Office of Student Financial Assistance > State Financial Aid Programs > In-Demand Scholarship

In-Demand Scholarship

The Massachusetts In-Demand Scholarship Program was created by the Massachusetts Legislature in the 2024 Fiscal Year Budget to support economic development in the Commonwealth by providing financial assistance to residents who are pursuing programs of study that will help address the Commonwealth’s workforce needs. The program will provide scholarships to students to encourage enrollment and completion of training and degree programs identified by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s annual reports on labor market conditions, who intend to remain in the Commonwealth to pursue their professional careers.

Student Eligibility Criteria

An undergraduate or graduate student who has been admitted to an eligible institution and meets the following requirements:

  • Physically resides 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 policy;
  • Have approved eligibility status as a “High School Completer,” 1 per the Massachusetts tuition equity law, 2 or be a U.S. Citizen, permanent legal resident, or non-citizen eligible under Title IV regulations.
  • Has declared a major or is currently pursuing a program of study offered and verifiable by the institution that is designated as an in-demand profession by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development;
  • Annually completes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA), for consideration of assistance by any designated deadline, as may be determined by the Department of Higher Education, and comply with financial aid verification requirements for either the FAFSA or the MASFA, as applicable;
  • Achieves and maintains a minimum college-level GPA of 3.0 annually and demonstrates Satisfactory Academic Progress in accordance with institutional standards;
  • Is not in default with applicable law regarding any Federal or State student education loans for attendance at any institution or owes a refund for any previous financial aid received.

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.

Scholarship Amount and Terms

Awards for eligible applicants under this program may be used to support the full cost of tuition and fees charged to a student, plus a $1,200 allowance for books and supplies for the academic term (year or semester), as follows:

  • For full-time undergraduate students: Maximum of four years (eight semesters) for students enrolled in a 4-year college or university; or maximum of two years (four semesters) if enrolled in a community college.
  • For part-time undergraduate students: Maximum of six years (twelve semesters) for enrolled in a 4-year college or university; or four years (eight semesters) if enrolled in a community college. A minimum of six credits per term is required for part-time students.
  • For graduate students: Maximum of two years (four semesters) for graduate students, with a minimum of six credits per semester required.

Students may receive an additional payment up to a maximum of $2,500 to support a trailing academic summer term of study if funds are available after all academic year awards are disbursed. Summer awards are limited to a maximum of two terms (one per academic year) for any student.

The academic year and/or semester awards for this program may be modified by the Department of Higher Education in accordance with the award procedure, below, if the annual appropriation for this program is not sufficient to meet the maximum scholarship award for the pool of eligible students. The Department of Higher Education will annually review the program, including institutional cost of attendance, and may adjust the program’s award values as it deems necessary.

Eligible Programs

Any undergraduate or graduate degree or certificate program offered by an eligible institution and identified by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) as an in-demand profession or occupation.

Eligible Institutions

Any public four-year or two-year college or university within the Massachusetts public system of higher education, as identified in Section 5 of Chapter 15A of the General Laws. Qualifying institutions include:
Community Colleges

State Universities

University of Massachusetts

For More Information

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.