Pell Grant students currently receiving MASSGrant Plus aid who have an expected family contribution (EFC) will no longer need to pay the federal government-determined EFC to enroll in any Massachusetts public college or university under the MASSGrant Plus Expansion program. From now on, all tuition and mandatory instructional fees will be covered with grant aid for Pell Grant-eligible public higher education students in Massachusetts. Pell Grant-eligible students will also be eligible for allowances of up to $1,200 for books and supplies.
The cost of room and board will not be covered under the MASSGrant Plus Expansion program.
Pell Grant-eligible students enrolled on a part-time basis at a public four-year college or university will now be eligible for MASSGrant Plus support.
You qualify for MASSGrant Plus Expansion if you:
To be eligible, students must complete the free FAFSA or the state-alternative financial aid application designated by the DHE. If you are not sure whether you qualify for MASSGrant Plus Expansion, please fill out the free 2024 FAFSA.
Applicants must also meet the following eligibility requirements:
1 See www.mass.edu/tuitionequity for more details.
2 Pursuant to Section 9 of Chapter 15A, as amended by Section 11 of Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2023.
Students who have completed the 2024 FAFSA and are already receiving MASSGrant Plus aid do not need to take further action to benefit from the expansion. College and university financial aid offices will apply the funds to current MASSGrant Plus student accounts automatically.
Students who have not completed the 2024 FAFSA, particularly part-time Pell Grant-eligible students and middle-income students who previously did not qualify for MASSGrant Plus, should complete the 2024 FAFSA immediately.
Information on how to complete the free 2024 FAFSA is available here.
MASSGrant Plus Expansion is available to eligible students attending Massachusetts’ public community colleges, state universities, and the University of Massachusetts. Qualifying institutions include:
Reach out to your school’s financial aid office for additional information for the application process, or to the Office of Student Financial Assistance at (617) 391-6070.