Massachusetts Scholarships

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Closing in 4 Days
$2,000–$4,000
4 Award Winners

NEEBC Scholarship Program

The scholarship program offers up to $5,000 to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled part-time or full-time in human resources-related fields at accredited New England colleges or universities.

Eligible Grades
College Freshman – Postgraduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2024
Application Deadline
April 1, 2024
Closing in 4 Days
$2,000–$4,000
4 Award Winners
Closed
$500
1 Award Winner

Business Scholarship

The GFWC Massachusetts Business Scholarship awards a scholarship to an undergraduate and graduate student who is a legal resident of Massachusetts and pursuing a degree in business-related fields of study.

Eligible Grades
All
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
March 1, 2023
Closed
$500
1 Award Winner
Closed
$500
1 Award Winner

Catherine E Philbin Public Health Scholarship

The scholarship is awarded to undergraduate and graduate students who are legal residents of Massachusetts and pursuing a degree in a public health-related field.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate – Postgraduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
March 1, 2023
Closed
$500
1 Award Winner
Closed
$500
1 Award Winner

Communication Disorder & Speech Therapy Scholarship

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs awards this scholarship to a graduate student who is a legal resident of Massachusetts and pursuing a postgraduate degree in the field.

Eligible Grades
Graduate – Postgraduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
March 1, 2023
Closed
$500
1 Award Winner
Closed
$500
1 Award Winner

Education Teaching Scholarship

The scholarship awards a high school senior who is a legal resident of Massachusetts and plans to enroll in a four-year college or university degree program to become a teacher.

Eligible Grades
High School Senior
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
March 1, 2023
Closed
$500
1 Award Winner
Closed
$500
1 Award Winner

International Study Abroad Scholarship

The General Federation Of Women's Clubs Massachusetts awards one undergraduate and/or graduate student the International Study Abroad Scholarship of $500 to complete their degree abroad.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate – Postgraduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
March 1, 2023
Closed
$500
1 Award Winner
Closed
$500
1 Award Winner

Julia Ward Howe Political Science Scholarship

The General Federation Of Women's Clubs Massachusetts awards college students the Julia Ward Howe Political Science Scholarship of $500 to complete their studies.

Eligible Grades
All
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
March 1, 2023
Closed
$500
1 Award Winner
Closed
$500
1 Award Winner

Music Scholarship for Undergraduate

The General Federation Of Women's Clubs Massachusetts awards the scholarship to an undergraduate student currently enrolled in a four-year accredited college, university, or school of music and majoring in voice.

Eligible Grades
All
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
March 1, 2023
Closed
$500
1 Award Winner
Closed
$500
1 Award Winner

Nickels for Notes Music Scholarship

General Federation Of Women's Clubs Massachusetts offers Nickels for Notes Music Scholarship to college-bound high school seniors who plan to major in music education, piano, music therapy, instrument, or voice.

Eligible Grades
High School Senior – High School Graduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
March 1, 2023
Closed
$500
1 Award Winner
Closed
$500
1 Award Winner

Pennies for Art Scholarship

The General Federation Of Women's Clubs Massachusetts (GFWC) offers Pennies for Art Scholarship of $500 to one high school student to pursue an undergraduate degree in arts.

Eligible Grades
High School Senior
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
March 1, 2023
Closed
$500
1 Award Winner
Closed
$1,500
1 Award Winner

Elson T. Killam Memorial Scholarship

NEWWA offers the Elson T. Killam Memorial Scholarship of $1,500 to an outstanding student enrolled in a civil or environmental engineering program at a four-year college or university.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
April 1, 2023
Closed
$1,500
1 Award Winner
Closed
$3,000
1 Award Winner

Francis X. Crowley Scholarship

NEWWA offers the Francis X. Crowley Scholarship of $3,000 is offered to undergraduate students enrolled in civil or environmental engineering programs or business management programs at a four-year college or university.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
April 1, 2023
Closed
$3,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner

George E. Watters Memorial Scholarship

New England Water Works Association awards the George E. Watters Memorial Scholarship of $5,000 scholarship to one undergraduate student in a civil engineering program at a four-year college or university.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
April 1, 2023
Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$1,500
1 Award Winner

Joseph Murphy Scholarship

New England Water Works Association (NEWWA) awards the Joseph Murphy Scholarship of $1,500 to an undergraduate student enrolled in civil engineering, environmental engineering, or any subject related to water management.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
April 1, 2023
Closed
$1,500
1 Award Winner
Closed
$1,500
1 Award Winner

Michael Garofano Memorial Scholarship

The scholarship is awarded to a student passionate to promote policies and practices to provide safe drinking water and pursue an academic career in civil, environmental, or water management sciences.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
April 1, 2023
Closed
$1,500
1 Award Winner
Closed
$2,000
1 Award Winner

NEWWA Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship

The NEWWA Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship Program provides one or more scholarships of $2,000 to undergraduate and graduate students seeking careers in water works.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate – Postgraduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
April 1, 2023
Closed
$2,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$1,000
20 Award Winners

Cathay Bank Foundation Scholarship

The Cathay Bank Foundation Scholarship offers twenty $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors.

Eligible Grades
High School Senior
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
April 30, 2023
Closed
$1,000
20 Award Winners
Closed
$2,500
2 Award Winners

Elevated Boston Leadership Scholarship

Elevated Boston Leadership Scholarship offers two scholarships of $2,500 each to undergraduate and graduate students to pursue college degrees in the study of their choice in Massachusetts.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate – Postgraduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
April 30, 2023
Closed
$2,500
2 Award Winners
Closed
$1,417–$1,714
1 Award Winner

John and Abigail Adams Scholarship

The scholarship provides a tuition credit for up to eight semesters of undergraduate education at a Massachusetts state college/university, based on students' scores on MCAS tests.

Eligible Grades
High School Freshman – High School Graduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
May 1, 2023
Closed
$1,417–$1,714
1 Award Winner
Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner

AALAM/Dow Fund Scholarship

AALAM/Dow Fund Scholarship awards one $5,000 scholarship to an outstanding Asian American law student, who is committed to bettering the Asian American community, to support their studies.

Eligible Grades
Graduate – Postgraduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
May 8, 2023
Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$1,500
185 Award Winners

¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award program

The ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award program offers 185 $1,500 flight e-passes to undergraduate and graduate students who travel away from home to study.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate – Postgraduate
Application Open Date
March 1, 2023
Application Deadline
May 15, 2023
Closed
$1,500
185 Award Winners
Closed
$5,000

NERC College/Graduate Scholarship

The Korean American Scholarship Foundation (KASF) offers NERC College/Graduate Scholarship to qualified students of Korean descent, including international students from Korea, to further their education.

Eligible Grades
High School Junior – Graduate
Application Open Date
April 1, 2023
Application Deadline
June 30, 2023
Closed
$5,000
Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner

Stanley R. Arnold Scholarship

The scholarship, sponsored by New England State and Local Tax Forum, is awarded to one student enrolled in a qualifying tax program, pursuing MST, J.D., or LL.M degrees.

Eligible Grades
Graduate – Postgraduate
Application Open Date
April 1, 2023
Application Deadline
July 1, 2023
Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$500
30 Award Winners

Study.com November Scholarships

The Study.com November Scholarships offer 30 students in any field of study from the United States or 25 specific states a $500 scholarship each to pursue their undergraduate studies.

Eligible Grades
All
Application Open Date
May 2, 2023
Application Deadline
November 1, 2023
Closed
$500
30 Award Winners
Closed
$3,000
1 Award Winner

ASHRAE Region I Setty Family Foundation Scholarship

ASHRAE Setty Family Foundation Scholarship annually awards a $3,000- scholarship to an undergraduate student studying mechanical or architectural engineering at a post-secondary educational institution within ASHRAE Region I.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
December 1, 2023
Closed
$3,000
1 Award Winner

About Massachusetts Scholarships

Massachusetts is located in the upper eastern part of the United States. The state has many colleges and universities with about 150 institutions of higher education. It houses some of the most renowned institutions in the country like Harvard University. Students studying in Massachusetts enjoy a rich college experience and prestigious academic programs too. The state is ranked at #3 by the U.S. News in overall Education rankings of states in the country.

