Frequently Asked Questions

Financial aid is money to help pay for college or career school. There are several forms of financial aid available including grants, scholarships, work study and loans.

• Grant: A grant is a monetary gift, often based on financial need, that does not need to be repaid as long as the student meets the requirements. For example, if you withdraw from school and owe a refund, you may need to return/repay the grant.
• Scholarships: A scholarship is money awarded to students based on academic merit or other achievements/criteria to help pay for educational expenses. Typically, they do not have to be repaid, provided the student meets the requirements noted in the scholarship offer. They can be a one-time gift or renewable, depending on the scholarship.
• Loans: A loan is money that is borrowed from the state government, federal government or a private source like a bank or financial institution. Loans must be paid back, typically with interest, regardless of whether the student continues to be enrolled in school or completes their degree.
• Tuition Waivers: A tuition waiver is a financial aid program designed to help reduce part or all of your tuition costs.
• Work Study: Federal funding for eligible part-time jobs for students who qualify. Work study is paid directly to students working in eligible jobs.

The MA Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) has a variety of merit and need-based grants, scholarships, no-interest loan, and tuition waiver programs available. Visit our State Financial Aid Programs page for more information.

For additional resources, please contact the Financial Aid Office at the college or university you wish to attend.

Students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or, if ineligible to complete the FAFSA, then the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA).

• Make sure you are applying for the correct academic year for which you are/will be enrolled in school. You must reapply for financial aid every year you will be enrolled in school.
• CAUTION: Students must only submit ONE application. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in substantial delays to financial aid application processing and may potentially impact the applicant's state financial aid award.

• The FAFSA is the U.S. Department of Education’s official form used to determine a student’s eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid. The FAFSA should be completed by students who are U.S. Citizens or eligible non-citizens.
• The MASFA is the Massachusetts Department of Education’s official form used to determine a student’s eligibility for state and institutional financial aid. The MASFA should only be completed by students who are ineligible/unable to file a FAFSA and meet the “MA High School Completer” pathway.
• Please note you cannot be considered for aid via FAFSA or MASFA if you are in the following non-immigrant visa classifications: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S.

• Contact the financial aid office at each of the institutions you are applying to for more information on their financial aid programs and application procedures.
  • For example, some schools require students to complete the CSS/PROFILE in addition to filing a FAFSA (or MASFA). Typically, colleges use this information to assist them in awarding non-federal student aid funds.
• There may be private and/or community sources of assistance. Research what types of assistance are available to you.
  • If you’re in high school, speak to your guidance counselor
  • If you’re in college, reach out to your college’s financial aid office

• 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 (FAFSA) or Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA) to be considered for most state financial aid programs.
• Review our Important Dates and Deadlines page for more information on specific program application dates by award year.
• Be advised that your college and/or other sources of aid may have their own filing deadlines for various forms and applications. Be sure to check directly with the school or program so you do not miss any important deadlines.
• Keep in mind that many deadlines are receipt dates, not postmark dates.

Most financial aid programs are designed to help students and families who may need assistance covering the cost of college or other postsecondary education. Because of this, much of the financial aid available is based on financial need.

A student’s financial need is generally determined by comparing the cost of attending a school with the student’s Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI is calculated using information provided on the FAFSA (or MASFA).

There are also other factors that can determine a student’s financial aid eligibility:

• For financial aid purposes, a dependent student is anyone under the age of 24 who does not qualify for any of the exemptions noted on the FAFSA/MASFA.
  • The financial information of both students and their contributors will be used to determine eligibility for need-based financial aid for dependent students, regardless of the parent/guardian’s ability or willingness to pay for educational expenses
• For financial aid purposes, an independent student is anyone over the age of 24 or who meets one or more of the following:
  • A graduate or professional student
  • Married
  • A student with children or other dependents
  • On active-duty military service
  • A veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
  • An orphan or ward of the court
  • In foster care at any time, age 13 or older
  • In legal guardianship or emancipated minor status as of the date of application
  • Determined to be an unaccompanied homeless youth

After you’ve completed the FAFSA (or MASFA) and have been admitted to your selected colleges, you will begin to receive your financial aid award letters (typically beginning in early/mid spring).

The financial aid award letter will contain information such as:

• Cost of Attendance (COA): This includes tuition and fees, room and board (if applicable), books, transportation and other college/program charges (varies by institution/program type).
• Financial Aid Offered: This typically reflects any aid offered to you at the federal, state and institutional level, if you are eligible. This may include grants, scholarships, work study and loans.

If you have questions regarding your award letter, reach out directly to the school(s) for more information and/or clarification.

MASSAid is the online platform that the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance uses to administer state financial aid.

In the MASSAid Student Portal, students can view their eligibility for certain state aid programs (such as MASSGrant) and apply for specific Massachusetts state financial aid programs.

