Massachusetts Scholarships

Who Is Eligible? To be eligible for the DCF Foster Child Tuition Waiver and Fee Assistance Program, a student must Be twenty-four years of age or under at the start of the academic year. Be a current or former foster child who was placed in the custody of the state through a Care and Protection Petition, or Be a child whose guardianship was sponsored by the Department of Children and Families through age 18. Have been in the custody of the Commonwealth for at least six months before age 18. Not have been adopted nor returned home. Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen. Be enrolled in an undergraduate degree, certificate or short-term certificate program, or be taking noncredit courses. Apply for financial aid, using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Not have received a prior bachelor's degree or its equivalent. Not be in default of any federal or state student loans or owe a refund for any previous financial aid received. Be in good standing and meet the institution's requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress. File a current year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligible Course Any state-supported course offered by an institution at a public college or university, excluding all graduate courses and courses in the MD program at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Eligible courses include those toward an undergraduate degree program, certificate program, short-term certificate program, and non-credit courses. Institutions are encouraged to develop waiver programs for eligible students that would provide a 50% tuition waiver for any non-state supported course and/or certificate programs. Eligible Institutions An institution within the system of public higher education under Section 5 of Chapter 15A of the General Laws. Award Amounts Students eligible for the DCF Foster Child Tuition Waiver and Fee Assistance Program are entitled to a tuition and fee waiver equal to 100% of the resident tuition rate, subject to budgetary appropriation, for eligible state-supported courses offered at the participating public higher education institution. How Do I Apply? Contact the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance at (617) 391-6070 to obtain more information and to inquire about application requirements or deadlines. Additionally, you must obtain eligibility documentation from the Department of Children and Families and present it to your campus financial aid office for consideration.

Who Is Eligible? To be eligible for the DCF Adopted Child Tuition Waiver and Fee Assistance Program, a student must: Be twenty-four years of age or under at the start of the academic year. Be in the custody of the Department of Children and Families and have been adopted by an eligible Massachusetts state employee through the Department of Children and Families, or; Be in the custody of the Department of Children and Families and have been adopted by an eligible Massachusetts resident through the Department of Children and Families. Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen. Be enrolled full time, half time, or part time in an eligible program or is taking an eligible course as defined. Be enrolled in an undergraduate degree, certificate or short-term certificate program, or be taking noncredit courses. Apply for financial aid, using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Not have received a prior bachelor's degree or its equivalent. Not be in default of any federal or state student loans or owe a refund for any previous financial aid received. Be in good standing and meet the institution's requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress. Eligible Course Any state-supported course offered by an institution at a public college or university, excluding all graduate courses and courses in the MD program at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Eligible courses include those toward an undergraduate degree program, certificate program, short-term certificate program, and non-credit courses. Institutions are encouraged to develop waiver programs for eligible students that would provide a 50% tuition waiver for any non-state supported course and/or certificate programs. Eligible State Employee And Residents Eligible state employees shall include all individuals determined to be Massachusetts State employees at the time of adoption of the eligible student including: All full and part-time Massachusetts state government employees employed by the state, for at least six months at the time of the adoption. Employees who were working for the state at the time of the adoption and continued to be employed by the state for at least six months after the adoption. Eligible Massachusetts residents shall include: All individuals determined to be Massachusetts state residents at the time of adoption of the eligible student. Eligible Institutions An institution within the system of public higher education under Section 5 Chapter 15A of the General Laws. Award Amounts Students eligible for the DCF Adopted Child Tuition Waiver and Fee Assistance program will be entitled to a tuition waiver and fee assistance equal to 100% of the resident rate, subject to budgetary appropriation, for eligible state-supported courses offered at the participating public higher education institutions. How Do I Apply? Contact the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance at (617) 391-6070 to obtain more information and to inquire about application requirements or deadlines. Additionally, you must obtain eligibility documentation from the Department of Children and Families and present it to your campus financial aid office for consideration.

