OSFA welcomes feedback and questions from our visitors. Below are some of the most common questions with responses. If you can’t find the information you are looking for here, please send us an e-mail at osfa@osfa.mass.edu or call (617) 391-6070.
The first step in applying for financial aid is to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Make sure the FAFSA lists the correct academic year for which you are applying for aid.
Secondly, you should contact the financial aid offices at all institutions you are considering in order to request information on each school's financial aid programs and application procedures. For example, many schools require students to complete the CSS/PROFILE in addition to filing a FAFSA. A PROFILE is a financial aid application from The College Scholarship Service. Typically, colleges use this information to assist them in awarding non-federal student aid funds. You should contact the financial aid office at the college or university you are applying to for application requirements.
Third, make sure you review all deadlines as program requirements may vary. Forward all the necessary materials by the specified dates. Keep in mind that many deadlines are receipt dates, not postmark dates.
Fourth, follow-up on any forms you submit if you do not receive a response within a reasonable time frame. Keep copies of all forms you submit for your records!
There are also private and/or community sources of assistance. Research what types of assistance is available to you. To begin, you may want to speak with your high school guidance office.
*****Please note, you must reapply for financial aid each year. *****
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has a priority filing date of May 1st, prior to the start of the academic year, to file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) to be considered for most state financial aid programs. Please be advised that your college and/or other sources of aid may have their own filing deadlines for various forms. You should inquire about those dates. Keep in mind that many deadlines are receipt dates, not postmark dates.
There are several forms of financial aid available including grants, scholarships, employment opportunities and loans. A student's financial aid package may include funds aid from:
The majority of student financial assistance programs are designed to assist those students who have difficulty meeting the costs of a postsecondary education. Therefore most financial aid is determined on the basis of "need". A student's financial need is the difference between the total educational cost and the calculated student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC) or Student Aid Index (SAI).
If you were denied a MASSGrant, the letter you received stated the reasons for your ineligibility. You need to review all enclosed information carefully. You may be able to correct your ineligible status by providing the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance with the proper documentation. You may email our office for more information: osfa@osfa.mass.edu.
You may change your college enrollment information on-line by logging in to the MASSAid Student Portal and selecting the "TRANSFER INSTITUTION" option. Please be aware that the value of your MASSGrant may change due to update in your school enrollment information.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has reciprocity agreements with the following states: Vermont, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia. If you are attending a college in any of those states, you may be able to transfer your MASSGrant award to that particular college.
No. Massachusetts State Financial Aid is only available to residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Students can log into the MASSAid Student Portal to update their demographic information. Please note if you and/or a parent has been flagged for not meeting MA residency requirements, you will not be able to update your address. Students will need to upload documentation proving residency via the MASSAid student portal.
Students can also notify OSFA via email by writing to osfa@osfa.mass.edu.
A student can access their MASSGrant award information on-line via the MASSAid Student Portal and decline one or both semester awards. When the student declines one or both semester awards, our system automatically processes the change and the student can subsequently print a revised letter of eligibility, if needed.
The first step is to complete and file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the published deadline. The Federal Processing Center electronically forwards the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) each Massachusetts resident's FAFSA to determine his/her eligibility for the program.
Massachusetts schools that participate in the program are assigned an allocation of NIL funds to award each academic year. Participating institutions have access to a roster of NIL eligible students from OSFA; the financial aid offices award No Interest Loans as part of its financial aid packaging process. Students that are awarded a NIL must complete a promissory note and entrance interview prior to funds being disbursed to the school.
Students may view his/her No Interest Loan eligibility by logging onto the MASSAid Student Portal. Please be advised that although a student has been determined to be eligible for a NIL does not guarantee that the student will receive the loan. The financial aid office at the school must award the loan as part of the student's financial aid package.
There are approximately fifty (50) public, private and proprietary institutions in Massachusetts participating in the No Interest Loan program. You may contact the financial aid office at your school to inquire if they participate in the NIL program. Institutions outside of Massachusetts are not eligible to participate in the program.
Students are granted a six (6) month grace period which begins upon graduation, withdrawal or less than part time (6 credits) enrollment status. As the end of the grace period approaches borrowers receive notification from ECSI Educational Computer Services, Inc, (ECSI) the servicing agency for the No Interest Loan program. Borrowers will receive monthly billing statements from ECSI. There is no penalty to begin repayment early; borrowers may contact ECSI at 1-888-549-3274.
ECSI Educational Computer Services, Inc is a loan servicing agency on contract with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to bill and collect on the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance's loan programs. Borrowers may contact ECSI at 1-888-549-3274 or visit their borrower web site at https://heartland.ecsi.net/index.html
Borrowers that are enrolled at least part time (6 credits) may be eligible to receive an in-school deferment. To apply for a deferment, borrowers must submit a fully completed Deferment Request Form to ECSI.
No. The No Interest Loan cannot be consolidated with any other debts as it is a no-interest accruing loan.
As per the terms and conditions of the NIL promissory note it is the borrower's responsibility to notify the Commonwealth or its designee (ECSI Education Services) of a change in permanent address. Borrowers may contact ECSI at 1-888-549-3274 or log onto their borrower services web site at https://heartland.ecsi.net/index.html. First time users will need to register in order to be able to view account information.
Yes, ECSI Educational Computer Services, Inc, the servicing agency for the No Interest Loan program has a Borrower's Services web site on which a borrower may view that status of his/her account; check when payment is due, and verify that payment has been applied. Borrowers may visit ECSI web site at https://heartland.ecsi.net/index.html. First time users will need to register in order to be able to view account information.
Yes, ECSI Educational Computer Services, Inc Borrower's Services web site permits borrowers to make payments on its web site at https://heartland.ecsi.net/index.html. First time users will need to register in order to be able to access account information.
As per the terms and conditions of the NIL promissory note when a borrower fails to make an installment payment when due; and that this failure persists for 120 days the account is then considered in default. Defaulted accounts are placed with collection agencies. Once defaulted accounts are placed with collection agencies the borrower must make payment to the assigned agency. You may contact ECSI Education Services 1-888-549-3274 to find out the collection agency that currently has your account(s).
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