With a Student Portal account, students may:

• Apply for scholarships offered by OSFA (only scholarships currently open will be visible in the portal);
• Review their eligibility for the MASSGrant program
• Submit a request to update their personal information (i.e., name, home address)
• Update institution and enrollment information for specific aid programs
• Upload specific documentation related to OSFA financial aid program eligibility
• Send emails directly to OSFA and aid program managers
• First year students may also utilize the OSFA cost calculator to compare certain cost and aid information at Massachusetts institutions.

Students who have filed (or will file) a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Massachusetts State Financial Aid Application (MASFA) can create a MASSAid Student Portal account.

• If you have filed a FAFSA, use the MASSAid Student Portal link to create your account.
  • Your name, date of birth and Social Security Number must match exactly as it appears on your FAFSA
  • The MASSAid portal is different from the FAFSA. Your FAFSA login credentials will not work in MASSAid.
• If you are filing the MASFA for the first time, create your account based on the application you need to complete.
  • 2026-2027 MASFA
  • 2027-2028 MASFA - application link will be available later this fall

NOTE: If you have previously created a MASSAid Student portal account, do not attempt to create a new one.

• Use MASSAid Portal for students - User Login to sign into your account.
• If you do not remember your log-in information, use the “Forgot User Name” feature to retrieve your log in credentials.
• If you no longer have access to the email address used to create the account, reach out to OSFA for assistance at 617-391-6070.

Below are some tips for account creation:

• Create your account using a computer (laptop or desktop), rather than a mobile device, if possible
• Use Microsoft Edge as a web browser when creating your account, if possible
• Use a personal email address to create your account
  • If you forget your username or password, this email address is where reset information will be sent
  • Do not use your school, work or parent’s email address to set up your account as you may lose access to these email addresses.
• If you receive an error message that your information “does not match”, verify that your information (name, SSN and date of birth are correct). You can also try clearing your internet browser history, opening a new browser, and creating the account again

If you need assistance logging in to your account, try the following:

• If you have forgotten your username, use the use the “Forgot User Name” feature on the login page. Note: You’ll need to enter the email address used to create the account
• If you remember your username but have forgotten your password, enter your username and then utilize the “forgot password” option on the password page
  • A temporary password will be sent to the email associated with your account
  • When you login with the temporary password, you will be prompted to create a new password
  • Check your spam/junk folder if you have not received the temporary password email within a couple of minutes

If you are still unable to resolve the issue, please contact OSFA for assistance at 617-391-6070.

Reach out to the community college where you are enrolled in or intend to enroll. Their financial aid office can help you find out what you are eligible for, including free tuition and fees.

The Massachusetts Assistance for Student Success Grant (MASSGrant) is a state-funded financial aid program that provides need-based financial assistance to eligible undergraduate students who are enrolled in and pursuing a program of study in any approved public or independent college, university, school of nursing, or other state approved institution of higher education.

To qualify, a student must be eligible for the Pell Grant program as determined by the US Department of Education, if eligible to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); or if ineligible to complete the FAFSA, meet the Student Aid Index (SAI) eligibility criteria established and calculated by the Massachusetts Application for State Financial (MASFA).

The Massachusetts Assistance for Student Success Grant Plus (MASSGrant Plus) is the Commonwealth’s Tuition-free assistance program for students enrolled at a public four-year institution and who meet the Pell Grant Student Aid Index (SAI) eligibility criteria.

For more information and to learn if you are eligible, please reach out directly to your college’s financial aid office.

The award letter provided to you by OSFA is based on the information we have received from your FAFSA (or MASFA) record.

• Your eligibility must be verified (certified) by the institution you are enrolled in.
• The institution is responsible for certifying that you meet all the MASSGrant award requirements, including being enrolled full-time (12 or more credits).
• The award amount is also subject to appropriation of funds by the Massachusetts Legislature, and the eligibility of your institution to participate in Massachusetts State financial aid programs.

Once the institution has certified your eligibility, OSFA will send the funds to the school on your behalf. OSFA does not send MASSGrant funds directly to students.

Review the MASSGrant award terms and conditions for more information.

The email or letter you received from OSFA states the reason(s) for your MASSGrant ineligibility. More detailed information on the ineligibility reason(s) and how to clear them, if applicable, is available in your MASSAid Student Portal account.

We strongly advise you to log in to your MASSAid Student Portal account, review the ineligible reason(s), and complete the recommended steps to clear the ineligibility, if possible.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has reciprocity agreements with the following states: Pennsylvania, Vermont and the District of Columbia.

If you are attending an eligible institution in any of those states, you may be able to transfer your MASSGrant award.

• For a complete list of programs, visit our Financial Aid Programs page.
• 2026-2027 Quick Guide

Massachusetts State Financial Aid is available to residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts under the Board of Higher Education Residency Policy pathway and to any student eligible under the High School Completer pathway. More details about these pathways are available online at In-State Tuition Rates and MA State Financial Aid / Massachusetts Department of Higher Education