Mason is committed to protecting the best interests of all students, including our military and veteran students. As a public state institution of higher learning, we abide by both federal law and a guiding set of principles established by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).
The regulation known as ED 34 C.F.R 668.14 restricts the use of commission, bonus or other incentive pay to secure enrollments or the award of financial aid. Mason, a Title IV participant, follows the program participation agreement in 668.14.
Mason does not incentivize admissions, recruitment, enrollment. or financial aid as noted in section (i). It will not provide any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based in any part, directly or indirectly, upon success in securing enrollments or the award of financial aid, to any person or entity who is engaged in any student recruitment or admission activity or in making decisions regarding the award of Title IV, Higher Education Act (HEA) program funds.
The regulation known as ED 34 C.F.R 668.71-668.75 outlines substantial misrepresentation prohibited for participating schools in the Title IV program. Mason is dedicated to the highest standard and will not engage in behavior deemed a misrepresentation.
This is defined as any false, erroneous, or misleading statement that an eligible institution, one of its representatives, or any ineligible institution, organization, or person with whom the eligible institution has an agreement to provide educational programs, or to provide marketing, advertising, recruiting, or admissions services makes directly or indirectly to a student, prospective student, or any member of the public, or to an accrediting agency, to a state agency, or to the Secretary of Education.
- A misleading statement includes any statement that has the likelihood or tendency to deceive.
- A statement is any communication made in writing, visually, orally, or through other means.
- Misrepresentation includes the dissemination of a student endorsement or testimonial that a student gives either under duress or because the institution required the student to make such an endorsement or testimonial to participate in a program.
Mason is also compliant with the DoD MOU adhering to the following regulations:
- Ban inducements, including any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, transportation, lodging, meals, or other item having a monetary value of more than a de minimis [defined as "an insignificant amount"] to any individual or entity, or its agents including third party lead generators or marketing firms other than salaries paid to employees or fees paid to contractors in conformity with all applicable laws for the purpose of securing enrollments of Service members or obtaining access to TA funds. Educational institution sponsored scholarships or grants and tuition reductions available to military students are permissible
- Refrain from providing any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on securing enrollments or federal financial aid (including TA funds) to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting, admission activities, or making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance;
- Refrain from high-pressure recruitment tactics such as making multiple unsolicited contacts (3 or more), including contacts by phone, email, or in-person, and engaging in same-day recruitment and registration for the purpose of securing Service member enrollments.
Finally, Mason is a voting member of NACAC. We are committed to the Statement of Good Practice: NACAC's Code of Ethics and Professional Practices. As members of NACAC, we will not be compensated by commissions, bonuses, or other incentive payments based on the number of students referred, recruited, admitted, or enrolled and will not offer or accept any reward or remuneration.
Grievance Policy: The Virginia State Approving Agency (SAA), is the approving authority of education and training programs for Virginia. Our office investigates complaints of GI Bill beneficiaries. While most complaints should initially follow the school grievance policy, if the situation cannot be resolved at the school, the beneficiary should contact the SAA office via email saa@dvs virginia.gov.