PROGRAM FAQS

Spring and Fall MGTA Program: $595 per class.

Summer MGTA Program Fairfax: $695 per class.

Virtual Academy: $495 – $595 per class

Summer MGTA Honors Program:
The price for MGTA-Envision residential courses are listed on the Envision registration site HERE.

Notice of withdrawal from classes and all requests for refunds before classes begin must be made in writing to Mason Game and Technology Academy. This can be done by emailing jemswill@gmu.edu with the students name and the class they are in. Verbal notice or requests from students or parents CANNOT be accepted.

Requests for withdrawal/refund made at least one week prior to the first class are 100% refundable, less the registration fee. Requests for withdrawal/refund made less than 7 days prior to the first class but BEFORE the SECOND class will result in a 50% refund of the tuition, less the registration fee. There is no refund after the second class. Any supply or material fee is not refundable when withdrawal request is made less than 7 days prior to the first class. Registration fees and service charges are non-refundable.

Refunds will be issued through our online registration system. Refunds are processed within 30 days of notification.

In the event that a class does not meet sufficient enrollment to run the class, Mason Game and Technology Academy reserves the right to cancel any class if necessary. A full refund will be given in this event.

Summer:
MGTA Prep classes are Monday-Friday from 9:00AM to 4:00PM each day, with an hour break for lunch and additional snack breaks.
MGTA Honors classes are Monday-Friday from 9:00AM to 5:00PM each day, with an hour break for lunch and additional breaks for guest speakers.

Spring and Fall:
MGTA Prep class hours are Saturdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm with a 45 minute break for lunch and a 15 minute snack/social time.

A 10% discount is available for current GMU Faculty & Staff as well as active and retired members of the Military.

George Mason University Fairfax Campus: 4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030

Location of Classes: Art and Design Building at 4515 Patriot Cir, Fairfax, VA 22030

For more specific instructions, please go HERE. 

George Mason University Prince William SciTech Campus: 10900 University Blvd, Manassas, VA 201100

Location of Classes:  Virginia Serious Games Institute: 10900 University Blvd. Katherine G. Johnson Hall Suite 147, Manassas, VA 20110

For more specific instructions, please go HERE. 

Parking on the Mason Fairfax Campus requires a parking pass and is not included in the cost of the program.  Visitors or students parking on campus must pre-purchase a pass online for the general lots for $8/day or $25/week. Short term parking is available in several visitor parking decks for $3/hour during the week or $8 flat rate on the weekend.

IMPORTANT: If a parent of a summer program participant is doing Drop-off and Pick-up, a parking pass is NOT needed, as there are specific staff-guided procedures to follow.  Parents (or any adults) who wish to stay on campus during program hours,  or any students who will drive themselves, MUST either park in a deck or pre-purchase a general lot pass for Lot A or Lot K.  Passes are purchased directly from George Mason University and should be printed out at home.  Download a campus map here for locations of general lots and parking deck options.

PURCHASE A DAILY OR WEEKLY PARKING PASS FOR MASON FAIRFAX CAMPUS HERE.

Updates will be made about campus parking on a semester by semester basis. 

For questions about parking, you can contact GMU Parking Services by calling (703) 993-2710 or sending an e-mail to parking@gmu.edu.

Parking on the Mason Prince William Sci-Tech Campus requires a parking pass. These passes are provided by MGTA as needed for MGTA classes held at the VSGI.

 Also, Visitors or students parking on campus have the option to purchase a parking pass. For more information, please go HERE.

IMPORTANT: If a parent of a MGTA-Freedom Center summer program participant is doing Drop-off and Pick-up, a parking pass is NOT needed, as there are specific staff-guided procedures to follow.  

Map and Instructions can be found HERE. 

Updates will be made about campus parking on a semester by semester basis. For questions about parking, you can contact GMU Parking Services by calling (703) 993-2710 or sending an e-mail to parking@gmu.edu.

