College Funding from the State of Massachusetts
Include These Sources in Your Financial Aid Search
The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education administers state-funded grants and scholarships seeing to it that as many state citizens as possible earn a college education. The state college and university system is comprised of the University of Massachusetts - with campuses in Boston, Amherst, Lowell, Dartmouth and Worcester - the state colleges and over a dozen community colleges.
The Performance Bonus Grant was designed to offer a leg up to Massachusetts' students whom would not otherwise be able to even consider college. Eligible students must be the most economically challenged of their peers, yet be academically motivated. Funding for this program varies.
MASSGrant is the state's flagship need-based award program. Students who are state residents and enrolled in undergraduate programs, including four-year, two-year and technical/certificate, may apply by filling out the FAFSA. Students must be attending a Massachusetts college or university, or a participating institution in one of the reciprocating New England states to qualify. Qualified applicants may receive up to $2300 per academic year.
Kudos to Massachusetts for implementing a grant program that intentionally targets today's mature and working adults, often called non-traditional students. The Part-Time Grant Program is as popular and instrumental as is the MASSGrant and provides students who are enrolled less than full time attractive tuition assistance without penalty for their choice. This is still a need-based program and students should apply by filling out the FAFSA and asking for a program application through their school. Award amounts are dependent on the type of college or program in which the student is enrolled. Go here for other national non-traditional scholarship options.
In some cases, no amount of federal funding may get a severely disadvantaged student through college. Massachusetts institutions may offer Need-Based Tuition Waivers to students they deem worthy of receiving an education regardless of financial situation.
Seeking the ultimate academic challenge? If you are a Massachusetts student and think you can graduate high school in 3 years with a 3.75 and top scores on the SATs then you might consider applying for the Paul Tsongas Scholarship Program. Few students manage this accomplishment, but those that do stand to be rewarded with full tuitions at a Massachusetts state college or university. Tsongas was himself a talented Law student and served as a Massachusetts Senator. He died in 1997.
Class valedictorians listen up: you qualify to receive scholarships that cover full tuition costs at a public college or university in Massachusetts through the Valedictorian Program Tuition Waiver.
The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarships also award scholarships to the most academically talented. These highly visible honors offer $1500 to hundreds of students from every state. Eligibility is based on class rank, GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Students must be enrolled in four-year college or university programs, with the exception military academy programs.
Outstanding junior and senior high school students with an aptitude in Math or English may be eligible for either the Stanley Koplick Certificate of Mastery Tuition Waiver or the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.
Think you live in a rural community in Massachusetts? Need financial assistance for college? If so you may qualify for the Agnes M. Lindsay Scholarship.
Veterans, minorities, senior citizens and other socially and financially disadvantaged/non-traditional students may qualify for tuition waivers through the Categorical Tuition Waiver Program. Qualified applicants must be enrolling in a public institution.
Are you a Massachusetts student who has suffered the loss of a parent in a Public Service capacity? Dependents of Law Enforcement, Firefighters, Public Safety Officers and other eligible public servants killed while performing their jobs, may qualify for state tuition waivers through the Public Service Grant Program. Qualified applicants must be enrolled in a Massachusetts public institution.
The Foster Child Grant Program is funded by most state governments as a means to help support those students who have participated in the state's foster care system for a certain length of time. In such cases these students have no parental support for post secondary education. Those who can prove appropriate financial need may qualify for up to $6000 per academic year to study at any type of college or university in the state.
Specialized Studies Programs
Studying in a health care profession, nursing or a math, science or engineering major? Consider these innovative, state-funded incentive programs that offer generous tuition repayment or forgiveness in return for your services.
The CommonWealth Futures Grant Program was designed to encourage students majoring in "subject shortage areas," such as engineering, math, science and technology careers to study and work in New York. More and more states are focusing resources on retaining their own top talent, including professionals who can offer expertise in under-populated professions. Interested students should double-check the program criteria and available funding.
Nurses are at critical shortage levels everywhere. Student nurses would be remiss in not exploring state-funded scholarships, grants and loan forgiveness programs - many are willing to repay tuition costs in exchange for clinical work in an underserved area or facility:
- Gilbert Matching Student Grant Program
- Go here for more national nursing scholarships
Teachers get a bad rap. Not only is the teaching profession one of the most underpaid, it suffers from constant and alarming shortages that wreck havoc with public school systems. In efforts to counteract such forces, many state governments have taken it upon themselves to offer incentives to their talented students who may be considering teaching as a career. Loan repayment and forgiveness programs are commonplace and may provide eligible and willing students with full tuition rides in the right circumstances:
- A recent addition to the scope of Massachusetts' teacher incentive programs, the Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant supports those individuals who have been serving in support/instructional capacities in public schools, but have lacked financial resources necessary to continue onto earn a four-year teaching degree and certification.
- The Tomorrow's Teachers Scholarship Program awards scholarships to academically talented high school graduates who are pursuing teaching. Students must be enrolled in a four-year college or university program in Massachusetts and willing to exchange tuition for teaching in the state public school system. Interested students should check the current availability of this program.
- Childcare professionals who are pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education might be eligible to receive assistance through the Early Childhood Educators' Scholarship Program.
- Go here for more national teaching scholarships
For complete details, go to the website of the Office of Student Financial Assistance from the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education.
