Massachusetts Student Grants for College
Fund Your Education with Free Grant Money
Higher education is becoming increasingly more important, as employers are less willing to take hiring risks in today's economy.
Tuition expenses are the most daunting aspect of attending a state college or University; however, there are financial options that are available to those students who are willing to do research about local state grants and financial aid.
Students in the state of Massachusetts have the following grant options available to those who meet the specific qualifications:
- Foster Child Grant
- MASSGrant
- Massachusetts Gilbert Matching Student Grant
- Massachusetts Cash Grant
- Massachusetts Part-Time Grant
- Massachusetts Public Service Grant
- Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant
- Educational Rewards Grant
- Performance Bonus Grant
Grants are not at all like student loans; grants are free money provided by a certain source for those students who meet the qualifications and apply for the aid.
Grants do not have to be paid back and the amount issued and other requirements vary by the grant type.
Foster Child Grant Program
This grant program was funded in 2001 by the Massachusetts Legislature and provides up to $6,000 annually for foster children to attend college.
Foster children who receive this award can attend any institution throughout the United States.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Permanent and legal resident of the state of Massachusetts
- U.S. or eligible non-U.S. citizen
- Under the age of 24
- Placed in the care of Department of Social Services
- Have signed an agreement with Social Services that establishes the conditions of the grant
- Have applied for aid using FAFSA
- Not owe any money on previous federal or state student loans
- Remain in good standing under the college standards
Eligible Institutions
Students are able to attend any public, private or independent institution in Massachusetts and across the United States.
The institution has to be accredited and able to offer undergraduate degrees or certificate programs.
Amount Awarded: students can receive up to $6,000 per year whether they are enrolled in a private, public or independent institution; students can only be eligible to receive financial aid up to 5 consecutive years.
Application Instructions
- Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance
- Social Worker through the Department of Social Services
MASSGrant Program
This grant program is funded by the Massachusetts Legislature and provides financial aid to residents of Massachusetts on an as-needed basis.Eligibility Requirements
- Have an Expected Family Contribution to higher learning between $0 and $5,273
- Permanent and legal resident of Massachusetts
- U.S. or eligible non-U.S. citizen
- Be enrolled at an institution as a full-time student
- Be enrolled in a certificate program or obtaining a bachelor/associates degree
- Not have an alternate degree
- Be in compliance with the Selective Service Registration requirements
- Be eligible for state financial aid and not owe money on previous student or federal loans
- Demonstrate financial aid need by the need analysis criteria of the Federal Methodology
- Maintain good academic standing within the Institution
Eligible Institutions
Students may receive aid for attending state approved public, private or independent institutions in Massachusetts that offer undergraduate degrees or certificate programs.
State approved institutions in New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C are also accepted.
Amount Awarded
The award amount is variable by instituion and enrollment status- 5 Year Program is eligible for 10 semesters of aid
- 4 Year Program is eligible for 8 semesters of aid
- 3 Year Program is eligible for 6 semesters of aid
- Year Program is eligible for 4 semesters of aid
- 1 Year Program is eligible for 2 semesters of aid
Application Process
- Complete FAFSA and submit to Federal Central Processor. Priority deadline is May 1st.
- Contact high school guidance office, the institution Financial Aid Office or Student Financial Assistance
Massachusetts Gilbert Matching Student Grant Program (GMSGP)
This grant funds students who are attending participating Massachusetts institutions and approved schools of nursing.
All of the funds have to be used for needy undergraduate students of Massachusetts to attend or continue their education at a higher learning institution.
Eligibility Requirements
- Dependent student and a legal and permanent resident of Massachusetts
- Supporting parent or guardian has to have been a resident of Massachusetts for 12 months prior to the reception year
- Independent student and a legal and permanent resident of Massachusetts who has been a resident for 12 months prior to the reception year
- U.S. or eligible non-U.S. citizen
- Not have earned an alternative degree
- Not owe on any former federal or student loans
- Demonstrates financial aid need according to specific guidelines
- Maintain good academic standing at institution
- Be enrolled full-time
- Not have earned a first diploma from a hospital or from a nursing program prior to aid
Eligible Institutions
All institutions that are of higher education in Massachusetts which:- Admits students having gained certificates of graduation from a secondary school (or equivalent)
- Is legally authorized to provide programs of study that issue bachelors or associates degrees
- Is legally authorized to provide completion awards for hospital schooling and nursing programs
- Does not derive major portions of the annual budget from state funding
- Is not primarily a religious education institution
Application Process
- Financial aid office of institution, receiving application requirements and deadlines
- Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance
Massachusetts Educational Rewards Grant Program
This program was established by the Massachusetts Legislature to provide assistance to low income workers who are looking to better themselves and transition to jobs in high demand categories.
This investment in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts workers will help to promote creation of jobs, competitiveness, stability and economic growth. It is a need-based program that is a last resort to all other state grants.
A maximum of 30% of funds may be used for living expenses during higher learning.
Eligibility Requirements
- Low income worker who is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level
- Applied for financial aid through FAFSA and submitted low-income worker documentation
- Does not owe previous student or federal loans
- Enrolled as a full time student and meets good standing requirements for institution chosen
- Resident of Massachusetts living there for at least 12 months prior to reception year
- U.S. or eligible non-U.S. citizen
- Not yet received an alternative degree
- Is not considered a dependent for state or federal aid
Eligible Institutions
Institutions that are public, private or independent throughout Massachusetts, including vocational technical institutes are eligible to participate. Institutions must be accredited and eligible for participation in Massachusetts State Financial Aid Programs. The Board of Higher Education and Department of Workforce Development will meet and determine all high demand occupations that are deemed eligible.Amount Awarded
A range of $200 to $3,000 will be rewarded and used for tuition, fees and books. Up to 30% of the awarded amount can be used for living expenses and calculated by the Board of Higher Education Institutions are required to keep track of all student awards, credit hours and a budget plan for the academic year.