The Graduate Tuition Waiver is another component of the Single Tuition Waiver program that provides incentives to individuals to enroll in graduate programs at Massachusetts public colleges and universities. It is the underlying principle of the Graduate Tuition Waiver policy that, by providing these incentives, the public higher education system will continue to improve student quality and maintain the collaboration that is necessary to the efficiency and effectiveness of the system. Who Is Eligible? To be eligible for a Graduate Tuition Waiver, a student must: Be enrolled in an eligible program and meeting the criteria established by the institution. Be a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen. Be in compliance with applicable Selective Service Registration Laws. Not be in default of any federal or state loan or owe a refund on any previously received financial aid. Eligible Institutions An institution within the system of public higher education under Section 5 of Chapter 15A of the General Laws, excluding Community Colleges. Award Amounts To be determined by the institution. How Do I Apply? Contact the financial aid office at the institution you are attending or plan to attend for application requirements or deadlines. You can also call the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance at (617) 391-6070 to obtain more information.

The High Technology Scholar/Intern Tuition Waiver Program provides an incentive to business and industry to support the computer information technology/science and engineering students through scholarships and internships. Public higher education institutions are encouraged to seek funding from business and industry for computer and information science and technology and engineering scholarships that the Commonwealth will, in turn, match with a full waiver of the cost of a student's annual tuition charges. In addition to scholarships and tuition waivers, students participating in the program gain real life experience in their chosen paths through business and industry internships. This program provides added incentive for high-achieving high school students to attend public institutions of higher education in Massachusetts. Who Is Eligible? To be eligible for a High Technology Scholar/Intern Tuition Waiver, a student must: Enroll in an eligible program as determined by the Board of Higher Education. Be deemed eligible by the participating company or corporation. Be a permanent legal resident of Massachusetts. Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen. Not be in default of any Federal or state loan or owe a refund on any previously received financial aid. Not have received a prior bachelor's degree or its equivalent. Eligible Institutions Any institution within the system of public institutions of higher education Section 5 of Chapter 15A of the General Laws. Eligible Programs Computer Information Science/Technology and Engineering programs to be reviewed and determined annually by the Board of Higher Education. Award Amounts Individual student awards shall match industry scholarships up to the resident undergraduate tuition rate at the participating institution. How Do I Apply? Contact the financial aid office at the institution you are attending or plan to attend for application requirements or deadlines. You can also contact the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance at (617) 391-6070 to obtain more information.

Who Is Eligible? To be eligible for an Incentive Program for Aspiring Teachers, a student must: Be in his/her third and/or fourth year of college and enrolled in state approved teacher education program field with teacher shortages. Have a cumulative 3.0 grade point average in general education courses. Commit to teaching for two (2) years (one year for each year of full or partial tuition waiver received) in a public school in the Commonwealth upon successful completion of a bachelor's degree from the college or university and the appropriate certification pursuant to section 38G of Chapter 71 M.G.L. Be deemed eligible by the institution. Complete an agreement regarding service and/or repayment (including interest). Achieve a 3.0 grade point average in the third year in order to receive the tuition waiver for the second year (senior year). Be a permanent resident of Massachusetts for at least one year prior to the opening of the academic year. Be a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen. Be in compliance with applicable Selective Registration requirements. Not be in default of any federal or state loan or owe a refund on any previously received financial aid. Be maintaining satisfactory academic progress in accordance with institutional standards. File a current year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligible Institutions The nine Massachusetts State Colleges and the four campuses of the University of Massachusetts. Award Amounts Students eligible for the Incentive Program for Aspiring Teachers will be entitled to a tuition waiver equal to the resident tuition rate at the State College or participating University campus at which they are enrolled for two years. The tuition waiver for the second year of eligibility (senior year) is contingent upon the student earning a 3.0 grade point average in the third year. Forfeiture of Tuition Waiver Award Persons who participate in the program but do not complete their college education within four years of entering the certification program or who fail to complete their two-year teaching commitment within four years following graduation from college, shall be obligated to pay the Commonwealth the full amount of the tuition waivers granted through the Incentive Program for Aspiring Teachers, prorated according to the fraction of teaching not completed, with interest, as determined by the Board of Higher Education. How Do I Apply? Contact the financial aid at the State College or University that you are attending or plan to attend for application requirements and deadlines. You can also contact the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance at (617) 391-6070 to obtain more information.

