Financial Aid and Scholarships

Freshmen applicants are encouraged to apply to Mason by the November 1 Early Action deadline for full university scholarship consideration.

Game Design at Mason wants every interested student to have the ability to pursue their education and develop their talent and skills. Scholarship opportunities are open to all students, undergraduate and graduate, unless otherwise noted. 

Opportunities specific to the Game Design program are detailed below, and we strongly encourage students to apply by the November 1 early action deadline to also be considered for university admission scholarships. 

Scholarships

Computer Game Scholarship Fund and Program Support Fund 

These are two funds to which people may donate at any time. The Scholarship fund is also used to allocate the scholarship awards. The funds provides scholarships for and general operating support to the Computer Game Design Program. 

The Beck Family Scholarship for Computer Game Design 

This award is named in honor of the Beck Family, who have been strong supporters of the Computer Game Design Program. 

The award provides lasting support for scholarships for undergraduate students in Computer Game Design. Recipients may be full-time or part-time, in-state or out-of-state residents, and will qualify on the basis of both academic merit and unmet financial need. We invite students to apply for this scholarship each Spring and will send a link to an online application form at that time. Students may reapply yearly.

The purpose of the Fund is to provide scholarship support for undergraduate and graduate students in the Computer Game Design (CGD) program in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Recipients may be full-time or part-time students and in-state or out-of-state residents. Recipients will qualify on the basis of both academic merit and unmet financial need. Applicants must have completed one academic year (at least twelve credits) at Mason with a GPA of 3.25 or greater. Applicants should write a personal statement regarding their request for scholarship assistance, along with how it will help them realize their future goal of becoming game design/development professionals and submit a portfolio of their work for consideration. The scholarship will be awarded annually and is renewable.

For the 2023 Back Family Scholarship for Computer Game Design, you must submit your application materials by 11:59 PM on May 26, 2023. You may address any inquiries or questions to Ms. Mary Bean, Academic Program and Office Manager, Computer Game Design (mbean3@gmu.edu).

Applications to apply for the Beck Scholarship are sent out via email to current students only.

Pursuing a career in the gaming industry is something I look forward to....Receiving this scholarship not only supports my family in financing my education but also motivates me to maintain the standard of academic excellence that I have set for myself. Thank you again for believing in students like myself and supporting our ability to focus on our studies while attending George Mason University through your support of scholarship programs.

Ian Lang, rising sophomore, written to Tencent
Scholarship Awardees at a former Tencent Scholar Award Breakfast!
Scholarship Awardees at a former Tencent Scholar Award Breakfast! 

Tencent America Merit Undergraduate/Graduate Scholarship

The scholarship provides support for undergraduate students enrolled in the Computer Game Design Program. Recipients must be full-time students, in-state, out-of-state, or international students, and will qualify on the basis of academic merit. We invite students to apply for this scholarship each Spring and will send a link to an online application form at that time. Scholarships are renewable and students may reapply yearly.

Applications to apply to the scholarship are sent out to all Game Design students as well as high school and transfer students who have applied and been accepted to the program.

Academic Works

Academic Works is a useful tool for searching many scholarships across colleges and programs here at George Mason University.