Financial Aid Programs

State Scholarship A scholarship designed to provide financial assistance for currently employed early childhood and out-of-school-time educators and providers who enroll in an associate degree program in Early Childhood Education or a related program. Students must complete an application with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education in order to qualify. For additional information about Massachusetts state grant and scholarship programs, including eligibility requirements, visit the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance website at:https://www.mass.edu/osfa/home/home.asp

The Community College Nursing Scholarship program is designed to provide “last dollar” financial assistance to ensure that all eligible students have adequate resources to fully 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 viable career path and thus enroll in an approved nursing discipline that will provide the credentials to contribute to the Commonwealth’s workforce.

For more information, please go to: https://www.mass.edu/osfa/programs/ccnursingprogram.asp

Students must meet all requirements to be considered for this assistance. Some of these requirements include: complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), has not earned a prior associate or baccalaureate degree, or the equivalent, and enroll, as a matriculated student, on a full-time or part-time basis-minimum of 6 credits. For more information, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.

Need-Based Federal Grant Federal Pell Grant: A need-based grant program from the federal government for undergraduate students with significant financial need. In order to be eligible for a Pell Grant, a student must have a valid Expected Family Contribution that falls within a range that is set by Congress annually. Students must also meet all of the general Title IV student eligibility requirements, and not have a prior bachelor’s degree.

Change in Enrollment: The Federal Pell Grant is subject to change based on your enrollment. A student will initially receive an aid package that is based on anticipated enrollment. However, if changes are made to your enrollment status it is possible your award will be adjusted. Please remember this includes course drops and withdrawals, that will result in reduction of financial aid funds.

We strongly encourage you to contact the Financial Aid Office PRIOR to making any changes to your enrollment so we can counsel you on the impact. This will help you make an informed decision about your enrollment change. Once we have adjusted your financial aid award, a revised award letter will be sent to you in the weeks following your enrollment change.

Not a Need-Based Federal Loan Parents of dependent, undergraduate students may borrow up to the cost of attendance less any other financial aid. Interest rates and origination fees for this loan program can be found at the following U.S. Department of Education’s website.

Repayment of the loan can begin immediately and extend for up to 10 years or payment can be deferred while a student is enrolled at least half-time. During the deferment period interest can be paid monthly, quarterly, or capitalize quarterly. A federal origination fee is deducted from the loan proceeds before it disburses to the students account.

Eligibility is based on the borrower’s creditworthiness. If parents are denied the Federal PLUS Loan, the student becomes eligible for additional Unsubsidized Federal Loans. The PLUS Loan application and the accompanying PLUS loan Master Promissory Note is available online at https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action.

Need-Based Federal Grant A need-based grant from the federal government for undergraduate students with significant financial need. FSEOG is awarded on a funds available basis. Priority is given to students who are recipients of the Federal Pell Grant.

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a need-based, federally funded program that provides part-time jobs to students. Positions are available both on and off campus. The information students provide on the FAFSA, their “federal financial need”, and available funds determine their eligibility for FWS. Students can check their FWS eligibility through Bay Navigator. If a student is eligible, there will be an FWS eligibility item under the student’s “To-Do List”. In addition, qualified students can access the MassBay job portal and apply for open positions.

As for awarded students, they can review their FWS award in Bay Navigator under financial aid. The award notification reflects the maximum amount students may earn during the academic year. FWS employees will receive a paycheck every two weeks based on the actual number of hours worked; FWS funds are not credited to a student’s account, which means earnings are not directly applied to the student’s tuition.

Students who participate in the Federal Work-Study program must first complete the required hiring paperwork with Human Resources, including the I-9, W-4, M-4, Statement of Confidentiality, Employer Authorization Form, and Direct Deposit Form (if so desired).

Students can work a maximum of 18 hours per week during the semester. Students are not permitted to work during scheduled class times. Please note: If students work during scheduled class times, they will not be paid for their time worked.

Need-Based Federal Loan

Direct Subsidized Loans are need-based and do not accrue interest while a student is enrolled at least half-time. Students may receive subsidized loans only within 150% of the average length of your program of study. Once you have reached the end of this limit you are no longer able to receive Direct Subsidized Loans. For example; if you are enrolled in a two-year associates degree program, the maximum period for which you can receive Subsidized Loans is three years (2 x 150% = 3 years).

