Winter Break 2024

Yes. Students who access their space at any point over the winter break (aside from the extended stay/early arrival periods) will be assessed the $350 fee. Residents must apply for extended stay and/or early arrival to retain access to their space after 5:00 p.m. December 18-9:00 until 9:00 a.m. December 23.  Residents who wish to return to their space before the residence halls open on January 17 will need to apply for either early arrival housing, which grants access beginning at 10:00am on January 12, or apply for winter break housing.

Yes. Residents who need extended stay housing for the fall semester and early arrival housing for Spring 2025 will need to select the option that includes both extended stay and early arrival on the application. Students who are not sure if they need both Fall Extended Stay and Spring Early Arrival should apply for both. After an application has been submitted, it cannot be changed (i.e. a student cannot apply for only Fall Extended Stay and later add on Spring Early Arrival or vice versa).

Residents who have a change of circumstances during the winter break will need to go to the Eisenhower or Piedmont Desk to agree to the terms of Winter Break Housing and have their access restored. Regardless of the date, a resident requests Winter Break Housing, the $350 fee will be assessed. The fee is non-refundable and will not be pro-rated based on the dates the resident accesses their space.

It Depends. Only new residents who are registered for winter orientation and current residents who have both a Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 booking are eligible for any of the Winter Break Housing Options processes. Residents who are new and attending winter orientation will receive an early arrival confirmation and instructions on what to do for move-in after the university reopens on January 6.

Yes. Residents who are moving to a new space for the Spring 2025 semester are eligible for Fall Extended Stay, Winter Break Housing, and/or Spring Early Arrival Housing. Should this apply to you, be sure to note the following:

• If the resident will be part of Fall Extended Stay, then residents will need to completely move out and check out by 9:00 a.m. on Monday, December 23. This means that residents will need to remove all of their belongings, clean their space, return it to its original configuration, and return their keys before leaving for the winter break. 
• If you are participating in Winter Break Housing, you will be able to keep your items in your Fall 24 space until your Spring 25 space is ready. Residents who select this option must complete their move on January 6-7. Residents will have 24 hours to complete their move. Should a resident not be able to complete the move themselves, then the resident will be responsible for making alternative arrangements to have their items moved or be responsible for any fees associated with Housing completing the move for them.
• If you are participating in Spring Early Arrival, you will be able to move into your Spring 2025 space beginning at 10:00 a.m. on January 12. Similar to residents who did not participate in any part of Winter Break Housing or took part in the Fall Extended Stay process, residents will need to completely move out and check out before leaving for the winter break.. This means that residents will need to remove all of their belongings, clean their space, return it to its original configuration, return any hard keys that were issued (Townhouses only), and complete the online Express Checkout Form in the Housing Portal before leaving for the winter break. 

Craving for your favorite food? Check the winter break dining hours before stepping outside into the cold.

• Dining Hall: The Globe dining hall (Open Daily 10:30 am - 7 pm)
• Retail Locations: Limited options, see hours & locations
• Grubhub+: $0 delivery for orders $18+ (Activate here)

Purchase with Credit/Debit Cards, Cash, or Mason Money

Fall Meal Plan Access Dates:

• Last Day to Use Meal Swipes: Wednesday, December 18
• Last Day to Use Dining Dollars: Tuesday, December 31
• Fall Independence Ultimate and INTO Independence swipe access ends on Tuesday, December 31.

Spring Meal Plan Access Dates:

• Spring Independence Ultimate and INTO Independence swipe access begins on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
• Dining Dollar access begins on Sunday, January 12

Meal Swipes access begins on Friday, January 17

There are three major airports located in the Washington, D.C. metro area: Dulles International Airport (IAD), Ronald Reagan Washington International Airport (DCA), and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). Click here for information about each airport and transportation options.

If your card is lost or stolen, log into the Online Mason Card Office and select "Lost/Stolen Card" to deactivate your Mason ID to prevent any unauthorized usage of Mason Money and meal plans. Visit the Mason Card Office during business hours to get a replacement card. There is a $25 fee for a card replacement. 

You may also activate your Mason Mobile ID on your mobile devices to access your meal plans, residence halls, and campus services. 

Whether you plan to travel afar or stay locally, check out information on various ridesharing options, Mason shuttles, and parking information. Plan your trip -- https://transportation.gmu.edu/winter-break/