Consideration for release from the Agreement should fall into one or more of the following categories:

• participation in an approved study abroad program
• graduation
• withdrawal from Mason
• a medical condition that precludes the possibility of living on campus
• a significant and unforeseen change in financial status
• marriage
  

Residents requesting a release must establish, through supporting third party documentation, the following:

• A significant, uncontrollable, and unforeseen change in circumstance has occurred since; the time the Agreement was signed, which has created a special need (categories stated above)
• George Mason University has no other form of housing that will meet this need.
  

All approved cancellations will incur a cancellation fee in addition to pro-rated costs for the period of residence.  Rent charges will continue to accrue until the resident has properly checked out and returned his/her room keys to the appropriate Area Desk.

The Process for Requesting an Agreement Release

1. Applicants must obtain, complete, and submit an Agreement Release Request and all necessary documentation to the OHRL.
2. The request will be reviewed and a decision will be communicated to the applicant via e-mail, usually within 7 business days.
3. Applicants may choose to check out of their on campus space pending a decision, but if the request is denied, they will still be responsible for paying rent charges for a space on-campus.
4. If an Agreement Release Request is denied, a student may submit an Agreement Release Appeal.  Agreement Release Appeals will only be accepted if additional information, not available at the time of your original request, has become available. Agreement Release Appeals that do not include additional information will not be accepted. All Release Appeals and new documentation must be in writing.
   

Necessary Documentation
The following is a list of the reasons for which a student may request release from the Residence Hall License Agreement and the third party documentation that is required for support. Requests submitted without third party documentation will not be considered. Generally, personal letters from family and friends are not considered to be valid forms of third party documentation.
 

Reason	Documentation Required
Graduation & Study Abroad	Applicants that will vacate their residence for spring semester due to graduation or study abroad must submit an Intent to Vacate for Spring Semester form to the OHRL. Details about deadlines pertaining to this process are published annually in the Guide to Pride.
Marriage	Applicants must submit an Agreement Release Request. Applicants must provide a certified copy of the marriage license which bears a raised seal. The release, if granted, will be approved up to one week prior to the date of the marriage when the marriage does not occur between semesters.
Medical	Applicants must submit an Agreement Release Request. Applicants must provide a specific medical diagnosis from the treating physician or psychologist. Supporting documentation should include: complete history of the illness; date illness was diagnosed; type of treatment prescribed; last contact with the doctor regarding the illness; expected duration of the illness; and ways that living in the residence hall contributes to the illness. Students may also be referred for consultation with the Disability Resource Center or Student Health Services as appropriate.
Financial	Applicants must submit an Agreement Release Request. Financial reasons for release will be considered only if it can be verified that a significant, uncontrollable, and unforeseen change in the financial status of a student’s family or background has occurred since the Agreement was signed. Supporting documentation must positively demonstrate a significant financial change. Examples might include the death of a parent, permanent lay-off of a parent, family bankruptcy, etc.
Withdrawal from MASON	Applicants must submit an Agreement Release Request. Release will take place following verification of student’s withdrawal from Mason.
Other	Applicants must submit an Agreement Release Request. For reasons other than those listed the applicant must be very specific and extensive in his/her explanation of the significant, uncontrollable, and unforeseen change that has occurred, since the time that the Agreement was signed, which now requires release from the Agreement. Third party documentation that proves and supports the change must be provided.