University Mall Giant hoping to become first grocery store to accept Mason Money

As the Fairfax community and Mason continue to grow, the Mason Money program is also expanding. Perhaps the biggest sign of expansion is the decision of one Giant grocery store to begin working towards accepting Mason Money in 2012.

Giant is working to accept Mason Money at their University Mall store following 2012 renovations. (Jake McLernon)

Mason Money is a debit system where students and parents can deposit money into a student’s account, enabling students to make purchases with their student ID card.

According to store manager Dax Shumate, at least one Giant grocery store, located at University Mall on Braddock Rd., is working with Mason so that when the store is rebuilt in 2012, it will be able to accept Mason Money.

There are currently 15 off-campus store and dining venues accepting Mason Money. These include a Chipotle, CVS and Cinema Arts movie theater. The Giant store location would be the first grocery store to accept Mason Money. While Giant is excited about the possibility, they caution that it is a difficult process.

One reason the process of accepting Mason Money can be difficult is because stores like Giant contract their electronic fund transfer (EFT) machines to a different company named Verifone. This means when you swipe your Visa or Mastercard, Verifone processes your information and communicates with the bank. Since George Mason University is not a bank and Mason Money would be unique to this one Giant store, it may be difficult to get Verifone to change their system to work with Mason.

Despite the complications, manager Tom Pletcher believes that the financial incentive to change the machines to be “Mason friendly” is huge and worth the time and effort to the store.

On campus, Mason is using new technology to provide better service to its students.

Venues that generally have long lines such as La Patisserie, often referred to by students as “La Pat,” now have machines that create an express line for patrons with Mason Money.

According to Mason Money Manager Laura Callahan, there will be six of these machines around campus, giving students an alternative to waiting in line.

Also on campus, 80 Coca Cola and 20 snack machines will now be accepting Mason Money, as well as credit and debit cards.

The Mason Card Office website contains a complete list of both on and off campus venues that accept mason money.