All of the funds are to be used as allottment for students; any unused funds are to be returned to the Office of Student Financial Assistance. Rewards Grants funds that are awarded in excess of all tuition and fees must be given to the student for books and living expenses.
Institutions that participate in this program are expected to keep an agreement on file at the Office of Student Financial Assistance and keep documentation for potential audits. All records and documentation are open to inspection at any time, should the need arise.
Massachusetts Part-Time Grant
This program reaches out to those who are seeking higher education but can only dedicate part-time status due to demographic and economic changes.
Typical young adults are not the only members of the college population; more and more working adults are returning to earn their degrees.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a permanent and legal resident of Massachusetts for at least 12 months prior to reception year
- U.S. or eligible non-U.S. citizen
- Must be enrolled for at least 6 undergraduate credits but not more that 12, as that is considered full-time
- Have not yet earned a baccalaureate or professional certificate or degree
- Be eligible for state or federal aid and do not owe money on previous student or federal loans
- Demonstrates financial aid need according to specific program guidelines
- Be in compliance with the Selective Service Registration
Eligible Institutions
Institutions that are public, private or independent in Massachusetts and that are authorized to issue undergraduate degrees or certificates are eligible.Amount Awarded
Awards vary by type and institution; minimum award is $200, maximum is individually appointed and upheld.
Massachusetts Public Service Grant Program
This program was established to help serve those who have endured the loss of a parent or spouse that was killed in the line of public service duty in Massachusetts.
Educational opportunities are awarded those students who are the remaining family members of those killed in the line of duty. This is the only state grant that is not based on financial need; it is rather an entitlement to those who are qualified to receive it.
Eligibility Requirements
- Permanent and legal resident of Massachusetts for at least 12 months prior to reception year
- U.S. or eligible non-U.S. citizen
- Be enrolled full time (at least 12 hours)
- Not have received a previous certificate or degree
- Be in compliance with the Selective Service Registration
- Maintain good standing with the institution that is attended
- Provide necessary documentation to prove that student is the child or spouse of a Massachusetts public service officer, including police, firefighter or corrections officer. Family member will receive aid if the parent or spouse was killed in the line of duty
Eligible Institutions
All institutions that are public, private or independent throughout Massachusetts and are accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges is eligible.
The institution must be authorized to offer degree and certificate programs.
Amount Awarded
- Massachusetts Public University awards are equal to the full-time annual tuition costs
- Massachusetts Private or Independent University awards are equal to the full-time annual tuition costs, but cannot exceed $2,500 per year.
Application Process
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Complete the following documentation:
- Public Service Grant Application from the Office of Student Financial Assistance
- First Time Applicant Public Service Grant Application (PDF)
- First Time Applicant Public Service Grant Application (DOC)
- Renewal is offered by contacting the Office of Student Financial Assistance for an application for renewal
Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant Program
Established by the Massachusetts Legislature to provide financial assistance to residents of Massachusetts who are currently employed as paraprofessionals in the public school system and want to be certified full-time as teachers.
Financial burdens of returning to school are eased by this grant when attending an institution for higher education to become a full-time teacher. There is a current shortage of teachers in Massachusetts and the design of this program is to fulfill that need.
Eligibility Requirements
- Permanent and Legal resident of Massachusetts
- U.S or eligible non-U.S citizen
- Eligible to receive aid and not owe on previous student or federal loans
- Enrolled full or part-time in an eligible institution that results in a teacher certification
- Employed in Massachusetts public schools as a paraprofessional for at least 2 years prior to aid
- High need disciplines can see students receive aid with less than 2 years teaching experience as a paraprofessional in a Massachusetts public school system. High need disciplines include: math, science, special education, ESOL and teaching a foreign language
- Has not earned another degree
Eligible Institutions
A regionally accredited public or private institution in Massachusetts that offers a teacher program of preparation that leads to licensing; institution must be approved by the Massachusetts Department of Education.
A 2-Year public college can be substituted if it has an agreement with the Department of Education with a teacher preparation program that leads to licensing.
Amount Awarded
- Public University will receive $625/credit hour, not to exceed $7,500 a year
- Private University will receive $625/credit hour, not to exceed $7,500 a year
- State College will receive $450/credit hour, not to exceed $6,000 a year
- Community College will receive $250/credit hour, not to exceed $4,000 a year
Application Process
- File a FAFSA application
- Complete the Paraprofessional Online Application for the given year
Massachusetts Cash Grant Program
This program is designed to help needy students to pay for charges and fees that varies by institution and to help with non-state supported tuition expenses.
The Cash Grant Program acts as a supplement to the Need-Based Tuition Waiver Program and provides financial support to those students who would not be able to afford higher education without assistance.
Eligibility Requirement
- Permanent and legal resident of the state of Massachusetts
- U.S or eligible non-U.S resident
- Resident of Massachusetts for at least 12 months prior to reception year
- Compliance with Selective Service Registration
- Demonstrate the need for financial aid through specialized guidelines
- Be enrolled in at least 3 credits per semester
- Not owe money on any previous student or federal loan
- Keep in good standing with the institution that is attended
- Not have previously earned another certificate or degree
