/international-student-check-in-form-for-j-1-students/

Patriot Pass is your online credential that allows you to access a variety of Mason online systems, such as Patriot Web (course registration, tuition bill, etc) and Blackboard (a web-based learning management system that allows faculty to add resources for students).

Patriot Pass uses your NetID (also called your username) which is your personal online identifier. Your NetID is the portion of your Mason e-mail address in front of the @ symbol. For example, the Mason NetID for jdoe@gmu.edu would be jdoe. Your Mason NetID is not the same as your G Number. Your NetID along with a password that you create make up your Patriot Pass credentials.

To sign up for Patriot Pass, change your password, get a new password, or get more information, go to:

1. http://strongpassword.gmu.edu
2. Click on “I’m new to Patriot Pass
3. Enter your G Number and PIN/Claim Code**

** Your default claim code is your 6-digit birthdate in the format of mmddyy (month month day day year year).

To activate your Masonlive email account, go to:

1. https://password.gmu.edu/
2. Click on the link in step 5

Note: you need to activate your Patriot Pass before you can activate your Mason email account.

If you experience any trouble activating your Patriot Pass or Mason email Account, please call the ITS Support Center at 703-993-8870 or email support@gmu.edu.

All new graduate students in J-1 status are required to attend the on-campus orientation on the week of January 8, 2024, at the Fairfax campus. 

Register to attend orientation today: https://oips.gmu.edu/igsoregistration/

To register for classes, go to http://patriotweb.gmu.edu

Prior to orientation/course registration, we recommend you review the following information:

1. Review the Course Registration Guide

• The Course Registration Guide explains how to register and drop classes in Patriot Web (link: http://registrar.gmu.edu/topics/registration-guide/)
• You will log in to Patriot Web (link: http://patriotweb.gmu.edu) in order to register for classes

2. Review the rule "Full-Time Enrollment Requirement"

• Immigration regulations require international students in J-1 status to take a full course of study in the Fall and Spring. Graduate students MUST register for a minimum of 9 credits in Fall and Spring.
• Do not count any fully online courses towards your full-time status.  J-1 students can only register for a fully online course after registering for a minimum of 12 undergraduate or 9 graduate in-person courses. Online courses are marked as "distance education" in the Course Catalog and the venue of the course is marked as "Online/Internet NET" or "TBA." Please note that online courses are different from hybrid courses.   In a hybrid course, the professor and students will meet both on-campus and online.  International students can take as many hybrid courses as they wish.

3.  Download the app Blackboard App for Students on your smartphone

• Blackboard App for Students is a free mobile and tablet-optimized app for iOS, Android, and Microsoft. This app gives Mason students access to their Blackboard course content on a variety of mobile devices. The first release of the Blackboard App includes the ability to access courses, view the course content, take tests, participate in discussions, and join Collaborate sessions.
• Link: https://its.gmu.edu/knowledge-base/how-to-install-the-blackboard-mobile-learn-app/

If you decide to defer your admission, you must withdraw from courses during the drop/add period (Final day Fall 2024: Tuesday, September 17, 2024, for a 50% refund).  If you fail to drop your classes, you are responsible for any fees incurred. In addition, contact the Student Health Insurance Office at insure@gmu.edu to cancel your health insurance.  If you fail to do so, you are responsible for any fees incurred (including late fees).

The "New to Mason" Guide is now available on the Mason website!  Click on the links to learn more:

All new international students are required to check in with the Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS). This is the key step to let Mason know you have arrived. Not doing so could cause problems with a variety of administrative requirements.

Things to bring to check-in:

• DS-2019
• Passport and Visa
• International Student Check-In Sheet

Pick up your Mason ID card.  To learn more, go to https://masonid.gmu.edu/about-mason-id/ 

All Mason students born after December 31, 1956, must provide proof of compliance with immunization requirements mandated by the Commonwealth of Virginia and George Mason University. 

All students must fill out the Immunization Record Form and submit it to the Student Health Immunization Office by Thursday, August 1, 2024.  Students are encouraged to complete the five immunization requirements BEFORE they travel to the US. Students must submit a completed GMU Immunization Form signed by a health care provider. Students may upload the form to the patient portal along with any blood test reports and/or chest x-ray reports.  

The five requirements are listed below:
1. Hepatitis B (shots or blood test report)
2. Measles, Mumps & Rubella (shots or blood test report)
3. Meningococcal (shot)
4. Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (shot)
5. Tuberculosis (skin test or Quantiferon blood test report) **If your home country is listed on p. 2 of the Immunization Record Form AND you have not lived in the US for the past five years, TB testing is required. 

Students can complete the five immunization requirements upon arrival at Mason, however, wait times for immunization appointments can be long. To learn more about the immunization requirements, proof of immunization, or to print the Immunization form go to the Student Health Website. 

The deadline to submit the Immunization Record Form and supporting documents (labs and chest x-ray reports if completed) is Thursday, August 1, 2024.  

For location and office hours, visit the Immunizations website. 

NOTE: Some students submit the Immunization Record form and supporting documents online to the patient portal and other students prefer to drop off their documents in person upon arrival at Mason. Once you have completed all the requirements, you will receive a secure message from the patient portal. The message will state if your records are complete or if more information is needed. 

All-new graduate students, J-1 status are required to attend the on-campus orientation Graduate Student Orientation on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at the Fairfax campus. Sessions include Immigration Compliance, the Honor Code, and Campus Resources. 

Welcome to Mason and we are very excited for you to be joining our dynamic international student community!

Questions? Email OIPS at oipsprog@gmu.edu