Knack Tutoring

Knack is a company that helps provide tutoring at colleges and universities. Knack hires high-achieving students at George Mason University based on George Mason’s criteria, trains them as tutors, and provides a platform for Mason students to sign up for and receive tutoring. Knack hires the tutors and pays them an hourly wage. Knack delivers the program in collaboration with a campus liaison and team.

No. Knack is supplementing the other tutoring resources we have at George Mason. You can find more information on these here: https://learningservices.gmu.edu/tutoring-resources2/

The current list of 26 courses from Biology, Business, Chemistry, Global and Community Health, Government, Math, and Statistics.

Students verify that their class is supported by Knack tutoring.  They then create an account on Knack using their existing George Mason credentials (via Single Sign-On).

Students use the Knack website or mobile app to submit a request for a tutor. Qualified tutors will be notified about this request. Tutors review the details and message the student with an offer to help. If the student wants to engage with the tutor, they will message the tutor to determine a time and date to meet in person or online.

Yes, a student who is a George Mason tutor through another service can sign up to be a tutor with Knack if they meet the specified criteria. Their work with Knack will be independent from their work at George Mason. International students, please check the FAQ “Are international students eligible to be tutors with Knack?” for further information.

At this time, students with an F-1 or J-1 Visa may not apply to be a tutor with Knack. 

Other non-immigrant Visa holders may be eligible to apply to be a tutor with Knack if they meet the following criteria, including but not limited to: 

1. Have received permission to work in the U.S. from the organization sponsoring their Visa and have the appropriate documentation from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) such as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) 
2. Be physically present in the U.S. 
3. Have a Social Security Number, and 
4. Received a course grade of A- or above in a George Mason course in the past 2 years covered by Knack Peer Tutoring. 

George Mason sets peer tutor qualification requirements, primarily focused on minimum prior grade in the course and training. Knack then recruits and evaluates applicants.

Knack provides initial required training for tutors, and George Mason and Knack partner to encourage students to complete additional recommended training.

Knack tutors are paid $15/hour. The tutoring is free for students who use it.

Tutors and students must agree to uphold George Mason's code of conduct and academic standards policy while adhering to Knack’s strict Zero-Tolerance Policy for Academic Misconduct. Students who do not comply will have their access to Knack revoked. Any violations of academic standards are referred to George Mason.
   

Finally, post-session feedback and reporting allow users to flag one another as needed. Both tutors and the students receiving tutoring have this functionality. Knack investigates any such flags and will involve George Mason, as appropriate.

All tutoring occurs online or in public areas like Fenwick Library or the Johnson Center.  Residence hall rooms or off-campus locations are not approved for in-person tutoring. 
 

Students and tutors communicate through the Knack website or app, so they do not need to share personal contact information such as email addresses or phone numbers. When students schedule sessions, they are prompted to confirm awareness of safety recommendations and agreement with Knack and George Mason guidelines. More safety tips are in Knack’s Safety Help Article.

A student can request up to 3 hours per week of tutoring per class.

Knack tutors are allowed to work up to 15 hours per week.

To learn more about George Mason and Knack, email lsstaff@gmu.edu.