The state of Massachusetts is home to around 483,299 tertiary student enrolments and a lot of these students are studying with the help of loans. On average, per student debt here equals around $34,146. This debt creates a long-term financial burden on students and limits them from spending money on other important things in the future. This is because most students end up giving up part of their monthly income for making loan repayments, which they could have spent on improving their and their family’s living standards. To avoid this liability, students should make use of other financial resources first. Some options to consider include work-study, federal/state grants, and scholarships.

There are multiple Massachusetts scholarships available for students pursuing higher education within the state. Scholarships provide an opportunity for those who may not have the financial resources to take advantage of a college education, allowing them to pursue their dreams and gain the skills they need to be successful. These scholarships can help pay for tuition and also other college-related living expenses. There are also full-ride scholarships that can help cover the full cost of attendance at an institution.

We have listed more than 25 Massachusetts scholarships along with information on how to get them. There are options available for students across all levels of tertiary education and of all backgrounds.

Colleges in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has around 150 higher education institutes currently operating with a majority of private institutions. Private institutions comprise about 72% of the total and the rest are public institutions. Around 87 of the total are four-year colleges, 22 are community colleges and around 41 are trade/vocational schools. Some of the most prestigious institutions in Massachusetts include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, and Boston College.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA, and has an urban setting. It ranks at second number on the list of best national universities in America according to the U.S. News. Being a private institution, its tuition is on the higher end of the scale around $60,156. It is a hard university to get into also as it requires good grades and the acceptance rate is only 4%. The room and board at the university for the year 2023- 2024 cost approximately
$19,390.

Massachusetts houses the prestigious Harvard University which is well-known around the world for its high education standards. It is third on the list of best national universities. The private university is located in Cambridge and the average tuition and fees here cost about $59,076. Those who wish to stay on campus would have to pay for the room and board too which costs an extra $20,374 (2023-24). Harvard University also has high academic requirements for admission with an average accepted GPA of around 3.9 and an SAT score of above 1490. The acceptance rate is only about 3%.

Boston College is another 4-year private institution located in Chestnut Hill, MA, and is based in a suburban setting. It has a higher acceptance rate than the previous two universities at 17%. The tuition and fees here cost $67,680 and room and board is $18,475 for the year ending 2024. Some of the more popular majors at this university include Economics, Biology/biological sciences, and Developmental and Child Psychology.

Colleges That Accept 3.0 GPA in Massachusetts

You can find many colleges in Massachusetts that accept students with a 3.0 GPA, a ‘B’ grade, or even slightly lower. A few options include Dean College, Framingham State University, American International College, and Salem State University. These are all 4-year colleges and universities.

Dean College is located in the city of Franklin. It is a private college with a good acceptance rate of about 75.9%. It typically accepts students with a B- grade and a GPA of at least around 2.88 on average. This college also does not require the SAT or ACT which makes getting admissions here easier. It is a free school to apply to as it does not charge any admission fees.

The Framingham State University is a public institution located in Framingham. It has a high acceptance rate of about 87.4% and an average accepted GPA of around 3.07 or better. SATs/ACTs are optional at the university and only around 17% of the admissions submitted them. The range of SAT scores of accepted students falls between 1010-1200 on average.

American International College is another option for students with GPAs of around 2.91 or better or B- grades. It is located in the city of Springfield and is a private institution. Being a private college, its tuition fee is towards the higher end of the scale – around $40,550. It is a small school with an 89.4% acceptance rate with SATs/ACTs being optional.

Salem State University has the highest acceptance rate of 92.7% among the ones mentioned. It is a public institution with average admission GPA of about 3.17 or better. Only 2% of the enrollments usually submit SAT scores at this university ranging between 986-1210 on average, as they are not a compulsory requirement at the institution. There is also an application fee of $50 to apply to Salem State University.

