You are eligible to participate if you:

1. Plan to enter a Massachusetts Community College between fall 2018 and fall 2019,
2. Attend college full-time, and
3. Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00

You should let your advisor know during your first semester that you intend to apply for the program. You will be given a participation form to fill out and return to the registrar. Please note that you must declare your interest in entering the program before earning 15 credits at a community college, excluding developmental course work and dual-enrollment coursework taken while enrolled in high school.

Yes. International students and out-of-state residents can still participate in the MassTransfer program.

Yes, but the Commonwealth Commitment program works best for students who have a pretty good idea what they want to study. In order to participate, students must plan to pursue one of the “A2B Mapped” programs available through MassTransfer. Commonwealth Commitment students need to remain on track to graduate from a state university or UMass campus within 4.5 years.

In most cases, changing your major will mean that you will need to take additional courses. That could make it difficult or impossible for you to graduate in the maximum time permitted for Commonwealth Commitment students, which is 4.5 years. That said, many students change majors for very good reasons. It may be the right move for you, and you may find additional scholarships or other aid to offset the loss of the Commonwealth Commitment financial benefits. For example, MassTransfer students who maintain a 3.00 GPA earn a MassTransfer tuition credit worth an average of $1,184 per year upon transfer to a state university or UMass campus. Please contact your advisor if you are in the Commonwealth Commitment and are considering changing your major.

At the end of every semester you complete, assuming you maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher and earn at least 12 credits while at the community college and 14 credits at the university, you will receive a 10% rebate.

Students who complete the Commonwealth Commitment program will realize an average savings of 40% off the cost of their bachelor’s degree, as compared to attending their chosen state university or UMass campus for all four years. See our Savings Calculator to explore potential savings models, and see our Commonwealth Commitment Cost Calculator to see today’s current Commonwealth Commitment degree costs.

Not directly, but you may decide to use some of the savings you realize through participating in the program to pay for textbooks or other expenses.

Not currently. Students must enroll in a full-time course of study and earn at least 12 credits while at the community college and 14 credits at the university,). Many students are able attend full-time and also work a number of hours outside of school.  The state has launched the Commonwealth Commitment because Massachusetts is facing a shortage of college graduates and wants to encourage more students to complete their degrees at a faster pace. Research shows that full-time students save money on the overall cost of their education, and also tend to have higher overall graduation rates than students who go part-time.

Yes, but room and board are not covered under the terms of the Commonwealth Commitment program.

Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 will have one semester to raise their GPAs. Students will not receive the 10% rebate for the semester that their cumulative GPAs fall below 3.0 and will have their benefits reinstated only if they raise their cumulative GPAs to a 3.0 or above by the end of the following semester.

Students who are unable to earn the minimum of credits will not earn the 10% rebate. Students who do not earn the minimum of credits in a given semester should meet with an advisor to ensure they are able to complete the program within the necessary timeframe.

You might—but then again, you might not. UMass campuses and state universities have increased scholarship support to students. Check all your financial options and get advice from the college of your choice before selecting your bachelor’s degree pathway.

As a “special-mission” institution, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy's  (MMA) academic programs require students to transfer prior to completing an associate’s degree. You will complete the final semester of your associate degree at MMA; those credits will “reverse transfer” back to your community college and you will earn an associate’s degree before completing your baccalaureate degree requirements. Massachusetts Maritime Academy also. requires students to live on campus—and, for some majors, complete a semester at sea—in order to graduate.

As a “special-mission” institution, the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) academic programs require students to transfer prior to completing an associate’s degree. Community college students who wish to transfer to MassArt are required to complete the 30-credit A2B Mapped degree. Students must submit a portfolio as part of the acceptance criteria. Please note that community college students who wish to transfer to Massart must start their baccalaureate courses during the Fall semester. If you are unable to start doing the Fall, please contact your advisor to discuss course-taking options.

All PUBLIC campuses are. These include the four undergraduate campuses of the University of Massachusetts, nine state universities, and 15 community colleges. Private colleges and universities are not signatories to the Commonwealth Commitment agreement.