In essence, students will no longer be able to receive Direct Subsidized Loans for more than 150% of the length of your program. Once you reach the length of your program, you may continue to receive Direct Unsubsidized Loans; however interest will start accruing on the outstanding Subsidized Loans. To review your remaining subsidized loan eligibility students should visit the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) at https://nslds.ed.gov/nslds/nslds_SA (you will need your FSA ID and password to login).

Not a Need-Based Federal Loan Direct Unsubsidized Loans are not need-based. Interest accrues on the loans while a student is enrolled. Accumulated interest may be paid on a quarterly basis while enrolled. However, students may choose to defer the interest and pay it with the principal amount upon graduation or when enrollment drops below the minimum half-time status (6 credits).

First time loan borrowers at MassBay must complete Loan Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN). These documents must be completed to formally accept Loan funds and allow for disbursement of funds to a student account. Loans will not be applied as anticipated aid or disburse to your student account until both documents have been completed. If you would like to accept, reduce or decline your loans please check your MassBay email account for detailed instructions. .You will need to log into Bay Navigator to Accept, Reduce or Decline your student loan.

State Scholarship Recipients of the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship are eligible for a tuition waiver for state-supported day tuition charges. Students are required to maintain a G.P.A. of 3.0 for continued eligibility. There is no application process for this non-need based scholarship. Eligible students will be notified in the fall of their senior year in high school by the MA Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) and must submit a copy of their eligibility letter to the Financial Aid Office. Students may only receive this award for a maximum of four semesters.

Need-Based State Grant A grant awarded to Massachusetts residents who have resided in the state for at least one year. The Mass Cash Grant is awarded on a funds available basis and can only be applied towards tuition and mandatory fee charges.

State Tuition Waiver A tuition waiver designed to provide financial support to individuals who might not have the opportunity to achieve higher education without such assistance.  Eligible categories are available at the following website : https://www.mass.edu/osfa/home/home.asp

Need-Based State Grant A grant awarded in conjunction with the federal and state government and is designed to assist socially disadvantaged students. Students must participate in the GEAR UP Massachusetts program while in high school in order to be eligible.

Need-Based State Grant A need-based grant awarded to part-time students (enrolled in 6 to 11 credits each semester) who are Massachusetts residents for at least one year and who do not have a prior bachelor’s degree. Typically, students eligible for this grant are also eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. The Massachusetts Part-Time Grant is awarded on a funds available basis.

MassReconnect is a grant program designed to attract, incentivize, and encourage a diverse population of adults, age 25 and older, to attend college and earn a postsecondary credential or degree. MassReconnect is designed to provide “last dollar” financial assistance to ensure that eligible community college students have adequate resources to fully cover the direct costs of tuition, fees, books and supplies, towards a certificate or associate degree at a public community college. Students will be eligible for MassReconnect if they:

• Are 25 or older on the first day of classes
• Are enrolled in and pursuing a program of higher education at a public community college
• Have not previously earned a college degree
• Are enrolled in at least 6 credits per semester
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Are a Massachusetts resident

Need-Based Grant A need-based grant awarded to full-time students, (enrolled in 12 credits or more each semester) who are Massachusetts residents for at least one year and who do not have a prior bachelor’s degree. Typically, students eligible for this grant are also eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. A FAFSA must be filed by the May 1 priority deadline to be considered for this grant. Students may only receive this award for a maximum of four semesters.

Need-Based Grant A need-based grant awarded to full-time and part-time students attending Massachusetts public community colleges. Students may be eligible for additional funding to help pay their tuition and fees charges only. For specific details on this program, please visit the Office of Student Financial Assistance website at : https://www.mass.edu/osfa/home/home.asp

Need-Based State Tuition Waiver A state funded, need-based program available to Massachusetts residents who have resided in Massachusetts for at least one year. Awards cannot exceed assessed state-supported day tuition charges.

TFCC is a program through the City of Boston that has committed to paying for up to three years of college for all residents. All Boston residents, regardless of age, income, or immigration status, are eligible for TFCC funds. To be eligible, you must:

Be a Boston resident.

Enroll in an associate degree program or short-term certificate program.

Complete the FAFSA if eligible to do so.

For more information, please visit:
https://www.boston.gov/departments/workforce-development/tuition-free-community-college-plan#eligibility →