Office of International Programs and Services

J-1 Graduate Students

There are 10 key steps you need to take from now until your first class.  It is important that you carefully review each step so that you do not miss any important deadlines or requirements.  To get started, click on the down arrow in front of each step.

Step 1: Activate your Patriot Pass and Mason Email Account

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.

Step 2: Register for Orientation

All new graduate students in J-1 graduate students are required to attend the on-campus orientation on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at the Fairfax campus. 

Register to attend orientation today: go.gmu.edu/IGSOregistration

Step 3: Explore the New to George Mason Guide

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

Chapter 1: What to pack (https://oips.gmu.edu/what-to-pack/)
Chapter 2: Travel to the US (https://oips.gmu.edu/travel-to-the-us/)
Chapter 3: Airport and public transportation (https://oips.gmu.edu/transportation/)
Chapter 4: Course registration: https://oips.gmu.edu/course-registration/
Chapter 5: American classroom culture: https://oips.gmu.edu/american-classroom-culture/
Chapter 6: Adjusting to Life at Mason: https://oips.gmu.edu/adjusting-to-life-at-mason/
Chapter 7: Managing your academic workload: https://oips.gmu.edu/managing-your-academic-workload/

Step 4: Submit your Immunization Records

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 byThursday, 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, and proof of immunization, or to print the Immunization form go to the Student Health Website. 

The deadline to submit theImmunization 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. 

Step 5: Submit your Mason ID Photo

Step 6: Register for Classes

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

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).

Step 7: Review Payment Options

  • George Mason University offers a variety of payment options (online, cash, check, credit card, payment installment plans).  To learn more about the payment methods, visit http://studentaccounts.gmu.edu/payment-information/
  • George Mason has partnered with Flywire to streamline the tuition payment process for our international students. Flywire allows students to pay from any country and any bank. They also offer excellent foreign exchange rates, allowing you to pay in your home currency (in most cases) and save a significant amount of money, compared to traditional banks. You will be able to track the progress of your payment throughout the transfer process via a student dashboard and you will also be notified via email when your payment is received by Mason. If you need to make an international payment, please visit Flywire.

Step 8: Complete International Student Check-In

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:

Step 9: Attend Orientation

All-new graduate students, J-1 status are required to attend the on-campus orientation Graduate Student Orientation onWednesday, August 21, 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

Step 10: Pay Fees

J-1 Graduate students:

1. Review your tuition and health insurance bill online:

  • Go to Patriot Web
  • Click on “Student Services”
  • Select “Student Accounts”

2. Pay your tuition by Monday, August 26, 2024 (4:30 pm):

  • George Mason University offers a variety of payment options (online, cash, check, credit card, payment installment plans).  To learn more about the payment methods, visit http://studentaccounts.gmu.edu/payment-information/
  • George Mason has partnered with Flywire to streamline the tuition payment process for our international students. Flywire allows students to pay from any country and any bank. They also offer excellent foreign exchange rates, allowing you to pay in your home currency (in most cases) and save a significant amount of money, compared to traditional banks. You will be able to track the progress of your payment throughout the transfer process via a student dashboard and you will also be notified via email when your payment is received by Mason. If you need to make an international payment, please visit Flywire.
  • You do not need to wait to pay your bill until Monday, August 26, 2024. You can pay in advance.  In case you paid too much, you can request a refund.  For more information, review the FAQs.