Cost of College in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is one of the most expensive states to study college in and generally ranks among the top 5 costliest states to study. In terms of the in-state tuition for private institutions, Massachusetts has the highest average of $47,000. The tuition and fees costs in the state range from around $13,000 to more than $65,000.

Tufts College, located in Medford, has the highest cost of college as tuition and fees is around $67,844. Other expensive institutions in the state include Boston College, Boston University, Northeastern University, Brandeis University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. All these institutions’ tuition and fees totals up to amounts above $60,000. Moreover, the total cost rises for those looking to stay on campus as room and board costs between $17,092 to $20,880 for the year 2023-24 at these universities with Northeastern University being at the highest end of the scale. A more affordable option for students looking for a private institution is Lesley University which charges $31,364 for tuition and fees.

Some of the more affordable institutions include some of the public options like the University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth which charges $14,854 for in-state tuition and fees, the University of Massachusetts – Lowell costing $16,570 to in-state students, and the University of Massachusetts – Boston that charges $15,535 from in-state students for tuition and fees. The room and board at these three campuses are also more affordable ranging between $14,620 to $17,332 (2023-24).

In Massachusetts, the institutions with lower tuition costs are still highly expensive when compared to average tuition costs nationally. Massachusetts scholarships can help cover some of the tuition costs and make education more affordable without loans in this particular state. Some scholarship options to consider include the Henry David Thoreau Scholarship, the Francis X. Crowley Scholarship, and the Greater Boston PFLAG Scholarship.

Massachusetts Student Demographics

Massachusetts has a total college student population of around 483,299, out of which approximately 332,232 are undergraduate enrollments and the other 31% consists of graduate students. The female student population dominates in Massachusetts being around 58% of the total enrollments.

White Americans make up the largest proportion of the student population as there are around 234,563 studying in higher education institutes in Massachusetts. Hispanics follow with 57,003 student population out of the total. Asians and Black/African Americans make up the next largest proportion with 43,765 and 38,674 respectively. American Indian/Native American and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders make up the smallest percentage of the total which is even less than 1% in both cases.

Average Student Debt in Massachusetts

Massachusetts contributes around $30.8 billion to the national total of more than a trillion. This debt is spread over more than 900,000 student borrowers and the average student loan debt is around $34,146, which is higher than the national average of $28,950. Around 24.7% of these borrowers in Massachusetts owe $20,000 to $40,000 in student loans. Getting Massachusetts scholarships can help prevent students from getting into such heavy debt.

How to Get Massachusetts Scholarships

How To Apply

The following are the main steps to apply for any scholarship:

1. Check Eligibility:

Scholarship websites are the easiest place to find most scholarship opportunities as they list all the available options under one roof. They also list scholarships according to state, college major, demographic, and grade level. You can also filter them according to the parameters provided to narrow down the list. This makes it easier to find scholarships that are best suited to you. Go through the eligibility requirements of the scholarships thoroughly to make sure that you qualify to save time. Some scholarships may be need-based and are awarded based on the financial need of the student, while others may be based on merit.

2. Understand the Application Requirements:

It is important to understand what the scholarship demands for submitting a strong application.

Scholarship applications may require some or all of the following:

