Spring 2026 Move-in Info
Welcome to Living on Campus, Spring 2026! We will update this page with move-in details, like what to bring, where to check-in, and an overview of the move-in process.
General Move-In: January 16th
Residents attending Spring orientation sessions will be automatically approved for early arrival move-in on January 11th. Only approved residents will be eligible for early arrival. The general move-in period for Spring 2026 will begin at 10:00 am on January 16th.
All residents who have been approved for Early Arrival housing will be able to access their assigned space beginning at 9:00 am on January 11.
Access will be loaded to the resident's Mason ID, so new students should have their Mason ID with them when arriving on campus. Instructions on obtaining their Mason Mobile ID can be found here. Residents who do not have an ID when arriving on campus will need to visit the Eisenhower or Piedmont Desk to receive a temporary access card.
Residents who may be arriving after hours (10:00 pm or later) should be considerate and alert their roommates that they will be arriving later in the evening.
Residents who have not yet moved in will be able to access their assigned space beginning at 9:00 am on January 16.
Access will be loaded to the resident's Mason ID, so new students should have their Mason ID with them when arriving on campus. Instructions on obtaining their Mason Mobile ID can be found here. Residents who do not have an ID when arriving on campus will need to visit the Eisenhower or Piedmont Desk to receive a temporary access card.
Residents who may be arriving after hours (10:00 pm or later) should be considerate and alert their roommates that they will be arriving later in the evening.
Renter's Insurance
Renter's insurance is strongly recommended for all residential students to protect personal belongings while in the residence halls. Housing and Residence Life partners with GradGuard to offer renter's insurance to residents. Residents are not required to purchase renter's insurance, nor are they required to purchase renter's insurance from GradGuard.
GradGuard
You can sign up for GradGuard when submitting your housing application or directly contact GradGuard to purchase renter's insurance. Renter's insurance can usually be added with house insurance or car insurance policies. Additional information about purchasing renter's insurance can be found here
If you have obtained your Mason NetID, log in with your NetID and password. Your NetID is the beginning of your gmu.edu email account. You can get access to meal plans, housing policies, room policies, and more!
Before you move in, it’s good to get familiar with the room measurements. Check out this link below! Decorating your room is one of the ways you can begin making a comfortable and home-like space for yourself. Remember, consult with your roommate and the Mason Housing facilities team for advice when decorating your room.
A Mason NetID (username) is a unique personal identifier that enables you to access online systems that use the Patriot Pass Password Management System. It serves as your login to many university computing and networking services and also determines your Mason email address, which is NetID@gmu.edu.
This agreement (“Agreement”) governs the relationship between George Mason University (“University” or “Mason”) and any student living in Mason-managed housing (“Resident”). Housing and Residence Life (“HRL”) is the division of Mason responsible for student housing.
Housing and Residence Life at George Mason University provides a safe inclusive community-oriented environment that supports academic excellence, fosters personal growth and champions the well-being of residents, through collaboration and intentional programming, to ensure their success at Mason and beyond
Breez provides our residential students with convenient and affordable solutions for their room refrigeration needs. They offer the sustainable, energy-efficient MicroFridge unit — a fridge, freezer, and microwave all-in-one. For your convenience, order a fridge straight-to-your-room delivery before you arrive!
Enjoy a wide selection of food options, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergy-friendly, Kosher, and Halal options. Choose from a variety of plans that suit your lifestyle and preferences – from 5 all-you-care-to-eat in our dining halls to 30+ retail locations across three campuses. Check out our meal plan options or take the dining quiz to see which plan is the best fit for you.
The meal plan portal is open now. Select your meal plans today, and the spring meal plan will be activated on January 17, 2026.
Get Your Mason ID Card
Add your Mason ID to your mobile devices and conveniently access your meal plans, Mason Money, building entrances, and all campus services at your fingertips. If you want to opt for a physical Mason ID, visit the Mason Card Office during business hours.
Purchase Your Parking Permit
Spring 2026 parking permits are available online at parking.gmu.edu following the schedule below:
- Seniors/Graduate Students/Faculty/Staff – Monday, January 5, 8 am ET
- Juniors/Sophomores – Tuesday, January 6, 8 am ET
- Freshmen and Others – Wednesday, January 7, 8 am ET
Surface lot permits rarely sell out immediately, although reserved lot and parking deck permit types with limited quantity tend to sell out quicker. Permits are available to purchase throughout the semester, as are daily, weekly, and monthly options.
To purchase a permit:
- Sign in to the parking portal with your George Mason credential
- Select your permit options. To view a full list of semester permit options, visit parking.gmu.edu.
- Associate the permit with your vehicle.
- Make a payment with Visa, Mastercard, or electronic check.
The permit will be activated immediately after your purchase.
Deposit Mason Money
Deposit Mason Money funds onto your Mason ID and conveniently make purchases on and off campuses, such as printing services, vending machines, the Bookstore, Patriot Tech, retail dining, Student Health Center, fitness centers, and more.
Manage Your Mailbox/Packages
Send and receive mail and packages on campus and learn the proper way to use on-campus delivery addresses. Sign up for the Mail Hub text alert and be the first to know when your packages are ready for pickup at our smart lockers. Find out more about how to manage your mailbox
Explore More shopMason Options! Find out other ways to amplify your campus experience, such as:
The Corner Pocket game room membership for unlimited arcade, table, or video games.
Reserve study rooms for upcoming exams, group projects, team meetings, focus learning, and more.
Rent a locker in the Johnson Center and save your time from running back to residence halls between classes.
Get up to 25% discounts from local businesses with Mason ID and explore 175+ deals in food & drink, entertainment, beauty & spa, health & fitness, technology, and more!
Where can I park to unload?
Housing and Residence Life issues a temporary unloading pass, good for up to 2 hours, during the move-in period.
Parking for students moving into the Shenandoah area of campus (Liberty Square, Potomac Heights, Presidents Park, or Taylor) will be able to park and unload in Lot R, Washington Lot, or Krasnow Lots. The fire lanes will be closed to residents who are unloading.
Students moving into Whitetop or Rogers can park and unload in Lot I.
The Rappahannock Deck (levels 1-2) will be available to students moving into Blueridge, Eastern Shore, Hampton Roads, Northern Neck, Piedmont, Sandbridge, Tidewater, or University Commons. Parking along Chesapeake River Lane is prohibited.
Townhouse residents can unload in the space closest to their unit. ACGC residents can unload in the ACGC Parking Garage.
After unloading, residents will need to relocate their cars to their assigned lot and have a valid GMU parking permit linked to their vehicle. Guests can park in designated guest parking spaces. GMU parking maps are available here.
Where can I check-in?
Residents do not need to officially check in for the spring semester. Access will be placed on the resident's Mason ID beginning on their move-in date (January 11 for approved Early Arrival Residents or January 16 for general move-in).
Can I use a green bin to help move belongings into my space?
Yes. Green bins will be available for checkout at Eisenhower and Piedmont Halls.
Download the Shuttle Tracker and Check the Schedules
Whether you are traveling across the campus or hopping between regional campuses, shopping centers, or metro stations, George Mason shuttles conveniently provide pickup and drop-off at 50+ stops on and off campus. Free and exclusive for Patriots with valid Mason IDs. Download the Transloc App for real-time shuttle tracking.