About
The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) is the state agency responsible for defining the mission of and coordinating the Commonwealth's system of public higher education. It oversees public universities and community colleges in Massachusetts, working to expand access to higher education and ensure academic quality across the state's public higher education institutions.
Funding Opportunities
Paul Tsongas Scholarship
The Paul Tsongas Scholarship is a merit-based program that rewards Massachusetts students with a grade point average (G.P.A.) of 3.75 and highly competitive Scholastic Aptitude Test (S.A.T.) scores of at least 1200 (or the American College Testing [A.C.T.] equivalent). Eligible students receive a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees at a Massachusetts state university. The scholarship is designed to recognize and support high-achieving students who plan to attend one of the eight Massachusetts state universities. Students 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. Recipients must maintain a G.P.A. of 3.3 for continued eligibility for the waiver for four years of study. Each state university may provide five new Paul Tsongas Scholarship Program Tuition Waivers per academic year, making this a competitive and selective opportunity for Massachusetts students seeking higher education.
One Family Scholarship Program
The One Family Scholarship Program was established by the Massachusetts Legislature to assist heads of households in achieving their academic goals. The purpose of the scholarship is to provide the opportunity for a permanent path out of poverty through the pursuit of higher education. Recipients of this scholarship receive an integrated network of services through the non-profit organization, One Family, Inc., whose mission is to serve residents of the Commonwealth who are low-income and homeless, or have experienced homelessness within the prior year. Scholarships may be awarded to cover tuition and fees and related living expenses during the period of enrollment. The value of the tuition and fee portion of the scholarship, in combination with other financial aid, may not exceed the recipient's cost of attendance as determined by the institution. Applicants must be heads of households with children under 18, be at risk of homelessness or have experienced homelessness within the previous 12 months, and be active participants in One Family, Inc. services and activities, including the Leadership Seminar program.
John and Abigail Adams Scholarship
The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship is a merit-based program that provides a credit toward tuition for up to eight semesters of undergraduate education at a Massachusetts state college or university. Merit is based on student scores on the 10th grade Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test. The program aims to reward and inspire student achievement, help attract more high-performing students to Massachusetts public higher education, and provide families of college-bound students with financial assistance. Recipients receive a merit-based tuition credit that varies by institution, with individual awards at State Universities and Community Colleges valued at no more than the resident undergraduate tuition rate, and awards at University of Massachusetts campuses ranging from $1,417 to $1,714 depending on the campus. There is no application process; eligible students are automatically notified in the fall of their senior year in high school.
Massachusetts In-Demand Scholarship Program
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 provides 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, for students who intend to remain in the Commonwealth to pursue their professional careers. 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. Full-time undergraduate students can receive up to four years (eight semesters) for 4-year institutions or two years (four semesters) for community colleges. Part-time undergraduate students can receive up to six years for 4-year institutions or four years for community colleges. Graduate students can receive up to two years (four semesters). Students may also receive an additional payment up to $2,500 for summer term study if funds are available. Eligibility requires Massachusetts residency for at least one year, pursuing a major or program designated as an in-demand profession by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, completing FAFSA or MASFA annually, maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA, and demonstrating satisfactory academic progress. The scholarship is available at all public institutions within the Massachusetts public system of higher education including community colleges, state universities, and the University of Massachusetts campuses.
GEAR UP Scholarship
The GEAR UP Scholarship is part of a national effort to encourage more young people to have high expectations, stay in school, study hard and go to college. Through the Board of Higher Education, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts received a GEAR UP State Grant to provide early college awareness activities, improved academic support, information on paying for college and the GEAR UP Scholarship for students who participated in a component of the GEAR UP Massachusetts Early Intervention initiative. The scholarship is designed for undergraduate students who participated in the Early Intervention component of GEAR UP Massachusetts, graduated from a Massachusetts public high school beginning in 2005, and are less than 22 years of age at the time of first scholarship award. The maximum amount of the GEAR UP scholarship for each academic year should be no less than minimum Pell, and may consist of awards from one or more state financial aid programs. Students automatically receive consideration for a GEAR UP scholarship by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as Massachusetts residents.
Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program
The Early Childhood Educator's Scholarship program is funded subject to the availability of funds and appropriation from the Massachusetts Legislature. The scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance for prospective and currently employed early childhood and out-of-school educators and providers who enroll in a certificate, associates, bachelor's, or master's degree program in an approved area of study. The program was funded as a pilot initiative by the Legislature for the purpose of increasing the quality and availability of teachers and care providers to work with young children and youth, in inclusive settings including infant/toddler, preschool and school age programs. The scholarship is based on a per credit rate, depending on the type of institution, with applicants able to receive scholarships to assist with the cost of no more than three courses per semester during the traditional fall, spring and summer. Award amounts range from $350 per credit at community colleges up to $750 per credit at University of Massachusetts and private colleges/universities, with maximum awards per semester ranging from $3,150 to $6,750 depending on institution type.
Community College Nursing Scholarship Program
The Community College Nursing Scholarship program is designed to attract, incentivize, and encourage a diverse population of students to enroll in and complete a postsecondary credential or degree in the nursing profession at a Massachusetts community college. The program provides 'last dollar' financial assistance to ensure that all eligible students have adequate resources to cover the direct costs of tuition, fees and books towards a certificate or associate degree at a public community college. This scholarship program is intended to encourage more students to consider the nursing health profession as a career path and thus enroll in an approved nursing discipline that will provide the credentials to contribute to the Commonwealth's healthcare workforce. Students must be Massachusetts residents who have completed the FAFSA or MASFA, have not earned a prior associate or baccalaureate degree, and must enroll as matriculated students (minimum 6 credits) in an undergraduate program leading to a certificate or associate degree in nursing at a public community college in Massachusetts.
At a Glance
- Total Funding Opportunities
- 10
- Active Now
- 7
- Source Domain
- mass.edu
Catalog Data
This funder profile was automatically extracted from grant listings. Information may be incomplete.
Visit official website