  • Scholarship Application Form: Scholarship application is unique for each scholarship and is a must to be considered as an applicant. It usually asks for general information about the application like their name, date of birth, education, address, and so on. It may also contain a few short answer questions relevant to the scholarship.
  • Essay: Many scholarships require an essay along with the application form. Applicants can make themselves stand out via their essays. Therefore, you should take proper time and put in good effort when writing one. It’s important that your essay is original, and represents your personality and opinions.
  • Letters of Recommendation: A letter of recommendation can be written by your personal or professional references. Some scholarships specifically demand letters of recommendation from teachers. The letter contains reasons for why the applicant is a deserving one. It assesses the applicant’s qualities, characteristics, strengths, capabilities, and academic performance, which kind of acts as a character certificate when applying for scholarships.
  • Grade Transcripts: Many scholarships whether they are merit-based or need-based usually require school transcripts that show the academic performance of an individual. You can get a copy through your school’s website or the office and attach it to the application form.
  • Resume: A resume is where an applicant can highlight their skills and accomplishments. It does not have to have work experiences only but can also include mentions of any societies or extra-curricular activities that you have been a part of, and any special courses that you have completed that equipped you with a certain skill.
  • Financial Information: Many need-based scholarships may ask you to provide financial information that may include information about your family income and any financial aid that you may have received.
  • FAFSA: Some scholarships require applicants to apply for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for them. These are mainly need-based scholarships.
  • Portfolio or Video Submission: There are a few scholarships that ask for video or portfolio submissions. This usually applies to art major scholarships as videos and portfolios are how an applicant can show their skills. Some scholarships do not have other requirements and are like contests where participants have to make a project and provide a picture or video of it to enter and win.
  • School Verification: A school verification letter verifies which school the candidate is attending or has attended, the dates when they started and finished a program, and also includes a list of any certificates or degrees earned.
  • Standardized Test Scores: Occasionally, you may need to provide a copy of your SAT or ACT scores. These are standardized test scores that most colleges and universities require for admission.

3. Order Scholarships According to Submission Deadlines:

It is important to arrange the scholarships according to the deadlines to make sure that you take advantage of every opportunity. Timing is very important and the earlier you apply the better it is. It is always wise to start early too because it may take time to complete all the submission requirements like writing essays and getting letters of recommendation in hand. Time should, especially, be invested in scholarships that require an essay as it takes a lot of time, planning, and effort to write a good one.

4. Proofread:

Once you have completed your application and the associated requirements, make sure to go through them all thoroughly at least once. You can also get a friend or someone from the family to help you proofread for mistakes and errors.

5. Submit your Application:

After you have taken your time filling out the application form, writing the essay, collecting all the required documents, and proofreading – it is time to submit. Most applications now require online submissions and may take a few minutes only if you have everything ready to upload. Keep track of the status of your application process and keep in mind that it may take some time to receive an answer. You may put in a follow-up email if you haven’t received any reply for some time.

Tips For Applying

  • Start looking early: Don’t wait until the last minute to look for Massachusetts scholarships. Many organizations have deadlines that are months before the school year even starts, so it pays to begin your search as soon as possible. Make sure you research, apply, and submit all necessary documents on time to maximize your chances of winning scholarships.
  • Network: Many of the scholarship opportunities come through networking and contacts, so make sure you take full advantage of your connections. Utilize family members, friends, contacts from any organizations or clubs you are part of, and even faculty members at your school to learn about different scholarship options in the area.
  • Seek out local scholarships: Many organizations offer scholarships specifically for local students. Look up businesses and community groups in the area, as they often have scholarship programs available. You can also check with your school’s guidance office or college counseling department to see if they know of any opportunities.
  • Read the requirements carefully: Once you have a narrowed-down list of scholarships, make sure to read the requirements carefully so you fully understand what is required.
  • Do not rush when applying: Take your time and apply early. This allows sufficient time to gather all the required documents and also write a great essay if needed.
  • Brainstorm for an essay and outline: If an essay is required, always start with brainstorming, then arrange your ideas and make an outline to follow. Unique, personalized, and lively essays have a better chance of qualifying than general and dull ones. Make sure that you understand the topic before starting.
  • Customize application: Some students submit the same application, essays, and letters of recommendation to all organizations. It is better to thoroughly research the organization and what they are actually looking for before and customize your application and essays accordingly. You can also mention what the organization is looking for to people who are writing your recommendation letters so they can make it more relevant rather than general. However, it is important to be honest and avoid including things just for the sake of qualifying and getting a scholarship.
  • Check and Proofread: You may be surprised at the amount of grammatical mistakes and other errors that you may come across when rereading your application and essays. Those applicants who submit applications full of errors appear irresponsible and undetermined to scholarship providers.

Massachusetts Scholarships For High School Juniors

NERC College/Graduate Scholarship is a great scholarship for juniors studying in high school, offering up to $5,000. It is administered by the Korean American Scholarship Foundation (KASF) which is a nonprofit organization established to help Korean-American students financially with education. It also requires the applicant to have a good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 3.0 to be considered.

