State Programs

A Commonwealth of MA (state)  source of financial aid.  Eligibility requires state residency and demonstrated financial need.

Additional information about grants from the Commonwealth

New in 2024: Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA) - Massachusetts residents ineligible to apply for financial aid using the FAFSA due to citizenship status may be eligible for this grant from the Commonwealth of MA. The MASFA is for students who have completed at least three years of high school in Massachusetts and received a diploma but are ineligible for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) due to their immigration status. It should be completed by students who are beginning college in Spring 2024 or were enrolled in the Fall 2023 semester and may qualify for financial aid. The deadline for completing the MASFA to receive financial aid for the 2023-2024 school year is May 15, 2024. There will be a new MAFSA for the 2024-2025 academic year. 

Massachusetts High Demand Scholarship - Open to Massachusetts residents who are pursuing a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), Health Professions, Education, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Economics or Business degree. Students must maintain a minimum college-level grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. Maximum award of $11,000 for full-time students during the 2024-2025 academic year.

Massachusetts State Grants - Awards are based on exceptional financial need as determined from filing the FAFSA and availability of funds to Massachusetts residents enrolled as full-time degree-seeking students in their first bachelor's program. Awards range from $500 to $3,000 as set by the Commonwealth.  No separate application is necessary.

Massachusetts Part Time Grants - These grants are awarded by the College based on a limited allocation of funds received from the Commonwealth. Awards are made to students based on exceptional financial need as determined from filing the FAFSA and availability of funds to undergraduate Massachusetts residents enrolled at least half-time  but no more than three-quarter time for the semester in a degree program seeking their first bachelor's degree. Awards are set by the Commonwealth.

Massachusetts Gilbert Grant - Gilbert Grants are funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and are awarded by Curry College to eligible Massachusetts residents enrolled full time in a degree program seeking their first bachelor who demonstrate financial need as determined by the results of the students filing the FAFSA. Awards vary and are subject to available funding.

Massachusetts Foster Child Grant Program - The Foster Child Grant Program funded by the Massachusetts Legislature in 2001. The program provides grants of up to $6000 annually for foster children to help pay for an education beyond high school at any institution of higher learning throughout the continental United States. The Foster Child Grant recipient must have signed an agreement with the Department of Social Services for care and services beyond age 18.

To be eligible for a Foster Child Grant a student must:

• Be a permanent legal resident of Massachusetts.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or noncitizen eligible under Title IV regulations.
• Be placed in the custody of the Department of Social Services through a Care and Protection Petition.
• Not be over the age of 24.
• Have signed a voluntary agreement with the Department of Social Services establishing terms and conditions for receiving such aid.
• Have applied for financial aid, using the standard Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Not be in default of any Federal or State Student Loans for attendance at any institution or owe a refund for any previous financial aid received.
• Be in good standing and meet the institution's requirements for satisfactory academic progress.

For consideration contact the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance at 617-727-9420 or your social worker at Department of Social Services.

The Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant Program was established by the Legislature for the purpose of providing financial assistance to Massachusetts residents who are currently employed as paraprofessionals in Massachusetts public schools, but wish to become certified as full time teachers. This grant is designed to help reduce financial barriers that often become obstacles for many paraprofessionals in attaining higher education. The program is also an attempt to help address the Commonwealth's current teacher shortage. Financial need is not a requirement for the Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant. However, recipients must annually file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

To be eligible for a Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant, a student must:

• Be a permanent legal resident of Massachusetts.
• Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Be eligible under Title IV Regulations and not in default of a state or federal education loan or grant.
• Enroll in an undergraduate degree program (full-time or part-time) leading to teacher certification in a Massachusetts Public College.
• Be employed, for a minimum of two years, as a paraprofessional in a Massachusetts public school.
• If employed less than two years as a paraprofessional, a student may qualify for the grant only if the undergraduate course of study will lead to teacher certification in high need disciplines: Math, Science, Special Education, Foreign Languages, or Bilingual Education.
• Has not earned a bachelor's degree.

Private College/University - $625 per credit, maximum of $7,500 per academic year

Paraprofessionals interested in applying for the grant must complete the following:

• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Complete the Paraprofessional Online Application.

The Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program is a state-supported program whose mission includes providing educational opportunities to Commonwealth students who demonstrate academic promise and desire to attend post-secondary institutions. The Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program was established in 1972 by the Massachusetts State Legislature as an early identification program to recruit students in the 10th and 11th grades whose socio-economic backgrounds and environmental conditions may inhibit their ability to persevere and attain educational goals.

To accomplish its mission, the Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program has developed an extensive partnership of representatives from social service agencies, public and private secondary institutions, civic agencies, religious organizations, and the educational community. Students are nominated by guidance counselors, social workers, ministers and educators who are familiar with their circumstances and selected semi-finalists participate in a rigorous interview process. Each year, 25 students in the 10th and 11th grades are selected to receive awards of up to 50 percent (50%) of their calculated need at the college of their choice within the continental United States. The students that are selected for this program must have overcome major adversity in their lives (i.e. physical or mental abuse, catastrophic illness, etc.). Obstacles may be mental, physical, geographic or societal. Students must exhibit academic potential for post-secondary success. There are approximately 100 students that are currently enrolled in colleges and universities across the United States with the assistance of the Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship.

To be eligible for a Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship, a student must:

• Students must be enrolled in a public or private secondary school in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and legal residents of the State.
• Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• Exhibit difficult personal circumstances, high financial need, and strong academic promise to continue education beyond the secondary level.
• Upon graduation from high school, enroll as a full-time undergraduate student in an eligible program as defined by the institution.
• Provide evidence of documented need as measured by a federally approved system of need analysis.
• Be in compliance with state law regarding Selective Service Registration.
• Not be in default of a Federal or State loan or owe a refund on any previously received financial aid.

Award amounts vary based on educational costs for full time study, including tuition, room, board, required fees, books and transportation.

For more information contact the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance at (617) 727-9420.

The Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program was funded as a pilot initiative by the Legislature for the purpose of increasing the quality and availability of teachers and care providers to work with young children and youth in inclusive settings including infant/toddler, preschool and school age programs. The scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance for currently employed early childhood and out of school time educators and providers who enroll in an associate or bachelor degree program in Early Childhood Education or related programs.

To be eligible for the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship, an applicant must:

• Be a permanent legal resident of Massachusetts.
• Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Be eligible under Title IV Regulations and not in default of a state or federal education loan or grant.
• Enroll, as a matriculated student, in an undergraduate degree program (full or part-time) in Early Childhood Education, or a related field (i.e., elementary education, sociology, psychology).
• Be employed, for at least one year, as an educator or provider in an early education and care program or out of school time program that is licensed or authorized by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and continue employment in this field while pursuing the approved course of study.
• Have not previously earned a bachelor's degree.
• Sign an agreement to continue employment as an early childhood educator or provider in Massachusetts upon completing the degree requirement, or repay funds as defined.

The scholarship under this program is based on a per credit rate: $500 per credit, maximum of $4,500 per semester. Applicants may receive scholarships to assist with the cost of no more than three courses per semester during the traditional fall, spring, and summer semesters.

• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Contact the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance at 617-727-9420.