College is a significant investment, and it takes a lot of planning to find affordable ways to pay for it. Saving early and often will always help prepare you for these costs, but did you know that in Massachusetts there are additional opportunities to reduce college costs as you earn your degree? The following programs have been designed to help make higher education a reality for students and families across the Commonwealth.
MassTransfer
MassTransfer provides several benefits for students transitioning from a MA community college to a MA 4-year public college or university. MassTransfer guarantees transfer admission from an associate to a bachelor’s degree program (A2B) and has powerful savings for students and their families, making it easier and more affordable for students to earn a bachelor’s degree in Massachusetts. Once students graduate from their community college program, they can receive various MassTransfer benefits as they transition to their 4-year college or university based on their final community college GPA. Learn more.
MA State Financial Aid
Whether you apply for college admission at a two or four-year school, know that Massachusetts offers several types of financial aid to help with college costs, including grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, no-interest loans, and tuition reimbursement. Colleges and universities will automatically consider you for most types of aid available, though there are certain opportunities that require additional steps.
Requirements
- Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®)
- Demonstrate financial need or academic merit or meet other qualifications based on type of aid
Tuition Equity Law
As a subset of MA financial aid, the recent Tuition Equity Law allows undocumented students to receive Massachusetts state financial aid and in-state tuition rates at public colleges in Massachusetts by completing the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA).
MassReconnect
If you’re a Massachusetts resident 25 years of age or older, MassReconnect will pay for your tuition and fees to earn an associate degree or certificate at any Massachusetts community college, and also provide an allowance to cover your books and supplies.
Requirements
- Be 25 or older on the first day of class
- Reside in MA for at least one year with an intent to stay
- Be a U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or eligible non-citizen under Title IV regulations
- Have no prior associate or bachelor’s degree
- Enroll in at least six credits per semester in an approved program of study
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress
- Submit the FAFSA (in order to max out eligibility for federal financial aid first)
MassEducate
MassEducate makes community college (tuition and fees) free for all Massachusetts residents, no matter their age or income. Some students are even eligible to receive an allowance for books and supplies. Students must:
- Complete the FAFSA (in order to max out eligibility for federal financial aid first)
- Enroll in a MA community college with at least six credits per semester in a program of study leading to an associate degree or certificate
- Have resided in MA for at least one year, as of the start of school
- Have earned a HS degree or equivalent
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP)
Tuition Break
As you begin the admissions process and start your search for affordable college options, make sure to explore Tuition Break. Created by the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE), Tuition Break provides Massachusetts students a reduction on tuition prices when enrolling in eligible out-of-state academic programs not offered at an in-state school. As you consider potential majors and colleges, make Tuition Break part of your planning. You can also read our interview with the Director of Tuition Break.
Requirements
- Be a resident of a New England state
- Enroll at a New England college or university in an eligible major not offered at a public college or university in your home state
- Work with the college or university to ensure approved participation in Tuition Break
The New England Transfer Guarantee
The New England Transfer Guarantee is an admission transfer guarantee, in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. The initiative is modeled on state transfer policy and offers associate degree holders who have met the GPA eligibility criteria guaranteed admission into participating four-year independent institutions, with a focus on the liberal arts. Additional features of the Guarantee include an application fee waiver, financial aid and scholarship incentives, and full transfer of associate degree credits.
