MASSGrant & MASSGrant Plus
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
A need-based grant for low-income Massachusetts residents enrolled full-time as undergraduates at a MA college; the companion MASSGrant Plus expands aid to families earning up to $100,000.
Who should apply
Low-income Massachusetts residents starting or continuing full-time undergraduate study at a Massachusetts institution.
Eligibility
MA residents (1+ year) with demonstrated financial need, enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program, no prior bachelor's degree. Determined by FAFSA/MASFA.
What you get
- Need-based grant toward tuition and fees that does not need to be repaid (amount varies by need and institution)
What the application involves
- FAFSA or MASFA
- Full-time enrollment at a MA institution
- Demonstrated financial need
Application tips
- File the FAFSA/MASFA before the May 1 priority deadline.
- Reapply every year to keep the grant.
- Pair with MASSGrant Plus, which expands aid to families earning up to $100,000.
Good to know
No separate application beyond the FAFSA/MASFA. MASSGrant Plus can cover remaining tuition and fees for full-time students from families earning up to $100,000.
Not eligible for this one? These are open anywhere in the U.S.
Being in the wrong state rules out a lot of programs and almost none of the good ones. Here are three you can apply to from anywhere, soonest deadline first.
Apply anytime
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$2,000 No Essay Scholarship
Sallie (SLM Education Services, LLC)
A $2,000 scholarship awarded every month with no essay and no account sign-up required. The form takes about two minutes and you can enter again each month.
Who can apply: Anywhere in the U.S. · grades 11–12 · college
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DoSomething Scholarships ("It Pays to Do Good")
DoSomething.org
Scholarships earned by completing volunteer, social-change, or civic-action campaigns, no essay, GPA, or recommendations required, making them highly accessible to younger students.
Who can apply: Anywhere in the U.S. · grades 9–12
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National Medical Fellowships (NMF) Scholarships & Awards
National Medical Fellowships, Inc.
A long-standing program of need- and merit-based scholarships for students underrepresented in medicine and the health professions. Mostly for medical/graduate health students, a pipeline resource students grow into.
Who can apply: Anywhere in the U.S.