Season's Greetings!
Students who wish to retain access to their space past closing must complete the Winter Break Housing Options application in the Housing Portal and select the option (Fall Extended Stay, Winter Break Housing, or Spring Early Arrival) that applies to their situation. Students who wish to apply for a Fall 2025 extended stay or 2025 Winter Break Housing will need to apply via the Winter Break Housing Options application in the Housing Portal between 10:00 am on October 30- 11:59 pm on December 1st. The Spring 2026 Early Arrival application will remain open until January 4th.
When Leaving for Winter Break, don't forget to:
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Remove all trash and dispose of any open food items
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Turn off the lights
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Set the thermostat between 70-72 degrees or low-medium setting with fan on AUTO
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Unplug & defrost the refrigerator; we recommend that you leave the door open and place a towel under it to catch any liquids
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Take any belongings residents wish to use over the winter break (clothes, medications, electronics, game systems, etc...)
Apply for Winter Break Housing to Retain Access
Residents must apply for winter break housing in order to retain access to their space. If you are approved for Winter Break Housing, you will be assessed a $350 fee, which will be added to your Spring 2026 housing bill.
Graduating Seniors & Extended Stay Roster
Graduating seniors are eligible to stay until December 22, 9:00 a.m. Graduating seniors will be automatically added to the extended stay roster.
If You Did Not Apply for Extended Stay
If you did not apply for extended stay or winter break housing, you will need to check out for the fall semester within 24 hours of your last final, on December 17, by 5.00pm
Extended Stay Housing - Avoid Charges
Residents who are approved for extended stay cannot request to stay past 9:00 a.m. on December 22 and do not need to notify housing if they plan to leave earlier than initially planned.
Students who applied for extended stay housing have been automatically approved and must leave for winter break by 9:00 a.m.on December 22 to avoid charges for Winter Break Housing. Residents who are approved for extended stay cannot request to stay past 9:00 a.m. on December 22 and do not need to notify housing if they plan to leave earlier than initially planned.
Residents who cancel their Spring 2026 housing assignment after applying for extended stay housing will have their application canceled and will need to vacate within the timeline communicated in their housing cancellation confirmation.
Winter Break Housing
Residents who apply for and are approved for Winter Break Housing will be assessed a $350 fee, which will be added to their Spring 2026 billing. All residence halls are considered closed for the winter break, and only those who have been approved for winter break housing will retain access to their space. The $350 Winter Break Housing fee is non-refundable after the application has been approved and will not be pro-rated based on the amount of time the residents access their space over the winter break. Residents who do not apply for Winter Break Housing but later request access or access their space without applying will be assessed the $350 fee.
Graduating Residents
Residents who are graduating will need to apply and be approved for graduation by the Registrar's Office. Housing and Residence Life works with the Registrar's Office to obtain rosters of those who are graduating at the end of the Fall 2025 semester. Residents who are graduating will need to cancel their Spring 2026 Housing Assignment by submitting an Agreement Release Request through the Housing Portal. (unless you are returning for a graduate program at Mason) and check out by 9:00 a.m. on December 22. Graduating residents are not eligible for housing throughout the winter break unless they are returning to Mason housing for Spring 2026.
Residents Not Returning for Spring 2026
Residents who have been released from their housing agreement for Spring 2026 and will not be returning to on-campus housing will need to complete an Agreement Release Request through the Housing Portal. Approval is needed before students are released from their Spring 2026 housing agreement. Residents who are provided a release will need to check out by December 17th at 5:00 p.m. and are not eligible for an extended stay. Residents not returning for Spring 2026 are not eligible for any of the winter break housing options and will have their application canceled.
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- Last Day to Use Meal Swipes: Wednesday, December 17
- Last Day to Use Dining Dollars: Wednesday, December 31
- Fall Independence Ultimate and INTO Independence swipe access ends on Wednesday, December 31.
Note: Unused meal swipes will be zeroed out and are not refundable. Any unused dining dollar balance will roll over into the Spring 2026 rollover account.
Winter Break Hours of Operation
December 18 - January 15, 2026
Limited options available, see hours & locations for the latest update.
Download the DineOnCampus app ( Apple | Android ) to check the latest hours and menus at all dining locations.
Spring Independence Ultimate and INTO Independence swipe access begins on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
Dining Dollar access begins on Sunday, January 11
Meal Swipes access begins on Friday, January 16
Don’t have a spring meal plan? Purchase online (Coming Soon!) or take the dining quiz to find out which plan matches your spring schedule.
I only plan to stay in the residence halls a couple of days over the winter break. Do I need to pay the $350 fee?
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 17-9:00 until 9:00 a.m. December 22. Residents who wish to return to their space before the residence halls open on January 16 will need to apply for either early arrival housing, which grants access beginning at 10:00am on January 11, or apply for winter break housing.
Can I apply for both Fall 2025 Extended Stay and Spring 2026 Early Arrival?
Yes. Residents who need extended stay housing for the fall semester and early arrival housing for Spring 2026 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).
What happens if my circumstances change and I need Winter Break Housing after the halls have closed?
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.
I will be new to housing for Spring 2026. Am I eligible for any of the above processes?
It Depends. Only new residents who are registered for winter orientation and current residents who have both a Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 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.
I am moving rooms mid-year/over the winter break. Am I eligible for any of the above processes?
Yes. Residents who are moving to a new space for the Spring 2026 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 22. 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 25 space until your Spring 26 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 2026 space beginning at 10:00 a.m. on January 11. 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.
When can I get food on campus during Thanksgiving and Winter Break?
- On-campus dining options– Dining halls and retail locations will have limited hours and options available between December 18 - January 15, 2026. Check the hours and menu online ahead before stepping into the cold.
- Off-campus dining options– Use Grubhub+ for $0 delivery on orders $18+ (Activate here). Purchase with Credit/Debit Cards, Cash, or Mason Money.
How to get to the airport from the campus?
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.
I lost my Mason ID. What should I do?
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.
Are there shuttles available to grocery stores, local areas, and public transit centers?
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/