Massachusetts Scholarships For High School Seniors

High school students should apply for as many scholarships as possible so they can accumulate enough money to support most of their college tuition independently. Following are some of the best scholarships to consider for high school seniors in Massachusetts.

  1. Education Teaching Scholarship
  2. Nickels for Notes Music Scholarship
  3. Pennies for Art Scholarship
  4. Cathay Bank Foundation Scholarship
  5. Greater Boston PFLAG Scholarship
  6. Henry David Thoreau Scholarship

Massachusetts Scholarships for All Undergraduate Students

Massachusetts Scholarships for Graduate Students

A lot of graduate students also complete their education with the help of loans. To avoid this, graduate students can look at the following scholarships suggested. There are various options available that can help pay a part of college tuition and related expenses.

  1. Catherine E Philbin Public Health Scholarship
  2. International Study Abroad Scholarship
  3. NEWWA Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship
  4. Elevated Boston Leadership Scholarship
  5. ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award program

Massachusetts Teacher Scholarships

Education Teaching Scholarship is one of the scholarships that is specifically for students pursuing a degree in education/teaching. It is distributed by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) and awards a minimum of $500 to high school seniors in Massachusetts set to join teacher-training programs at accredited universities or colleges.

Massachusetts Nursing Scholarships

There are not many nursing-related scholarships offered in the state, however, nursing students can apply to the Catherine E Philbin Public Health Scholarship which is for students enrolled in public health and healthcare majors. It is available to undergraduate and postgraduate students and is only available to Massachusetts residents. Some other general non-major specific scholarships nursing students can consider include the Greater Boston PFLAG Scholarship and Elevated Boston Leadership Scholarship.

Massachusetts Women Scholarships

Women make up a greater proportion of the student population in Massachusetts. In many cases, women specifically need greater financial assistance with their studies due to additional responsibilities that some women, like single mothers, have. Following are some scholarship options to consider for women.

  1. Elevated Boston Leadership Scholarship
  2. Nickels for Notes Music Scholarship
  3. Music Scholarship for Undergraduate
  4. Cathay Bank Foundation Scholarship

Merit scholarships at Massachusetts Colleges and Universities

There are many scholarships that universities offer to their enrolled students. Some of these are based on merit while others are need-based or based on a specific talent. Some examples of the best universities in Massachusetts that offer merit-based scholarships include Boston College, Bridgewater State University, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Boston College also considers financial need and academic excellence both when choosing scholarship winners. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship is awarded to students with superior academics and also those who demonstrate leadership qualities, community service, and involvement specifically with the African American community and issues. The winning student receives up to $35,000 that they can use toward senior year tuition. Other scholarships based on academic excellence that the university offers include the Romero Scholarship, Benigno and Corazon Aquino Scholarship, and Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program. The Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program supports full tuition for 18 incoming freshman students.

Bridgewater State University awards $4.5M in merit scholarships annually to first-year students with outstanding academic achievement and a GPA that is at least 3.40. A few of their scholarships include the Tsongas Scholarship, Presidential Merit Scholarship, and Recognition of Scholastic Excellence (ROSE) Merit Scholarship which all awards around $11,000 per year. Other scholarships with smaller awards include the Horace Mann Merit Scholarship which awards $5000 per year, the Crimson Merit Scholarship awarding $5,000 per year, and the Bear Merit Scholarship which gives $3,000 per year.

Another option for a university offering merit scholarships is the University of Massachusetts (UMAS) Amherst. UMAS Amherst offers the UMass Amherst Chancellor’s, Director’s and Dean’s Scholarships and Awards to students who demonstrate academic excellence. It does not base the decision on high school GPA recalculates a GPA for every applicant, using the same weighting for honors, AP, and college coursework. Some other prominent scholarships at this institution include the UMass Amherst Flagship Award, Honors-to-Honors Scholarship, and the Academic Honors Scholarship. There is a plethora of other scholarships that this university supports and that are based on academic excellence. You can filter them on their scholarship search portal or contact their financial aid office for further information.

