Graduate Scholarships

The Costello Scholarship honors the legacy of Donald G. Costello by recognizing and rewarding new students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance, entrepreneurship or leadership potential, and a commitment to achievement. This prestigious scholarship is determined during the application review process, and all master’s candidates are considered automatically—no separate application is necessary.

The Dean’s Scholarship is a merit-based award for new students who represent the mission of the Costello College of Business. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement and a commitment to lifelong learning. This award is considered during the application review process, and all Flex MBA candidates are automatically eligible—no separate application is required.

The Michael S. VanPatten Family Endowed Scholarship, founded by Mason alumnus Michael VanPatten (MBA ’90), aims to support high-achieving MBA students who have completed at least two courses in the program. Inspired by his positive experiences at Mason, where instructors provided practical industry insights and personalized support, VanPatten maintained a strong connection with the university, contributing through alumni engagements and networking events in Atlanta. His scholarship reflects his commitment to giving back, motivated by the mentorship he received throughout his education and career. As the chief financial officer at Anteriad, he continues to support students and encourage their professional growth, ensuring that future MBA students can benefit from the same impactful education he experienced. Learn more here.

The Dean’s Scholarship is presented to students who embody the mission of the Costello College of Business by demonstrating outstanding scholarship, ethical leadership, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Recipients of this award are dedicated to making a positive impact in the global business environment and advancing the ideals of diversity, integrity, and intellectual growth.

The Costello College of Business at George Mason University, in partnership with the Deloitte Foundation, will provide a limited number of full scholarships (excluding books and living expenses) to select students pursuing the Costello master’s in accounting for the 2025-26 academic year. The Deloitte Foundation Accounting Scholars Program goal is to help students meet the 150-credit-hour requirement for CPA eligibility, to support a diverse student population, and to expand the pipeline of talent entering the CPA profession.

We encourage applications from candidates who understand the unique challenges faced by underrepresented groups in public accounting, including first-generation college students and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. If you’re passionate about a career in public accounting or taxation and motivated to earn your CPA, we invite you to apply—George Mason University welcomes all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or other legally protected statuses.

Eligibility

Students must apply by the Priority Deadline and must meet the following criteria:

• Current enrollment in an accredited college or university in the United States.
• Demonstrate a strong academic track record with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Meet the admission standards for the Master of Accounting program at the Costello College of Business.

Selected recipients must:

• Enroll in the Costello master’s in accounting program in August 2025 or January 2026 and complete the program no later than the end of the 2025-26 academic year.
• Have the ability to reside in the U.S. and the intention to pursue career opportunities in the U.S. after graduating. Limited to US Citizens and permanent residents.

Application Requirements

We ask that interested candidates submit a supplemental essay as part of their application for admission, no additional application is needed for consideration. In the supplemental essay, please address the following question: What makes you a strong candidate for the Deloitte Foundation Accounting Scholars Program? In your response, include:

• how you meet the scholarship’s eligibility requirements.
• your commitment to becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
• your demonstrated appreciation of challenges faced by members of demographic groups that are disproportionately under-represented in the field of public accountancy in comparison to the general population.

The Dean’s Scholarship is a merit-based award for new students who represent the mission of the Costello College of Business. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement and a commitment to lifelong learning. This award is determined during application review and all MS in Business Analytics candidates are eligible.

The Dean’s Scholarship is a merit-based award for new students who represent the mission of the Costello College of Business. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement and a commitment to lifelong learning. This award is determined during application review and all MS in Finance candidates are eligible.

The Dean’s Scholarship is a merit-based award for new students who represent the mission of the Costello College of Business. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement and a commitment to lifelong learning. This award is determined during application review and all MS in Management candidates are eligible.

The Dean’s Scholarship is presented to students who embody the mission of the Costello College of Business by demonstrating outstanding scholarship, ethical leadership, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Recipients of this award are dedicated to making a positive impact in the global business environment and advancing the ideals of diversity, integrity, and intellectual growth.

The EagleBank Scholarship awards $10,000 each to two Master of Science in Real Estate Development students who are pursuing a career in the Washington, D.C., region in the field of real estate development. Recipients must be enrolled in Mason’s Master of Science in Real Estate Development program. Preference is given to Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland residents. 

Application Requirements

• Must submit a professional letter of recommendation from a current or past employer in the real estate industry. A letter from a client is acceptable provided the relationship has been professional and long-standing 
• Must submit an essay between 500 and 1,000 words, answering two of the following questions:
  • What do you see as the next significant challenge facing developers in our market and why? 
  • Assuming it was feasible to develop any project in Arlington that you wanted, what would you choose and why? 
  • Please give an example of a professional contribution you have made to the real estate industry thus far in your career. 
  • During the award of last year’s scholarships, EagleBank CEO Ron Paul discussed the importance of good leadership with the recipients. He believes there are six important elements to leadership; please describe how you have exemplified one of these six elements. 
    • making an active contribution
    • developing & maintaining relationships
    • taking ownership/responsibility 
    • developing expertise 
    • developing a vision 
    • living a life worth living 

This $6,000 scholarship is awarded in the fall semester with preference to one or more incoming first-year Master of Science in Real Estate Development students from groups underrepresented in the real estate industry and/or contributing to diversity and inclusion in the real estate industry and George Mason University.

The $5,000 Peterson Family Scholarship is awarded each fall to one incoming Master of Science in Real Estate Development student who reflects the Peterson Companies’ dedication to developing thriving communities that offer a sense of place. Preference will be given to Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland residents with at least two years of professional work experience in some sector of the commercial real estate development industry (including large-scale residential). Examples of relevant sectors include, but are not limited to, brokers, architects, civil engineers, construction managers, lenders, and real estate attorneys.

The recipient of the $5,000 Northern Virginia Building Industry Association (NVBIA) Past Presidents Scholarship must be an incoming graduate student in the Master of Science in Real Estate Development (MSRED) program and must reflect the Northern Virginia Building Industry’s dedication to developing thriving residential communities in the Washington D.C. metropolitan region. Preference will be given to residents of Virginia, with at least two years of professional work experience in some sector of the residential homebuilding industry (including large-scale residential).

This $3,000 Scholarship is awarded to one incoming Master of Science in Real Estate Development student who has the support of a senior member of the real estate development industry, as demonstrated by a letter of reference from an industry executive. Strength of the support will be reviewed based on the seniority, professional reputation, scope of business, and industry participation of the supporting executive and firm. Preference will be given to Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland residents with at least one year of professional work experience in some sector of the commercial real estate development industry (including large-scale residential). Examples of relevant sectors include, but are not limited to, brokers, architects, civil engineers, construction managers, lenders, and real estate attorneys. More than one scholarship may be awarded.

The $2,000 Wulff Scholarship is awarded each fall to one incoming Master of Science in Real Estate Development student who has made notable professional contributions in the field of real estate development. 

The recipient of the Wulff Scholarship must meet the following criteria: 

• An incoming Master of Science in Real Estate Development student beginning their first semester in the fall who has accepted admission and paid the fall enrollment deposit
• Has submitted a “Professional Project Portfolio” to include the following three points:
  • A list of no more than five projects/deals the student has worked on in a professional capacity and include relevant project details 
  • A brief description of the student’s role and contribution to the project/deal 
  • A summary of why the student believes these were successful projects/deals

Preference will be given to scholarship applicants with five or more years of professional work experience in some sector of the commercial real estate development industry (including large-scale residential). Examples of relevant sectors include, but are not limited to: brokers, architects, civil engineers, construction managers, lenders, and real estate attorneys.