If the university is closed due to inclement weather, MGTA camps are canceled.

 Text masonalert to 226787 to receive text messages about emergencies on campus and changes to campus operations.  You will receive emergency text message notifications until you text STOP to 226787.

Message and data rates may apply. Text messages are sent on an as-needed basis. This service is provided per the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Text STOP to 226787 to cancel or HELP for tech support.

Late Arrivals: If you anticipate a late arrival, please email Josh Emswiller at jemswill@gmu.edu

Absences: If the participant is going to be absent for that day, please call us as soon as possible to let us know. Otherwise, a staff member will be calling you to check in.

Leaving Early: If participants must leave early, please send a note with them to hand to their instructor so that our staff can plan ahead.

If a participant does not feel well and may need to leave early, they should tell a staff member. We will contact the parent to assess the situation, and, if necessary to arrange a pick-up. For everyone’s safety and well-being, we cannot allow children with contagious or communicable disease to attend the program. In the rare case of serious illness/accident, a staff member will call 911 and then immediately contact the parent.

Each participant is provided a computer workstation. You should plan on bringing the following:

• An email address that the student can access (this is for the sake of setting up guest access for the campus Wi-Fi)
• If you child is registered for a Roblox class, they must have a Roblox account. Please send the account username and password written down, in case your child forgets.
• Packed lunch and snacks (non-refrigerated only)

Attire:

Participants should dress casually but appropriately.

Behavior:

In the rare case that a participant displays disruptive behavior and is a hindrance to the progress of the program, that participant (and parents of a minor) will receive a verbal warning. If the behavior continues, students will be asked to leave the program permanently with no refund granted. The following are examples of unacceptable behavior that will not be tolerated and will cause disciplinary action to be taken:

• Hitting/fighting/causing physical harm
• Verbal Assault
• Sexual misconduct
• Profanity/disrespect to staff or participants
• Refusal to cooperate
• Violation of rules and policies
• Possessing weapons/drugs/tobacco
• Stealing
• Biting/spitting
• Temper tantrums
• Leaving grounds
• Bullying

As we provide computer workstations for each participant, we expect that our equipment will be treated with respect. Any student who abuses MGTA equipment may be subject to expulsion without a refund. While we realize that many participants have cell phones, they should not use them during program hours except during scheduled breaks or in case of emergency. Other personal electronic devices, such as handheld game systems, may be brought for breaks, but may not be used without permission during class.

Mason Game and Technology Academy uses George Mason University’s Tax ID Number: 54-0836354.

The Mason Game and Technology Academy is committed to providing equal opportunity and an educational and work environment that is free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, income, or age. MGTA shall adhere to all applicable state and federal equal opportunity/affirmative action statutes and regulations.

Media Release Policy

As a reminder, when you register for our program, you accept the following waiver: “I do hereby grant and give these groups the right to use my or my child(s) photograph/video or image with or without my or my child’s name, both singly and in conjunction with other persons or objects and presentations, advertising, publicity, and promotion relating thereto.” Of course, any images/video from the program will be used strictly for organization promotional purposes only and with the utmost discretion, and student names will never be posted without special permission.

Participation Waiver

Agreed to during all registrations. The Mason Game and Technology Academy reserves the right to use photographs/video taken of students/participants during classes or programs for use in MGTA publications and social media channels for promotional purposes only. Student/ participant names will never be used unless express permission is obtained from the participant/ parent. “In consideration of my [and/or my child(s)] participation in this activity, I hereby release and discharge the Organization, and its representatives, successors, and assigns, from any and all liability arising from accident, injury, and illness that I (he/she) may suffer as a result of my (our) participation in this activity. I (we) also will follow the rules and regulations set by the Organization and above named parties. Parent or guardian must sign for anyone age 18 and under. I do hereby grant and give these groups the right to use my or my child(s) photograph/video or image, both singly and in conjunction with other persons or objects and presentations, advertising, publicity, and promotion relating thereto.”