Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Tuition Credit

Program Summary

*The following is a brief description for students. Institutions should refer to the most recent guidelines for information.

The Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Tuition Credit awards merit-based state-supported undergraduate tuition credits at State Universities and Community Colleges. At the University of Massachusetts the individual student awards shall be valued at $1,714 at Amherst, $1,714 at Boston, $1,417 at Dartmouth, and $1,454 at Lowell.The purposes of the Certificate of Mastery are to:

• Recognize high academic achievement on MCAS and other measures of academic achievement;
• Recognize high academic achievement as identified by outside forums including competitions, student publications, and awards;
• Provide an incentive for students to perform to their best abilities on MCAS and on the course of studies beyond grade 10; and
• Recognize high academic achievement in areas not included in MCAS.

Who Is Eligible?

To be eligible for a Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Award, a student must:

• 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 policy; and
• 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.
• Have applied for financial aid, using the standard Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a FAFSA equivalent application authorized by the Department of Higher Education.
• Be a permanent Massachusetts resident
• Be enrolled in a Massachusetts public high school*
• Score "Advanced" on at least one grade 10 MCAS test subject, and score "Proficient" on the remaining sections of the grade 10 MCAS
• Fulfill additional requirements through one of the following combinations covering both arts/humanities and mathematics/science:
  • 2 AP exams with scores of 3 or better;
  • 2 SAT II exams (Minimum score dependent upon subject area. Scores are listed on the Koplik application);
  • 1 SAT II exam and 1 AP exam; or
  • 1 SAT II exam and 1 other achievement; or
  • 1 AP exam and 1 other achievement.

*Students who have graduated high school are not eligible to apply.

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.

Eligible Institutions

An eligible institution is within the system of public higher education under Section 5 of Chapter 15A of the General Laws.

Award Amounts

Click here to view the full value of credit toward tuition, by school, for a full-time student in the current academic year.

Students are also required to maintain a G.P.A. of 3.3 for continued eligibility.

This credit towards tuition cannot be combined with any other tuition credits.

How to Apply

Application forms are available from the Koplik coordinator at your high school or contact Alexia Cribbs at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education at (781) 338-3581 or via email at Koplik@doe.mass.edu. You may also contact the Massachusetts office of Student Financial Assistance at (617) 391-6070 to obtain more information.

Tuition Waiver Guidelines