Resources for Massachusetts Scholarships

Scholaroo has provided more than 25 Massachusetts scholarships for students across all levels of higher education. There are also some state-based scholarships available to Massachusetts residents that students can find on the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (MASS) website.

A few of the main state-based scholarships provided by the MASS include the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship which offers up to $1,714, the Agnes M. Lindsay Scholarship Program which distributes varying awards, Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program which gives up to a maximum of $4,500 per semester, and Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program awarding variable amounts, and Massachusetts High Demand Scholarship Program which awards up to $6,500 per year.

GFWC Massachusetts, a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), provides various scholarships to students too. Some options that they have listed on their webpage include Robin O’Connor ~ GFWC MA Scholarship, Lynne Stader ~ Memorial Education Scholarship, Women’s Italian Club of Boston Scholarship,​Boston City Federation Scholarship, Catherine E. Philbin Scholarship, ​Education – Teaching Scholarship, Memorial Education Scholarships for Graduate Study and Business Scholarship. Most of their scholarships start from $500 but some like the Memorial Education Scholarships for Graduate Study award at least $3,000 in scholarship money.

Some other organizations students can look into for Massachusetts scholarships include the Henry David Thoreau Foundation and the New England Water Works Association (NEWWA). Students can always contact the local churches and the non-profit organizations within their vicinity to check for any scholarships that they offer. Moreover, universities and colleges also provide various scholarships to their students. Students can contact the financial aid office of their institution to find out about in-house scholarships available.

Massachusetts Student College Grants

The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education has multiple grants for students undertaking college education within the state. Some of the main grants it offers are the Foster Child Grant, MASSGrant and MASSGrant Plus, Gilbert Matching Student Grant Program, Cash Grant Program, and Part-Time Grant Program.

The Foster Child Grant pays up to $6,000 annually to support selected foster children in Massachusetts pursuing higher education. The MASSGrant and MASSGrant Plus are need-based grants that are based on FAFSA and are only provided to undergraduate students residing in and studying in Massachusetts. The amount for MASSGrants varies each as they are based on the financial needs of the students.

Nursing students can take advantage of the Gilbert Matching Student Grant Program as it is available to students in eligible institutions and schools of nursing. The Cash Grant can be used by students as a complementary grant to tuition waiver grants, as it provides money to cover additional charges such as mandatory fees and non-state-supported tuition. For part-time students, the Part-Time Grant Program can help pay a part of college expenses. However, the Part-Time Grant also requires the submission of FAFSA to determine eligibility and the grant money starts from $200 to a maximum that depends on the type of institution that the student attends.

Frequently asked questions

Does Massachusetts offer scholarships?

There are many scholarships available to students studying in the state and we have listed them above. Following are some of the top Massachusetts scholarships to consider:

  1. Elevated Boston Leadership Scholarship
  2. John and Abigail Adams Scholarship
  3. NEWWA Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship
  4. George E. Watters Memorial Scholarship

What is the easiest type of scholarship to get?

Scholarships with minimum requirements are easier to get. Some of the easier scholarships to qualify for are as follows:

  1. Elson T. Killam Memorial Scholarship
  2. Francis X. Crowley Scholarship
  3. George E. Watters Memorial Scholarship
  4. Joseph Murphy Scholarship
  5. Study.com November Scholarships

What is MA Cash Grant?

This is a need-based grant program run by the state that grants money to cover additional charges such as mandatory fees and non-state-supported tuition. The student must be a permanent legal resident of Massachusetts for at least one year before the start of the academic year for which the grant is awarded.

Who gets the Abigail Adams scholarship?

The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship is based on students’ first-time MCAS test scores in high school. It is available to students pursuing higher education full-time after high school and only those with exceptional test scores are considered for the award.

Are there full-ride scholarships in Massachusetts?

Henry David Thoreau Scholarship is one of the full-ride scholarships available in Massachusetts that awards up to $25,000 for tuition and related expenses. It is for students pursuing environmental studies and who have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in high school.