The Joint Admissions Tuition Advantage Waiver Program awards a tuition waiver equal to 33% of the resident tuition rate at a State college or participating university for the two (2) years of a student's matriculation in college, immediately following their community college enrollment. Who Is Eligible? A student enrolled in an undergraduate program at a state college or University of Massachusetts campus who: Graduated from a Massachusetts public community college with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average. Participated in the Joint Admissions Program and completed an approved academic program at the community college. Enrolled at the state college or University of Massachusetts campus selected through the Joint Admissions Program within one calendar year of graduation from the community college. Enrolled in a state-supported baccalaureate program. Did not matriculate at an institution other than the degree-granting community college before enrolling at the campus selected through the Joint Admissions Program. Has documentation of Tuition Advantage Program eligibility on file at the receiving institution, including transcripts demonstrating compliance with Joint Admissions Program requirements. For those students completing associate degree requirements in a term where the community college does not confer degrees, a letter from the Registrar or Joint Admissions officer should accompany the other documentation certifying completion of associate degree requirements. Award Amounts Students eligible for the Tuition Advantage Program will be entitled to a tuition waiver equal to 33% of the Massachusetts resident tuition rate at a State College or University campus for two (2) years of undergraduate enrollment as long as the following conditions are met: Enrollment is continuous. The recipient of the tuition waiver earns a cumulative 3.0 grade point average for the first year of enrollment at the state college or University of Massachusetts campus. Failure to achieve a cumulative 3.0 grade point average at the end of the first year of matriculation invalidates a student's eligibility to receive the tuition waiver for the second year. For students demonstrating compelling hardships, institutions may exercise professional judgment regarding the above conditions. How Do I Apply? Contact the financial aid at the State College or University that you are attending or plan to attend for application requirements and deadlines. You can also contact the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance at (617) 391-6070 to obtain more information.

Created in 1981, the Massachusetts Tuition Waiver Program exists to offset increases in tuition and maintain access to the Commonwealth's public colleges and universities. An underlying goal of the Tuition Waiver Policy is that future public sector tuition increases be matched with a concomitant increase in the maximum award for the financially neediest students. Another principle of the Tuition Waiver Program is the belief that the benefits of higher education must be available to all citizens. Over the years, tuition waivers have been utilized as supplemental scholarships in campus-based financial aid packaging strategies. Who Is Eligible? To be eligible for a Need Based Tuition Waiver, a student must: Be a permanent legal resident of Massachusetts for at least one year prior to the opening of the academic year. Be a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen. Be in compliance with applicable Selective Service Registration laws. Not be in default of any federal or state loan or owe a refund on any previously received financial aid. Evidence documented financial need as measured by a federally approved system of needs analysis. Enroll in at least three undergraduate credits per semester in state-supported undergraduate degree or certificate program. Maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with federal and institutional standards. Not have earned a prior bachelors degree or its equivalent. File a current year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligible Institutions An institution within the system of public institutions of higher education under section 5 of Chapter 15A of the General Laws. Award Amounts An individual student Tuition Waiver for an award period may not exceed the actual campus tuition charge for the award period. Tuition Waiver awards, in combination with other resources in the student's financial aid package, may not exceed the student's demonstrated financial need. Students qualifying for a Tuition Waiver may be granted partial or full waivers depending upon the institution's financial aid packaging policies. Tuition Waivers should generally be awarded during the financial aid process as a component of the student's financial aid package. Therefore, students should be notified of Tuition Waiver awards via the financial aid award letter. How Do I Apply? Contact the financial aid office at the institution you are attending or plan to attend for application requirements and deadlines. You can also call the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance at (617) 391-6070 to obtain more information.

The Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Tuition Waiver awards non-need-based state-supported undergraduate tuition waivers to students who are awarded the Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery by the Department of Education. The purposes of the Certificate of Mastery are to: Recognize high academic achievement on MCAS and other measures of academic achievement; Recognize high academic achievement as identified by outside forums including competitions, student publications, and awards; Provide an incentive for students to perform to their best abilities on MCAS and on the course of studies beyond grade 10; and Recognize high academic achievement in areas not included in MCAS. Who Is Eligible? To be eligible top apply for a Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Award, a student must: Must be enrolled in a Massachusetts public high school. Students who have graduated high school are not eligible to apply. Be a permanent Massachusetts resident. Be a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen. File a current year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Criteria For Candidate For Certificate Of Mastery To qualify as a Candidate for the Certificate of Mastery, a student must score "Advanced" on at least one grade 10 MCAS test subject, and score "Proficient" on the remaining sections of the grade 10 MCAS. Criteria For Award Of Certificate Of Mastery To receive the Certificate of Mastery, students must fulfill additional requirements through one of the following combinations covering both arts/humanities and mathematics/science: 2 AP exams with scores of 3 or better; 2 SAT II exams (Minimum score dependent upon subject area. Scores are listed on the Koplik application); 1 SAT II exam and 1 AP exam; or 1 SAT II exam and 1 other achievement; or 1 AP exam and 1 other achievement. Eligible Institutions An institution within the system of public institutions of higher education as identified in Section 5 of Chapter 15A of the Massachusetts General Laws. Award Amounts Recipients of the Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Tuition Waiver are eligible for an award of a non-need-based tuition waiver for state-supported undergraduate courses. Individual student awards shall be no more than the resident undergraduate tuition rate at the participating institution. Students are also required to maintain a G.P.A. of 3.3 for continued eligibility. How Do I Apply? Application forms are available from the Koplik coordinator at your high school or contact Alexia Cribbs at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education at (781) 338-3581 or via email at [email protected]. You may also contact the Massachusetts office of Student Financial Assistance at (617) 391-6070 to obtain more information.

