Washington Center Program Tuition Waiver

*The following is a brief description for students. Institutions should refer to the most recent guidelines for information.

The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminar provides experiential education opportunities to students of the Massachusetts public college and university system. The program uses the resources of the nation's capital to provide high-quality learning experiences to enhance student's academic, civic and professional development. The purpose of the Washington Center is to promote future leadership for the public, private and non-profit sectors of society. Internship placements include positions in government offices, communication organizations, law firms, trade and professional associations, human right groups and a variety of companies and other organizations. Internships are coupled with required academic courses.

Who Is Eligible?

To be eligible for a Washington Center Tuition Waiver, a student 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; and
• Have approved eligibility status as a “High School Completer,” ¹ per the Massachusetts tuition equity law, ² or be a U.S. Citizen, permanent legal resident, or non-citizen eligible under Title IV regulations.
• Have applied for financial aid, using the standard Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a FAFSA equivalent application authorized by the Department of Higher Education.
• Not be in default of any federal or state Student Loans for attendance at any institution or owe a refund for any previous financial aid received.
• Not have received a prior bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
• Be maintaining satisfactory academic progress in accordance with institutional and federal standards.
• Enroll in an eligible degree program as determined by the institution
• Have obtained a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average
• Meet other eligibility criteria as established by the institution and the Washington Center.
  

¹ See www.mass.edu/tuitionequity for more details.

² Pursuant to Section 9 of Chapter 15A, as amended by Section 11 of Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2023.

Eligible Institutions

The nine Massachusetts state universities:

• Bridgewater State University
• Fitchburg State University
• Framingham State University
• Massachusetts College of Art and Design
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
• Massachusetts Maritime Academy
• Salem State University
• Westfield State University
• Worcester State University

The four undergraduate campuses of the University of Massachusetts:

• UMass Amherst
• UMass Boston
• UMass Dartmouth
• UMass Lowell

Award Amounts

A waiver of tuition by the Board of Higher Education, a waiver of regular mandatory fees by the eligible institution and a housing scholarship of $2,000 provided by the Washington Center.

How to Apply

Contact the financial aid office at the institution you are attending or plan to attend for application requirements or deadlines. You can also contact the DHE’s Office of Student Financial Assistance at (617) 391-6070 to obtain more information.

Tuition Waiver Guidelines