MASSGrant & MASSGrant Plus

The MASSGrant and MASSGrant Plus programs are funded by the state Legislature and provide need-based financial assistance to undergraduate students who reside in Massachusetts. Students must be enrolled in and pursuing a program of higher education in any approved public or independent college, university, school of nursing or any other approved institution.

Under the MASSGrant Plus program, full time students attending Massachusetts four-year public colleges and universities, and full-time and part-time students attending Massachusetts public community colleges may be eligible for additional funding to help with the cost of tuition, fees and books. Review the requirements for the MASSGrant Plus program below to determine if you qualify for assistance from this program.

See also: MASSGrant Plus Expansion

  MASSGrant MASSGrant Plus
Massachusetts Residency Physically reside in Massachusetts for at least one year, as of the start of the enrolled term, with an intent to remain in Massachusetts consistent with Board of Higher Education (BHE) policy;
Citizenship Status Be a U.S. Citizen, permanent legal resident, or non-citizen eligible under Title IV regulations; or have an approved eligibility status designated by the Board of Higher Education pursuant to Section 9 of Chapter 15A, as amended by Section 11 of Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2024.
FAFSA Completion Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually for consideration of assistance by any designated deadline, as may be determined by the Department of Higher Education (DHE), or an alternative application designated by the DHE.
Eligible Students
  • 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 enrolled full-time (at least 12 credits or its equivalent) in a certificate, associate’s or bachelor’s degree program at an eligible institution.
  • Not have received a prior bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
  • Be maintaining satisfactory academic progress in accordance with institutional and federal standards.
  • Have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) between $0 and $6656.
  • Be a student enrolled in a certificate, associate or bachelor’s degree program at a Massachusetts college or university.
  • 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.
  • Not have received a prior associates or bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
  • Be maintaining satisfactory academic progress in accordance with institutional and federal standards.
  • An undergraduate student enrolled full-time or part-time at a community college, or a Pell-eligible student enrolled full-time or part-time at an eligible four-year public college or university, and meets the following requirements: Demonstrate financial need for tuition and fees after accounting for expected family contribution (EFC) and all forms of scholarship and grant aid.
Eligible Institutions For MASSGrant an eligible institution is defined as a state-approved public, private, independent, for-profit or non-profit institution in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts authorized to offer undergraduate degrees, certificates or diploma programs.

Additional eligible institutions include state-approved public, private, independent, non-profit institutions in Vermont, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia that have reciprocity agreements with Massachusetts and award associate’s and bachelor’s degrees.
For MASSGrant Plus, only MA public colleges and universities are eligible.
Award Amount MASSGrant awards will vary, depending on the student’s Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) and the type of institution that he or she attends. MASSGrant Plus awards will vary depending on student need (gap) to meet tuition/fee and books costs. Note that MASSGrant Plus awards are made after a student’s EFC has been calculated, and after consideration of other non-loan financial aid is financial aid awarded.
How to Apply Students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the Federal Central Processor by the appropriate Massachusetts deadline. For further assistance, please contact your high school guidance office, your college's Financial Aid Office or you can call the DHE’s Office of Student Financial Assistance at (617) 391-6070.
FAFSA Deadline May 1, 2023 (for 2023-2024 academic year) January 1, 2024 (for 2023-24 academic year), subject to available funds
Additional Information