Who Is Eligible? To be eligible for a University of Massachusetts Exchange Tuition Waiver Program, a student must: Be enrolled in a degree program at the University of Massachusetts. Meet eligibility criteria established by the University of Massachusetts. Be a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen. Not have received a prior bachelors degree or its equivalent. Be in compliance with Selective Service Registration requirements. Not be in default of any Federal or State loan or owe a refund on any previously received financial aid. Be maintaining satisfactory academic progress in accordance with institutional standards. Eligible Institutions The five campuses of the University of Massachusetts. Award Amounts To be determined by the University of Massachusetts. How Do I Apply? Contact the financial aid office at the institution you are attending or plan to attend for application requirements or deadlines. You can also contact the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance at (617) 391-6070 to obtain more information.

Who Is Eligible? To be eligible for a Valedictorian Program Tuition Waiver, a student must: Be designated by a public or private high school in the state as a valedictorian. Enroll in a degree program at a public higher education institution in the Commonwealth and meet the eligibility criteria as established by institution, for this program. Be a permanent legal resident of Massachusetts for at least one year prior to the opening of the academic year. Be in compliance with applicable law regarding Selective Service Registration. Not be in default of any Federal or State Student Loans or owe a refund for any previous financial aid received. File a current year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligible Institutions An institution within the system of public higher education under Section 5 of Chapter 15A of the General Laws. Award Amounts Students eligible for the Valedictorian Program Tuition Waiver are entitled to a tuition waiver equal to 100% to attend any public higher education institution. How Do I Apply? Contact the financial aid office at the institution you are attending or plan to attend, for application requirements or deadlines. You can also contact the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance at (617) 391-6070 to obtain more information.

The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminar provides experiential education opportunities to students of the Massachusetts public college and university system. The Center uses the resources of the nation's capital to provide high-quality learning experiences to enhance student's academic, civic, and professional development, and in this way, seeks to promote future leadership for the public, private, and non-profit sectors of society. The Washington Center's internship placements include positions in government offices, communication organizations, law firms, trade and professional associations, human right groups, and a variety of companies and other organizations. Internships are coupled with required academic courses. Who Is Eligible? To be eligible for a Washington Center Tuition Waiver, a student must: Enroll in an eligible degree program as determined by the institution; and Have obtained a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average; and Meet other eligibility criteria as established by the institution and the Washington Center. Be a permanent legal resident of Massachusetts. Be a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen. Be in compliance with Selective Service Registration requirements. Not be in default of any federal or state loan or owe a refund on any previously received financial aid. Maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with institutional and federal standards. Not have received a prior bachelors degree or its equivalent. File a current year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligible Institutions The nine Massachusetts State Colleges and the four undergraduate campuses of the University of Massachusetts. Award Amounts A waiver of tuition by the Board of Higher Education, a waiver of regular mandatory fees by the eligible institution, and a housing scholarship of $2,000 provided by the Washington Center. How Do I Apply? Contact the financial aid office at the institution you are attending or plan to attend, for application requirements or deadlines. You can also contact the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance at (617) 391-6070 to obtain more information.

Awarded to undergraduate students whose parental income is too high to qualify for other aid, yet not sufficient to afford to pay for all of their children’s tuition. The family must have more than one child to educate and their income must be between $25,000 and $50,000. Applicants and parents must be residents of Massachusetts.